Description
This High Protein Chicken Parmesan Pasta recipe combines tender bite-sized chicken breast pieces with protein-enriched whole wheat pasta, all simmered in a flavorful marinara sauce and topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. It’s a delicious and nutritious meal perfect for a hearty lunch or dinner, offering a balanced mix of protein and wholesome ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 2 cups cooked whole wheat or protein-enriched pasta
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce and Cheese
- 2 cups marinara sauce (low-sugar preferred)
- ½ cup part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Chopped fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces, then sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper evenly over the chicken. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and thoroughly cooked, about 6-8 minutes.
- Combine Ingredients: Pour the marinara sauce into the skillet with the cooked chicken. Stir and allow the sauce to simmer gently over low heat for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Add Pasta: Add the cooked whole wheat or protein-enriched pasta into the skillet with the chicken and sauce. Stir well to combine all ingredients evenly and heat through for 2-3 minutes.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the pasta mixture. Cover the skillet with a lid and let it sit on low heat for about 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted completely.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and garnish the dish with freshly chopped basil or parsley. Serve warm and enjoy your protein-packed chicken Parmesan pasta.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in a bit of olive oil and Italian seasoning for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Use low-sugar marinara sauce to keep the dish healthier and lower in carbs.
- You can substitute part-skim mozzarella with a vegan cheese alternative to make this dish vegetarian-friendly.
- Serve with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: chicken parmesan pasta, high protein pasta recipes, healthy chicken dinner, whole wheat pasta recipe, low sugar marinara, easy chicken pasta
