Herbed Chicken Marinara Penne
Herbed Chicken Marinara Penne
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
For the Pasta & Sauce
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, small, finely chopped
- 3 garlic, cloves, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, can
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar, to balance acidity
For Garnish & Serving
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, for serving
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
While the pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
⏱️ 3 min
- 3
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
⏱️ 7 min
- 4
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet. Add the chopped yellow onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
⏱️ 4 min
- 5
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
⏱️ 1 min
- 6
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), and granulated sugar. Stir well to combine. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 15 min
- 7
Return the cooked chicken to the marinara sauce. Add the drained penne pasta to the skillet with the chicken and sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
⏱️ 3 min
- 8
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped basil and grated Parmesan cheese.
⏱️ 2 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Herbed Chicken Marinara Penne
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
For the Pasta & Sauce
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt, for pasta water
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 yellow onion, small, finely chopped
- 3 garlic, cloves, minced
- 28 ounces crushed tomatoes, can
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar, to balance acidity
For Garnish & Serving
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, for serving
Instructions
- 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
While the pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
⏱️ 3 min - 3
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
⏱️ 7 min - 4
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet. Add the chopped yellow onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent.
⏱️ 4 min - 5
Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
⏱️ 1 min - 6
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, red pepper flakes (if using), and granulated sugar. Stir well to combine. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
⏱️ 15 min - 7
Return the cooked chicken to the marinara sauce. Add the drained penne pasta to the skillet with the chicken and sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
⏱️ 3 min - 8
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped basil and grated Parmesan cheese.
⏱️ 2 min