One Pan Chicken Parmesan – Delicious and Easy!

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use. This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

Follow us on Instagram for more fun food ideas for kids!

One Pan Chicken Parmesan is a dish that is both delicious and easy to make. All you need is one pan, some frozen chicken tenders, pasta, pasta sauce, and mozzarella cheese to make this simple 4 ingredient dinner! 

You’ll have a delicious meal in no time! This one pan pasta dish is perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. It’s also a great option for feeding a crowd.

Btw, if you love parmesan chicken, you’ll also love this chicken parmesan pull apart bread! 

Whether you’re feeding your family or friends, One Pan Chicken Parmesan is sure to please. 

This dish is also great for leftovers. Simply reheat and enjoy! This dish is sure to become a new family favorite for busy weeknights or lazy weekends.

In this article, we’ll show you how to make One Pan Chicken Parmesan. We’ll also provide some tips and tricks for making the best One Pan Chicken Parmesan. So, let’s get started!

One Pan Chicken Parmesan – Ingredients

• Bag of frozen chicken tenders
• One pound of cooked pasta (your choice; we used rigatoni here)
• One jar of your favorite marinara sauce (we used Rao’s brand)
• A cup of shredded mozzarella cheese

How To Cook One Pan Chicken Parmesan

Step 1: Prepare The Ingredients

The secret to this easy pasta dish is using air fryer frozen chicken tenders! Simply bake your favorite brand of chicken tenders in the air fryer  or oven per the package instructions until crispy and cooked.

While your air fryer is going, reheat your oven to 400 degrees. Then, spray a 10×10 baking dish with cooking spray or brush with olive oil. 

Next, add your cooked pasta to pan, along with the cooked chicken tenders, pasta sauce, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese to the dish. Try to layer the ingredients in the order of noodles, chicken, pasta sauce, then cheese. 

If you have time, you can also add some chopped veggies to the dish. Veggies are optional, but they will add some extra nutrition to your meal.

Step 2: Place it into the Oven

Once everything is in the pan, bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and melted. 

When it’s finished cooking, remove the pan from the oven and allow to sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. 

This will allow the sauce to thicken and the flavors to meld. If you’re in a hurry, you can still enjoy your One Pan Chicken Parmesan right away. 

Step 3: Remove from Oven and Serve

Now, it’s time to serve! One Pan Chicken Parmesan can be served as is or with a side of breadsticks or salad.  

A delicious and easy One Pan Chicken Parmesan dish that is sure to please. With just a few simple ingredients and some easy steps, you’ll have a delicious meal in no time. 

Be sure to try this dish the next time you’re looking for an easy and tasty meal. This dish is also great for leftovers. Simply reheat and enjoy!

Variations of One Pan Chicken Parmesan

Bacon Chicken Parmesan

One of the great things about chicken parmesan is that it’s so versatile. While the classic dish is always a hit, there are endless ways to change it up. 

One delicious variation is adding bacon to the mix. The bacon adds a delicious smoky flavor and hearty texture to the dish. We loved our chicken and bacon pasta, so this would work great!

To make this dish, simply cook the bacon in the frying pan before adding the chicken. Once the chicken is cooked through, top with bacon and your favorite cheese. 

BBQ Chicken Parmesan

BBQ Chicken Parmesan is a delicious twist on a classic dish! This dish starts with BBQ sauce, which gives the chicken a fantastic flavor. 

The chicken is then cooked in the sauce until it’s cooked through. Once cooked, it’s topped with cheese and put under the broiler for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. 

Serve over pasta and enjoy! This dish is sure to become a new family favorite!

Shrimp Parmesan

Shrimp Parmesan is a delicious variation on the classic dish. This dish is easy to prepare and can be on the table in no time! Start by cooking your some frozen breaded shrimp according to package directions. 

While the shrimp is cooking, prepare your sauce and pasta as described above. Once everything is cooked, combine in the same pan and top with cheese. 

If you’re looking for a little extra flavor, try adding some garlic to the dish.

Mushroom Parmesan

This variation on one pan chicken parmesan is perfect for mushroom lovers or a vegetarian option to this dish. Look for frozen breaded mushrooms and cook according to recipe or package directions. 

While the mushrooms are cooking, prepare your sauce and pasta as described above. Once everything is cooked, combine in the same pan and top with cheese. 

This dish is packed with flavor and is sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. So, don’t hesitate to give it a try the next time you’re looking for a new twist on this classic.

One Pan Chicken Parmesan – What to Serve with it

Salad

A simple green salad is a great way to lighten up this dish. Add some cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions to your salad for extra flavor and color. 

Many people also like to add croutons or cheese to their salad. If you’re feeling adventurous, try making your own dressing! 

There are many easy recipes online or you can buy a bottle of your favorite dressing at the store. Plus, it’s a great way to use up any leftover ingredients you have.

Garlic Bread

Garlic bread is the perfect accompaniment to One Pan Chicken Parmesan. The garlic butter adds a richness and depth of flavor to the dish, while the bread is perfect for soaking up sauce. 

For an extra touch of indulgence, you can top your garlic bread with some shredded mozzarella cheese. You can even make your own garlic bread! 

There are many easy recipes online or you can buy a loaf of bread from the store and add your own garlic butter.

Roasted Vegetables

Roasted vegetables are the perfect side dish to chicken parmesan. Similarly to broccoli pasta, vegetables can add a nice touch to otherwise bland pasta.

Cut up your favorite veggies into bite-size pieces, drizzle them with olive oil, and season them with salt and pepper. Then roast in the oven for about 20 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Roasted vegetables are a great way to get your daily dose of veggies, and they make a delicious and healthy accompaniment to chicken parmesan.

Mashed Potatoes

Creamy potatoes are the perfect foil for chicken, and they make a great alternative to pasta. 

Simply boil some potatoes until they are soft, mash them up with some butter, milk, and salt and pepper to taste. If you’re feeling fancy, you can even add some green onions. 

Mashed potatoes are a great way to bulk up this dish and make it a bit more filling. Also, they’re a great way to use up any leftover potatoes you have.

Rice

Rice is a great option for this dish instead of pasta. You can make plain white rice or jazz it up by adding some sautéed onions, garlic, and peppers. 

I like to use basmati rice because it’s light and fluffy, but you can use any type of rice you like. If you’re short on time, you can even use Minute Rice. 

Just be sure to follow the package directions carefully so that your rice comes out perfectly cooked. Serve the rice alongside the chicken parmesan and enjoy!

Substitutions for One Pan Chicken Parmesan 

Substitution #1: Chicken Breasts vs. Nuggets 

If you have chicken breasts, great! If you have nuggets, that’s fine too. Both cuts of chicken will work equally well in this dish. 

However, if you do use breasts, we recommend pan frying in Panko bread crumbs to give it a light crumb reminiscent of classic Chicken Parmesan. 

If you’re looking for a super quick option, a bag of frozen chicken nuggets is the way to go. But if you’re looking for more flavor and a healthier choice, chicken breasts are the way to go.

Substitution #2: Other Types of Pasta 

We love Rigatoni with this dish because it’s easy and it soaks up all of that sauce so well. 

However, if you don’t have Rigatoni on hand (or if you’re simply looking for a change), any type of pasta will work in its place. Spaghetti is actually a classic pasta to serve with Parmesan Chicken!

Penne, or even macaroni and cheese would be delicious with this dish. Just be sure to adjust the cooking time so that your pasta is cooked al dente according to package directions. 

Substitution #3: Marinara Sauce vs. Tomato Sauce 

Marinara sauce is a favorite for many for this dish because it has such great flavor. It’s also a bit thinner than tomato sauce, so it’s less likely to become watery during the cooking process. 

However, if you don’t have any on hand or you’re looking for a shortcut, feel free to use tomato sauce instead. Tomato sauce works well in many types pf pastas, such as taco pasta!

You may need to add a bit more seasoning (oregano, basil, garlic, etc.) to really give it that signature chicken parm flavor, but it will still be delicious nonetheless. 

Substitution #4: Fresh Mozzarella vs. Shredded Mozzarella 

This dish is traditionally made with shredded mozzarella, but if you don’t have any on hand, fresh mozzarella will work just fine. 

We recommend using the low-moisture, part-skim variety for the best results. You can also use shredded cheddar cheese in a pinch, but it will change the flavor of the dish slightly. 

While we’re on the topic of cheese, feel free to use as much or as little as you like. We typically use about 1 cup per dish, but you can adjust according to your taste.

Substitution #5: Olive oil vs. Vegetable oil 

We brushed the pan with olive oil because we think it gives the dish a more authentic flavor. However, if you don’t have any on hand, vegetable oil will work just as well. 

Many people also prefer to use vegetable oil because it has a higher smoke point, which means it can be heated to a higher temperature before it starts to smoke. 

If you do use olive oil, be sure to use a light variety so that it doesn’t overpower the other flavors in the dish. This is especially important if you’re using a really good quality olive oil.

Benefits of Cooking One Pan Chicken Parmesan

Fewer Dishes to Wash

With One Pan Chicken Parmesan, you can enjoy your meal without worrying about a mountain of dishes later. This dish only dirties one pan, which means less time spent cleaning up!

This dish is perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends, when all you want to do is relax. And because it only dirties one pan, cleanup is a breeze.

If you’re cooking for a large group, the amount of dishes can really start to add up. But with One Pan Chicken Parmesan, you only have to worry about one pan. 

Quick and Easy to Make

If you’re looking for a delicious and easy-to-make chicken dish, then look no further than one pan of chicken parmesan. 

This dish is packed with flavor and comes together in just minutes, making it the perfect weeknight meal. And because it’s all cooked in one pan, there’s minimal cleanup required. 

If you’re short on time, you can even make the dish ahead of time and just reheat it when you’re ready to eat. So, you’ll be able to enjoy a delicious meal even on the busiest of nights.

Budget-Friendly

Chicken Parmesan can be quite budget-friendly. Frozen chicken tenders are usually more affordable than fresh chicken, and the rest of the ingredients are pantry staples that you probably have already. 

So if you’re looking for an inexpensive meal that doesn’t skimp on flavor, this is it! This dish is also perfect for feeding a large crowd, as it can be easily doubled or tripled. 

If you’re feeding a smaller group, you can also make this dish ahead of time and freeze the leftovers for another day.

Kid-Friendly

This dish is also kid-friendly, which makes it perfect for families. Kids love chicken Parmesan because it’s both tasty and easy to eat—no forks required! 

And since the chicken is baked or air-fried t’s a healthier option than some other kid-friendly meals out there. You can also easily customize this dish to your child’s liking. 

 If the kids prefer their chicken plain, you can leave off the sauce and cheese.

Leftovers Taste Even Better 

If you find yourself with leftovers (lucky you!), know that they’ll taste even better the next day—just like all good comfort food should. 

Many people also find that this dish tastes even better when made ahead of time and allowed to sit overnight. 

This makes it the perfect meal to prepare ahead of time for busy weeknights. Simply make the dish in its entirety and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to eat.

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect One Pan Chicken Parmesan

Use Organic or Best Quality Chicken 

If you have the option go for the highest quality frozen chicken tenders like organic breaded chicken breast tenders. You’ll taste the difference than other breaded versions that use rib meats.

Use High-Quality Tomato Sauce

This recipe is all about simplicity, so be sure to use a good quality tomato sauce. You can always make your own tomato sauce or simply stick to your favorite store-bought jarred sauce. 

Just be sure to taste it before using it in the recipe so that you can adjust the seasoning as needed. If the sauce is too acidic, you can add a bit of sugar to balance it out. 

Many jarred sauces also contain a lot of sodium, so you may want to add less salt to the recipe if using one of these.

Add Herbs to the Tomato Sauce

This is an optional tip, but if you want to take your chicken parmesan to the next level, simply add some fresh herbs to the tomato sauce. Basil and oregano are great choices. 

Simply add them to the sauce or on top of the baked pasta dish. 

Add a Bit of Cream to the Sauce

This is another optional tip, but if you want a richer, more flavorful sauce, simply add a bit of cream to it. This will give the sauce a silky smooth texture and a slightly sweet flavor. 

Start with just a few tablespoons and add more to taste. You can also use half and half or milk in place of the cream, although the sauce will be thinner. 

If you’re dairy-free, you can simply omit this ingredient. While the sauce won’t be as rich, it will still be delicious. 

Takeaway

Now that you know how to make the perfect one pan chicken parmesan, it’s time to get cooking! This dish is simple, flavorful, and sure to please even the pickiest of eaters. 

And best of all, it can be on the table in just 30 minutes. If you’re looking for a meal that is sure to please, give this one a try. You won’t be disappointed. 

Many people also find that this dish tastes even better when made ahead of time and allowed to sit overnight. 

This makes it the perfect meal to prepare ahead of time for busy weeknights. Simply make the dish in its entirety and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to eat.