If there was ever a recipe made for busy weeknights, this is it! This 5 Ingredient Baked Chicken Parmesan Pasta is one of those magical meals where everything goes right into one baking dish—no boiling the pasta, no pre-cooking the chicken, and barely any cleanup. Just combine five simple ingredients, pop it in the oven, and let dinner take care of itself. The pasta cooks right in the sauce while the chicken becomes tender and juicy, and the crispy Parmesan topping gives you all those classic chicken Parmesan flavors with almost none of the work. It’s a family favorite that always earns a spot in our dinner rotation! And because it has only 5 ingredients – it’s perfect for Five Ingredient Fridays!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Only 5 simple ingredients.
- Everything bakes together in one dish.
- No need to cook the pasta first.
- Minimal prep and easy cleanup.
- Kid-friendly and perfect for busy weeknights.
- Classic chicken Parmesan flavors with hardly any effort.
- Great for meal prep and leftovers.
What ingredients do you need to make baked chicken parmesan pasta?
- pasta sauce
- penne pasta (ziti works too)
- chicken breasts
- Panko breadcrumbs
- Parmesan cheese
While normally, when making a chicken pasta dish you would have multiple things to cook: you’d need to make the pasta, then the chicken, then the topping, then bake everything together. With this dish, it’s all done right there in the baking dish.
Tips for Success
- Make sure the pasta is mostly submerged in the water and sauce before baking so it cooks evenly.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with foil during the first part of baking to trap the steam that cooks the pasta (optional, I usually forget this lol)
- If the pasta isn’t quite tender when the timer goes off, simply recover and bake for another 5-10 minutes.
- For a crispier topping, broil for the last 1-2 minutes while keeping a close eye on it.
Customizations
This recipe is incredibly easy to make your own!
- Use penne, ziti, or another short pasta shape.
- Swap in marinara, roasted garlic, or spicy pasta sauce.
- Add Italian seasoning, garlic powder, or crushed red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
- Stir in fresh spinach during the last few minutes of baking.
- Add shredded mozzarella on top for an extra cheesy finish.
- Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.
Serving Suggestions
This meal is delicious on its own, but it’s even better served with:
- Garlic bread or breadsticks.
- A simple Caesar salad.
- Steamed broccoli or roasted green beans.
- A fresh arugula salad with balsamic vinaigrette.
- Roasted zucchini or asparagus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken thighs?
Yes! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully and stay extra juicy.
Can I make this ahead?
You can assemble everything in the baking dish several hours ahead, cover, and refrigerate until ready to bake.
How do I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Can I freeze it?
Yes. Let the casserole cool completely before freezing for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat until warmed through.
Can I add vegetables?
Absolutely! Spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, or broccoli are all great additions.
Some other recipes you might enjoy:
- Pressure Cooker Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
- Healthy Crockpot Turmeric Chicken & Potatoes
- Cheesy Chicken and Rice Enchilada Casserole
Recipes like this are exactly why I love simple dinners. With just five ingredients and one baking dish, you get a comforting, hearty meal that’s easy enough for even the busiest nights. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again because it’s reliable, delicious, and everyone at the table is happy. That’s a weeknight win in my book!
5 Ingredient Baked Chicken Parmesan Pasta
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup water
- 8 oz. pasta sauce 1 cup
- 8 oz. penne pasta ziti will work as well
- 1 lb. chicken 2 chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 oz. shredded Parmesan cheese 1/2 cup
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425. Spray an 8x8 inch square baking dish with cooking spray.
- Pour water and pasta sauce into the bottom of the baking dish and stir.
- Add noodles. Make sure noodles are submerged in sauce/water mixture
- Place raw chicken on top of noodles.
- Cover chicken breasts with Panko breadcrumbs
- Sprinkle a pinch of salt and pepper on top of breadcrumbs
- Sprinkle cheese on top of everything
- Bake at 425 for 35-40 minutes or until chicken reaches the correct internal temperature of 165 degrees
Notes
Nutrition
Sharon Knight says
Thanks!;
Sweetphi says
You’re so welcome!
Sharon says
We tried this one — delicious! I really like the ease and simplicity of this recipe!
Sweetphi says
So happy to hear this! I love how easy this one is and that you just put it in the oven and that’s it! Thanks for commenting and all your support 🙂