One-Pot Chicken Pasta

One-Pot Chicken Pasta

A delicious one-pot chicken pasta recipe perfect for Canadian home cooks. Ready in 30 minutes.

Prep Time

10 min

Cook Time

20 min

Servings

4

Calories

480

Ingredients

  • 400 g pasta
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • Salt, pepper, and fresh herbs
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Instructions

  1. 1

    Prepare Ingredients

    Gather and prep all ingredients. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.

  2. 2

    Cook the Pasta

    Cook pasta according to package directions minus 1 minute for al dente. Reserve 1 cup pasta water before draining.

  3. 3

    Build the Sauce

    In a large skillet over medium heat, prepare the sauce base with aromatics and main flavouring ingredients.

  4. 4

    Combine

    Add drained pasta directly to the sauce. Toss to coat, adding pasta water as needed to achieve desired consistency.

  5. 5

    Serve

    Plate immediately, garnish with fresh herbs and grated cheese. Serve with crusty bread on the side.

Chef's Notes

β€œThe key to one-pot pasta is getting the liquid ratio right. I use exactly 3 cups of liquid per 350g of dried pasta.”

β€” Chef Luca Bianchi

About This Recipe

There's something deeply satisfying about pulling one pot off the stove and having dinner ready to go. This chicken pasta builds its sauce right from diced tomatoes, garlic, and pan juices, so every strand of pasta soaks up that saucy, herby flavour instead of sitting under it. The chicken stays juicy because it simmers gently in the tomato base rather than drying out on its own.

Canadian home cooks reach for this one on busy weeknights because it uses one skillet, pantry staples like canned tomatoes, and skips the separate sauce pot entirely. A dusting of Parmesan and fresh herbs at the end makes it feel like something you'd order at a neighbourhood Italian spot, not a Tuesday night scramble.

Tips for the Best One-Pot Chicken Pasta

Sear the chicken first so it browns before the tomatoes go in β€” that fond is where most of the flavour lives. Keep a full cup of starchy pasta water on hand; you'll need more than you think to loosen the sauce once the Parmesan melts in.

What to Serve With It

Serve straight from the skillet with warm crusty bread for scooping up extra sauce, and a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut the richness. A glass of Ontario Chardonnay or a cold Canadian lager both work nicely alongside the tomato and garlic notes.

Storage & Reheating

Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat with a splash of water or broth to bring the sauce back to life, since the pasta will have soaked up moisture overnight.

Nutrition Facts

480

cal

18g

Protein

25g

Fat

45g

Carbs

8g

Fiber

656mg

Sodium

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?+

Yes, thighs stay juicier through the simmer and add richer flavour to the tomato sauce; just trim excess fat and cut into bite-size pieces before searing.

What pasta shape works best?+

Short shapes like penne or rotini hold the chunky tomato sauce well, but spaghetti or linguine work fine too as long as you toss thoroughly with reserved pasta water.

My sauce turned out too thick, what do I do?+

Stir in more of the reserved pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, over low heat until the sauce loosens back to a silky, coatable consistency.

Can I make this dairy-free?+

Skip the Parmesan or use a dairy-free hard cheese alternative; the tomato and garlic base already carries plenty of flavour without needing dairy for richness.

How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?+

Cut into the thickest piece; it should be opaque throughout with no pink, and an instant-read thermometer should read 74Β°C (165Β°F).

Tips & Tricks

  • β€’Reserve pasta water β€” it's the secret to a silky sauce.
  • β€’Don't rinse pasta after cooking unless making a cold salad.
  • β€’Finish cooking pasta in the sauce for 1-2 minutes to marry flavours.

Reviews (3)

Lisa P.β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

Made this for a dinner party and everyone wanted the recipe. It's impressive enough for guests but easy enough for Tuesday night.

Robert B.β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

Five stars! The flavour combination is spot on. I added a little extra garlic because that's how we like it, and it was incredible.

Jennifer K.β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

This is now our go-to weeknight dinner. Ready in under 30 minutes and tastes like it took hours. My kids ask for seconds every time.