Three-Ingredient Chicken and Pasta Skillet
Simple pasta tossed with pan-seared chicken and marinara, finished with a sprinkle of cheese for a satisfying, weeknight-friendly meal. This italian-inspired kid friendly ready in about 30 minutes pairs spaghetti, chicken breasts, marinara sauce for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz spaghetti
- 1 lb chicken breasts
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti for 8-10 minutes until al dente, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook for 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken, slice thinly, and set aside.
- Step 3: Add marinara sauce to the skillet, then stir in drained pasta and 1/4 cup reserved pasta water. Toss until coated, then add sliced chicken and mozzarella. Cook for 2 more minutes until cheese melts.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Three-Ingredient Chicken and Pasta Skillet take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Three-Ingredient Chicken and Pasta Skillet?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep spaghetti from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Three-Ingredient Chicken and Pasta Skillet?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Three-Ingredient Chicken and Pasta Skillet for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Three-Ingredient Chicken and Pasta Skillet?
Italian kid friendly like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
So easy and delicious! My kids ate two helpings.
- ★★★★★
Perfect for busy weeknights. Only three ingredients, and it's a hit!
- ★★★★☆
Cooked it for my family, but it took longer than expected to cook the chicken evenly.
