No-Boil Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe
by Sommer Collier — last updated on Feb 22, 2025 
No-Boil Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe: An Easy Baked Pasta recipe loaded with protein and cheese! Our no-boil baked pasta method is quick and simple.
Why We Love This No Boil Chicken Parm Pasta Recipe
Parents… We are always on the lookout for a quick and approachable midweek dinner ideas, aren’t we?
I can’t think of a more family-friendly dinner than a classic Baked Pasta Recipe. It’s easy for mom or dad to prep and pop in the oven within 20 minutes of arriving home from work.
Most baked pasta recipes are fairly well-balanced in carbs, protein, and veggies.
You can usually prepare them in advance, so you only need to move one pan, from the fridge to the oven, when it’s time for dinner.
Yet best of all, everyone gets a heaping scoop of steaming comfort, oozing with molten cheese.
Dinner. Is. Served.
This super simple no-boil pasta bake has all the flavors of heavy Chicken Parmesan and Pasta. Yet it’s lighter on the hips, and much more user-friendly.
I think we can all appreciate that!
Ingredients You Need
Here’s what you will need to make our No-Boil Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe…
- Small dried pasta – fusilli, rotini, rigatoni, or penne pasta all work!
- Boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces – or skinless, boneless chicken breast
- Butter
- Onion
- Garlic
- Italian seasoning
- Marinara sauce – store-bought or homemade)
- Fresh basil – optional
- Mozzarella cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Panko breadcrumbs
How to Make Chicken Parmesan Baked Pasta
Place the dried pasta in a large bowl. Add very hot tap water. Stir, then allow the pasta to soak for 20 minutes.
Set a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic. Sauté for 2 minutes. Then add in the chicken pieces and Italian seasoning. Stir and cook the chicken for 3-5 minutes.
Stir in the marinara sauce and chopped basil.
Drain the soaked pasta. Dump the pasta in the baking dish. Then stir in the marinara and shredded mozzarella. Spread the pasta out in an even layer. (This can all be done in a large oven-proof skillet for a One-Pot Recipe.)
Sprinkle more mozzarella and parmesan cheese over the top of the pasta. Sprinkle with panko breadcrumbs.
Place in the oven until bubbly!
Get the Full (Printable) No-Boil Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe Below
Tips & Tricks
- The key to any no-boil pasta recipe is to either soak the pasta before baking, or to add water to the baking dish for the pasta to absorb as it bakes.
- Personally, I find when you add water to a pasta sauce, sometimes it negatively affects the consistency of the sauce. However, when you soak the dried pasta in water as you prepare the other ingredients, it softens and is ready to cook through as it bakes.
- For a bit of heat, feel free to add a dash of red pepper flakes to the mix!
- Serve your chicken parmesan baked pasta with a side of garlic bread and a fresh side salad!
Chicken Parmesan Pasta Casserole Recipe Variations
This simple Chicken Parmesan Pasta Bake recipe offers so many options…
- You can boil the pasta, or skip the boiling.
- You can use a baking dish, or make a One-Pot version in a large oven-proof skillet.
- You can use fresh herbs from your garden, or stick with dried herbs.
- You can buy jarred marinara, you use homemade marinara.
- You can use regular wheat pasta, or gluten-free pasta. (And also swap the panko for gluten-free breadcrumbs.)
- You can add additional sauteed veggies. (Add them in when you sauté the onions.)
- You can even omit the chicken.
No matter how you tweak it, this dish still tastes fresh and inviting!
Freezing Instructions
You can freeze this Chicken Parmesan Baked Pasta either before or after baking.
Unbaked: Once assembled, cover the top with foil. Then wrap the entire dish in plastic. Freeze for up to 3 months.
When ready to use, remove the plastic (keep the foil on) and bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour.
Baked: If you are freezing leftovers, let them thaw at room temperature before reheating. Then bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicken parmesan is an Italian dish that is made from breaded chicken that is covered in tomato sauce and cheese, usually mozzarella and parmesan cheese. It is then baked to melt the cheese and often served with pasta! This no boil chicken parmesan pasta is inspired by chicken parmesan and has all of the same flavors, in an easy one-pot recipe!
Absolutely! For easy, you can opt to use some shredded rotisserie chicken instead of cooking your own chicken.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave, top with some more cheese and enjoy!
Looking for More Baked Pasta Recipes? Be Sure to Also Try:
- No-Boil Baked Ziti with Sausage and Ricotta
- Cowboy Chili Lasagna
- Ricotta Stuffed Shells
- Baked Spaghetti Pie
- Supreme Pizza Lasagna
- Chicken Parmesan Stuffed Shells
- Cheesy Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake
- Enchilada-Style Mexican Stuffed Shells
No-Boil Chicken Parmesan Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound small dried pasta (fusilli or rotini)
- 1 pound boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 cup diced onion
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 48 ounces marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil (optional)
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- No-Boil Method: Place the dried pasta in a large bowl. Add a generous spoonful of salt and fill the bowl with very hot tap water. Stir well, then allow the pasta to soak for 20 minutes. (You can also boil the pasta according to package instructions.)
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Set out a large 9X13 inch baking dish. (Or make a one-pot version, using an XL oven-proof skillet.)
- Set a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons butter. Once melted, add the onions and garlic. Sauté for 2 minutes. Then add in the chicken pieces and Italian seasoning. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Stir and cook the chicken for 3-5 minutes.
- Stir in the marinara sauce and chopped basil. Turn off the heat.
- Drain the pasta. Dump the pasta in the baking dish. Then stir in the marinara and 2 cups of shredded mozzarella. Spread the pasta out in an even layer. (This can all be done in a large oven-proof skillet.)
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and the parmesan over the top of the pasta.
- Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and toss it with the panko breadcrumbs. Then sprinkle the panko over the top of the pasta dish.
- Bake for 30 minutes, until the edges are bubbly and the top is golden.
These are my favorite kind of recipes to find. Easy and no extra crazy steps. And it was delicious my family loved it.
Love this pasta recipe! Such a hit with the whole family!
This turned out incredible! I love that you didn’t have to boil the pasta, and it saved me a step. Thank you!
Made this last night and boyfriend and I devoured it!! Such a good combo of flavors and the recipe is incredibly forgiving (swaps are easy to make). Reheating the leftovers today for dinner!! Thank you!
This is legit one of my favorite pasta chicken dishes!
Oh my goodness, such a great pasta dish!