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One-pan cheesy chicken pasta alla Norma

One-pan cheesy chicken pasta alla Norma
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A creamy, rich, and flavorful one-pan cheesy chicken pasta alla Norma that combines tender chicken, roasted eggplant, juicy cherry tomatoes, and short pasta in a luscious Mediterranean-inspired sauce, perfect for quick and fuss-free weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 2 chicken breasts, tender and juicy

Vegetables

  • 1 medium eggplant, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Pasta & Liquids

  • 8 oz short pasta (penne or rigatoni)
  • 2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream or full-fat milk

Cheese & Herbs

  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Fresh basil leaves, a handful chopped

Others

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare and cook the chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then sear them in olive oil over medium-high heat until golden brown and cooked through. Remove them from the pan and set aside to rest.
  2. Roast the eggplant in the same pan: Add diced eggplant to the pan and sauté until tender and lightly browned, absorbing the chicken’s flavors left in the pan.
  3. Sauté aromatics and add tomatoes: Stir in chopped onions and garlic, cooking until fragrant, then toss in the cherry tomatoes to soften and release their juices.
  4. Add pasta, broth, and cream: Pour in the short pasta, vegetable or chicken broth, and cream. Stir everything together, ensuring the pasta is submerged midway, then bring to a simmer.
  5. Simmer and combine: Let the pasta cook, stirring occasionally, until tender and most of the liquid is absorbed into a creamy sauce.
  6. Finish with cheese, chicken, and basil: Slice the cooked chicken and fold it back into the pan along with grated Parmesan and fresh basil. Stir to combine and let everything warm through.

Notes

  • Prep ingredients ahead: Chop your veggies and measure spices before you start to keep the cooking smooth and stress-free.
  • Don’t skip searing the chicken: It locks in flavor and creates a tasty base for the eggplant and sauce.
  • Use a heavy-bottom pan: It distributes heat evenly for perfect cooking with less chance of burning.
  • Reserve a bit of pasta water: It helps loosen the sauce if it gets too thick while simmering.
  • Adjust creaminess: Swap some cream for milk or broth if you prefer it lighter but still want richness.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pan,pasta,chicken,cheesy,alla Norma,Italian,Mediterranean,quick dinner,weeknight meal

Find it online: https://gourmetglazing.com/one-pan-cheesy-chicken-pasta-alla-norma/