Say hello to your new favorite weeknight dinner: a super scrumptious, creamy Italian chicken and pasta skillet! This dish brings together tender chicken, a rich, zesty sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta, all in one pan. Topped with fresh basil, it’s a delightful and comforting meal that’s incredibly easy to prepare and makes fantastic leftovers for lunch the next day.

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One-Pot Wonder: The Ultimate Creamy Italian Chicken & Pasta Skillet

In the hustle and bustle of weekdays, finding a meal that is both satisfying and simple to make can feel like a culinary quest. That’s why I absolutely live for one-pot wonders like this Creamy Italian Chicken and Pasta Skillet! The sheer joy of being able to toss all your ingredients into a single pan, stir up a quick side salad, and then effortlessly sit down to a delicious dinner without a mountain of dishes staring back at you is truly unparalleled. Dinner truly tastes so much sweeter when you’re not preoccupied with the daunting thought of scrubbing pots and pans after enjoying your meal!

This incredibly flavorful skillet meal isn’t just easy; it’s a testament to how simple ingredients, combined strategically, can create magic. The secret weapon in this recipe? Kraft’s delicious Zesty Italian Anything Dressing. For as long as I’ve been cooking, this versatile dressing has been a steadfast staple in my kitchen. Its tangy, robust profile, bursting with the vibrant flavors of vinegar, red peppers, onions, and garlic, makes it the perfect base for countless dishes. From livening up simple salads to imparting a wonderful zest to skillet meals like this one, it’s a true culinary workhorse that consistently delivers exceptional taste with minimal effort. My husband, a connoisseur of comfort food, absolutely raves about this dish every time it graces our table.

The Magic of a One-Pan Meal: Simplify Your Dinner Routine

One-pot meals are more than just a trend; they’re a lifesaver for anyone navigating a busy schedule. The concept is beautifully simple: cook everything in one pan, from start to finish. This approach not only streamlines the cooking process but also significantly reduces cleanup time, giving you back precious moments to spend with loved ones or simply to relax. For families, the appeal is even greater, offering a wholesome, homemade meal without the usual kitchen chaos. This creamy Italian chicken and pasta skillet embodies all these benefits, proving that delicious, home-cooked food doesn’t have to be complicated.

Beyond the convenience, cooking pasta directly in the sauce, as we do in this recipe, allows it to absorb all the wonderful flavors, resulting in a deeper, more cohesive taste. The starch released from the pasta also helps to naturally thicken the sauce, creating that luscious, creamy texture we all crave. It’s a win-win situation, delivering maximum flavor with minimum fuss.

Crafting Flavor: A Closer Look at the Ingredients

Every ingredient in this Creamy Italian Chicken and Pasta Skillet plays a vital role in building its irresistible flavor profile. Let’s delve into what makes each component shine:

Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are chosen for their lean protein and quick cooking time. Cut into bite-sized pieces, they brown beautifully and soak up the zesty dressing, becoming tender and flavorful. You could also opt for boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a slightly richer flavor.
Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing: This isn’t just any dressing; it’s a flavor powerhouse. Acting as both the cooking oil and a marinade, its blend of vinegar, herbs, and spices infuses the chicken and vegetables with an authentic Italian taste from the very start. It’s the ultimate shortcut to a complex flavor.
Onions: Sautéing chopped yellow onions until translucent lays a sweet and aromatic foundation for the sauce, adding depth and a subtle sweetness that complements the tang of the dressing and tomatoes.
Diced Tomatoes and Tomato Sauce: These two tomato elements provide the robust, classic Italian base for our sauce. The diced tomatoes offer texture, while the smooth tomato sauce creates a rich, velvety consistency.
Artichoke Hearts: Drained and roughly chopped artichoke hearts introduce a wonderful, slightly tangy, and earthy flavor. They add a sophisticated touch and a delightful chewiness that pairs perfectly with the chicken and pasta.
Italian Seasoning and Crushed Red Pepper Flakes: A good quality Italian seasoning blend brings a symphony of dried herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary. The crushed red pepper flakes add a gentle warmth and a subtle kick, easily adjustable to your preferred spice level.
Philadelphia Cream Cheese: This is where the “creamy” in our “Creamy Italian Chicken Pasta Skillet” truly comes from. Cubed and softened, it melts into the simmering sauce, transforming it into a luxurious, smooth, and decadent coating for every piece of chicken and pasta.
Uncooked Whole Grain Pasta: Cooking the pasta directly in the sauce is key. Whole grain pasta adds a slightly nutty flavor and extra fiber, but any short pasta shape like rotini, penne, or fusilli will work beautifully. It absorbs all the delicious flavors of the sauce as it cooks to al dente perfection.
Fresh Parsley or Basil: A final sprinkle of fresh, vibrant herbs like parsley or basil before serving adds a burst of fresh flavor and color, elevating the dish from delicious to absolutely irresistible.

The Cooking Process: From Skillet to Supper

Let’s walk through the simple yet satisfying journey of bringing this Creamy Italian Chicken and Pasta Skillet to life. It all starts in a large skillet, heated to medium-high, where the fragrant Zesty Italian dressing begins to warm and sizzle. The moment you add the bite-sized chicken pieces and chopped onions, the aroma fills your kitchen, promising a delightful meal ahead. The chicken browns beautifully, locking in its juices, while the onions soften and turn translucent, releasing their sweet essence into the pan.

Next, a vibrant medley of flavors joins the party: rich tomato sauce, sweet diced tomatoes, tangy artichoke hearts, aromatic Italian seasoning, and a hint of crushed red pepper flakes for a subtle warmth. Everything is stirred together, covered, and brought to a gentle boil, then reduced to a simmer, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen into a savory embrace. The anticipation builds as the sauce bubbles softly.

The game-changer moment arrives with the introduction of cubed cream cheese. As it melts and is stirred into the simmering sauce, watch as the concoction transforms into a wonderfully smooth, creamy, and luscious base. Finally, your favorite uncooked pasta goes right into this velvety sauce, absorbing all its goodness as it cooks to perfection. No need for a separate pot for pasta; it’s all happening right here, baby! Once the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened beautifully, a generous sprinkle of fresh parsley or basil adds a final flourish of color and freshness. Voila! Dinner is served, and it’s spectacular.

Serving Suggestions and Customization

This Creamy Italian Chicken and Pasta Skillet is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad dressed with a light vinaigrette and a side of crusty garlic bread to soak up every last drop of that incredible sauce. For added vegetables, consider stirring in a handful of fresh spinach during the last few minutes of cooking, or sautéing some sliced mushrooms with the chicken and onions. You can also experiment with different types of cheese, perhaps a sprinkle of grated Parmesan or Pecorino Romano for a sharper finish.

Leftovers and Meal Prep

One of the best things about this dish, apart from its ease and incredible flavor, is how well it keeps. Leftovers are often even more delicious as the flavors have more time to meld. Store any remaining portions in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water if the sauce has become too thick. It’s perfect for a quick and satisfying lunch or another hassle-free dinner.

Creamy Italian Chicken & Pasta Skillet Recipe

Get ready to cook up this easy and delicious one-pot meal. This recipe guarantees flavor and minimal cleanup!

Ingredients

For the Skillet:

1/4 cup Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 breasts), cut into bite-sized pieces
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 (8 oz. each) cans tomato sauce
1 (14.5 oz.) can diced tomatoes, drained
1 (14.5 oz.) can artichoke hearts, drained and roughly chopped
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
4 oz. Philadelphia Cream Cheese (1/2 of an 8-oz. pkg.), cubed and softened
2 1/2 cups uncooked whole grain pasta (such as rotini, penne, or fusilli)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or basil, for garnish

Instructions

In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat the Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing over medium-high heat. Once the dressing is hot and shimmering, add the bite-sized chicken pieces and chopped yellow onions. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is mostly cooked through and the onions have softened and become translucent.
Next, stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, drained and chopped artichoke hearts, Italian seasoning, and crushed red pepper flakes. Give everything a good stir to combine all the ingredients thoroughly. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
Uncover the skillet and stir in the cubed and softened Philadelphia Cream Cheese until it is fully melted and blended into the sauce, creating a rich, creamy consistency. Once the sauce is smooth, add the uncooked pasta directly into the skillet. Stir well to ensure the pasta is fully submerged in the sauce. Cover again and continue to simmer, cooking the pasta according to its package instructions (typically around 10-12 minutes for rotini), stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The pasta will absorb the liquid and cook to a perfect al dente texture in the flavorful sauce.
Once the pasta is tender and the sauce has thickened, remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the fresh chopped parsley or basil. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary. Serve immediately while hot.
Enjoy this incredibly flavorful and easy one-pot creamy Italian chicken and pasta skillet with your family and friends!

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In conclusion, this Creamy Italian Chicken and Pasta Skillet isn’t just a recipe; it’s a solution for delightful, stress-free dining. It combines the ease of a one-pot meal with the rich, comforting flavors of Italian cuisine, all made accessible with the help of a versatile ingredient like Zesty Italian dressing. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or just starting your culinary journey, this dish promises to deliver big on flavor with minimal effort. Give it a try this week, and prepare to add a new favorite to your dinner rotation!