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Ground Chicken Parmesan Skillet - A Cozy, One-Pan Dinner

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound ground chicken (93–96% lean works best)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (or a mix of oregano and basil)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
  • 1 cup low-sodium marinara sauce (use a brand you like)
  • 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth or water
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella (low-moisture, part-skim melts well)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste (optional, for deeper tomato flavor)
  • Fresh basil, torn, for garnish
  • Cooked pasta, crusty bread, or zucchini noodles for serving (optional)

Method
 

  1. Heat the skillet. Set a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil. When it shimmers, add the onion and a pinch of salt. Cook 3–4 minutes until softened.
  2. Add garlic and seasonings. Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Cook 30 seconds until fragrant, stirring so the garlic doesn’t brown.
  3. Brown the chicken. Push the onions to the edges. Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and the ground chicken to the center. Sprinkle with salt and black pepper. Cook 5–7 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon until no pink remains and you get a few golden bits for flavor.
  4. Build the sauce. Stir in tomato paste (if using) and cook 1 minute. Pour in marinara and chicken broth. Scrape up any browned bits from the pan. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
  5. Add Parmesan. Stir in half of the Parmesan until it melts into the sauce. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. The mixture should be saucy but not watery.
  6. Top with cheese. Sprinkle the mozzarella evenly over the skillet, then top with remaining Parmesan. Cover with a lid and cook 2–3 minutes until the cheese melts. If your skillet is oven-safe, you can also broil 1–2 minutes for golden spots. Watch closely.
  7. Finish and serve. Remove from heat. Garnish with torn basil. Serve over pasta, spoon onto toasted bread, or keep it lighter with sautéed greens or zucchini noodles.