Description
A delicious recipe featuring crispy pan-fried chicken breasts served atop creamy, buttery pasta with a rich Parmesan sauce. Perfect for a comforting dinner with an Italian-American flair.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (halved lengthwise)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 large egg (beaten)
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Vegetable oil for pan-frying
For the Pasta:
- 8 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to keep warm.
- Prepare Breading Station: Set up three shallow bowls—one with flour, one with beaten egg, and one with a mixture of panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bread the Chicken: Dredge each chicken cutlet first in flour, then dip into the beaten egg, and finally coat evenly with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
- Pan-Fry the Chicken: Heat about 1/4 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry each chicken cutlet for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer cooked chicken to a paper towel–lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Prepare Creamy Sauce: In a clean skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the sauce in the skillet and toss well to coat each strand evenly with the creamy Parmesan sauce.
- Serve: Slice the crispy chicken and serve it placed atop the creamy pasta. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- For a lighter alternative, bake the chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking.
- Add sautéed spinach or mushrooms to the creamy pasta for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Use panko breadcrumbs for extra crispiness in the chicken crust.
- Ensure not to overcrowd the skillet when frying to achieve even crisping.
