Description
Crispy chicken meets dreamy creamy pasta in this irresistible Italian-inspired comfort dish. Perfectly golden chicken cutlets nestled among silky noodles promise a delightful dinner that satisfies deep cravings and brings pure joy to your plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Breading and Seasoning:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko recommended)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Cooking Fat:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Boil pasta in salted water following package guidelines, carefully preserving ½ cup of starchy cooking liquid before straining.
- Gently pound chicken breasts to ensure uniform thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin.
- Create a three-part coating process: first station with seasoned flour, second with whisked eggs, third with a blend of breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan mixed with dried herbs.
- Methodically dredge each chicken piece through flour, ensuring complete coverage, then dip thoroughly in egg wash, finally coating generously with herbed breadcrumb mixture.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature, allowing pan to become evenly warm before adding breaded chicken.
- Fry chicken pieces for approximately 4-5 minutes per side, rotating once to achieve a golden-brown exterior and ensuring internal temperature reaches safe cooking point.
- Remove chicken and set aside on paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil while maintaining crispness.
- Using identical skillet, reduce heat and melt butter, immediately adding minced garlic and sautéing until fragrant and slightly translucent.
- Pour heavy cream into garlic butter, incorporating Parmesan, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and Italian seasoning, stirring continuously.
- Gradually introduce reserved pasta water to create smooth, silky sauce consistency, simmering gently for 2-3 minutes.
- Introduce cooked pasta directly into cream sauce, tossing thoroughly to ensure complete and even coating.
- Slice crispy chicken diagonally and arrange atop creamy pasta, garnishing with additional Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- Pound chicken breasts evenly to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dry spots on thicker areas.
- Use Italian-seasoned breadcrumbs for extra flavor complexity if standard breadcrumbs feel too plain.
- Save pasta water as a secret weapon for creating silky, restaurant-quality sauce consistency that helps cheese and cream blend smoothly.
- Adjust cream sauce’s spiciness by increasing or decreasing red pepper flakes based on personal heat tolerance, making the dish adaptable for different flavor preferences.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg