Weeknight Wonder | Date Night Worthy | Crowd-Pleaser
This restaurant-quality pasta combines crispy garlic-Parmesan chicken with a velvety cream sauce for the ultimate 30-minute comfort meal. Perfect for busy nights yet impressive enough for special occasions!
Why You’ll Love This Dish
✨ Golden-Crisp Chicken – Double-coated in Parmesan and Italian herbs
🍝 Luxurious Sauce – Silky cream base with roasted garlic depth
⏱ Faster Than Takeout – Ready before delivery could arrive
♻️ Easy Customization – Add veggies or swap proteins
Key Ingredients & Swaps
| Ingredient | Role | Smart Subs |
|---|---|---|
| Chicken breasts | Protein star | Thin-cut pork chops |
| Italian breadcrumbs | Crunch | Panko or almond flour (GF) |
| Fresh Parmesan | Umami boost | Pecorino Romano |
| Heavy cream | Rich base | Half-and-half + butter |
| Penne pasta | Sauce hugger | Rigatoni or fusilli |
Pro Tip: Freeze chicken for 15 minutes before slicing for even cutlets!
Step-by-Step (Chef’s Secrets)
1. Crisp the Chicken
- Mix ½ cup Parmesan + 1 cup breadcrumbs + 1 tsp garlic powder
- Dredge 2 chicken breasts (thin-cut) → Pan-fry in 2 tbsp olive oil 4 mins/side
2. Cook Pasta Al Dente
- Boil 12 oz penne in salted water (reserve ½ cup pasta water!)
3. Build the Sauce
- Sauté 4 minced garlic cloves in 3 tbsp butter
- Whisk in 1 tbsp flour → Gradually add 1 cup broth + 1 cup cream
- Simmer until thickened → Stir in ½ cup Parmesan
4. Combine & Serve
- Toss pasta with sauce (add pasta water if needed)
- Top with sliced chicken, extra Parmesan, and fresh parsley
Meal Prep & Storage
🧊 Fridge: Store sauced pasta + chicken separately (3 days)
🔥 Reheat: Add splash of broth or cream to revive sauce
Serving Pairings
| Classic | Low-Carb | Vegetable Boost |
|---|---|---|
| Garlic bread | Zucchini noodles | Roasted broccoli |
| Caesar salad | Parmesan crisps | Sun-dried tomatoes |
FAQs:
Q: Can I use milk instead of cream?
A: Yes, but mix ¾ cup milk + ¼ cup melted butter for similar richness.
Q: How to prevent soggy chicken?
A: Pat cutlets dry before coating and don’t overcrowd the pan.
Q: Gluten-free version?
A: Use GF pasta + almond flour breading.
Nutrition (Per Serving)
Calories: 680 | Protein: 42g | Carbs: 55g | Fiber: 3g
*(With broccoli: +30 calories, +4g fiber)*
Ingredients
Steps
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