Crunchy Chicken With Smooth Pasta Recipe

Crispy Chicken with Creamy Pasta Recipe: A Cozy Dinner Dream

Creamy pasta meets perfectly crispy chicken in a delightful culinary dance that promises pure comfort.

My kitchen experiments led me to this incredible combination that balances crunchy textures with smooth, velvety sauce.

Weeknight dinners just got a serious upgrade with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Simple ingredients transform into something magical when you know the right techniques.

Every bite delivers a satisfying crunch alongside silky noodles that melt in your mouth.

Home cooks will adore how quickly this dish comes together without sacrificing taste or quality.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe and make it your new go-to meal for instant dinner happiness.

Crispy Chicken with Creamy Pasta Delight

  • Craft Crispy Perfection: Master the art of creating golden, crunchy chicken with a perfectly seasoned breadcrumb coating that delivers an irresistible texture in every bite.
  • Create Restaurant-Quality Comfort: Transform your kitchen into a gourmet dining experience with a luxurious creamy pasta dish that rivals professional chef preparations.
  • Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe to suit personal preferences by adjusting seasonings, using different cheese varieties, or swapping protein types for a personalized meal.
  • One-Pan Wonder: Minimize kitchen cleanup with a streamlined cooking method that uses minimal cookware while maximizing flavor and culinary satisfaction.

Ingredients for Crispy Chicken with Pasta

Protein Base:
  • Chicken Breasts: A lean and tender meat that provides the main protein for this crispy dish.
  • Eggs: Helps create a sticky coating that allows breadcrumbs to adhere to the chicken.
Breading and Coating:
  • All-Purpose Flour, Breadcrumbs, Parmesan Cheese: Creates a golden, crispy exterior that adds texture and rich flavor to the chicken.
  • Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Paprika: Seasonings that enhance the overall taste profile of the chicken.
Pasta and Sauce Components:
  • Pasta: The base starch that serves as a delicious vehicle for the creamy sauce.
  • Butter, Olive Oil: Provides rich flavor and helps with cooking and sautĂ©ing.
  • Heavy Cream, Parmesan Cheese: Creates a luxurious and smooth sauce with a deep, cheesy flavor.
  • Garlic: Adds a robust and aromatic element to the sauce.
  • Italian Seasoning: Brings a blend of herbs that complement the creamy sauce.
Garnish:
  • Fresh Parsley: Adds a pop of color and fresh herb flavor to the finished dish.

Stepwise Cooking for Crispy Chicken Pasta

Step 1: Prep The Chicken

Grab chicken breasts and gently pound them until they’re uniformly flat. This helps ensure even cooking and tender meat.

Step 2: Season The Meat

Sprinkle salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika all over the chicken. Make sure each piece gets an even coating of delicious seasonings.

Step 3: Create Crispy Coating

Prepare three separate dishes:
  • Flour
  • Beaten eggs
  • Breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan cheese

Dip each chicken piece first in flour, then eggs, and finally roll in the breadcrumb mixture.

Step 4: Fry The Chicken

Heat a skillet with olive oil and butter over medium heat.

Carefully place chicken pieces in the pan and cook until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side.

Step 5: Cook The Pasta

Boil pasta in salted water following package directions.

Before draining, scoop out some pasta water and set aside.

Step 6: Create Creamy Sauce

In another skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant.

Add:
  • Heavy cream
  • Parmesan cheese
  • Italian seasoning
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Stir and let the sauce simmer gently.

Step 7: Adjust Sauce Consistency

Pour in reserved pasta water to reach your desired sauce thickness.

Step 8: Combine And Finish

Toss cooked pasta in the creamy sauce until completely coated. Slice the crispy chicken and place on top of the pasta.

Step 9: Serve And Enjoy

Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley and extra Parmesan cheese on top. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy your delicious meal!

Tips for Crispy Chicken with Pasta

  • Pound chicken breasts evenly to ensure uniform cooking and crispy texture throughout.
  • Use a meat tenderizer or rolling pin to achieve consistent thickness for perfect golden-brown results.
  • Mix breadcrumbs with Parmesan for extra flavor and crunch in the chicken coating.
  • Keep oil temperature moderate to prevent burning while achieving a crispy, golden exterior.
  • Reserve pasta water as a secret weapon to adjust sauce consistency and create a silky, smooth sauce that clings perfectly to pasta.

Variations for Crispy Chicken Pasta

  • Gluten-Free Chicken Pasta: Replace wheat flour and breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs. Use cornstarch for coating and gluten-free pasta for a celiac-friendly version.
  • Vegetarian Protein Swap: Substitute chicken with crispy tofu or plant-based chicken alternatives. Bread and cook similarly to maintain the original recipe's texture and flavor profile.
  • Low-Carb Zucchini Noodle Option: Replace traditional pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles. Keep the creamy sauce and crispy protein coating for a lighter, lower-carbohydrate meal.
  • Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and nutritional yeast in place of Parmesan. Select dairy-free butter alternatives for cooking to accommodate lactose-intolerant individuals.

Serving Suggestions for Crispy Chicken Pasta

  • Dinner Party Delight: Impress guests by arranging the crispy chicken slices in a fan pattern over creamy pasta, creating a restaurant-style presentation that looks elegant and professional.
  • Comfort Food Upgrade: Transform this dish into a cozy one-pan meal by mixing sliced chicken directly into the creamy pasta, allowing all flavors to blend perfectly for a hearty, satisfying dinner.
  • Leftover Magic: Repurpose extra chicken and sauce by turning them into a delicious lunch wrap or stuffing for sandwiches, maximizing the recipe's versatility and reducing food waste.
  • Quick Weeknight Hack: Prepare chicken and sauce ahead of time, then quickly reheat and combine with freshly cooked pasta for a speedy meal that tastes like it took hours to make.

FAQs

  • Why pound the chicken breasts?

Pounding ensures even cooking and helps the chicken cook quickly and uniformly without dry or undercooked spots.

  • Can I use different types of breadcrumbs?

Yes, you can use panko, Italian-style, or homemade breadcrumbs. Each will give a slightly different texture to the crispy coating.

  • How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). This guarantees the chicken is safe to eat and remains juicy.

  • What if my sauce is too thick or thin?

Adjust the consistency by adding reserved pasta water gradually. Start with small amounts to control the sauce’s thickness and achieve the perfect creamy texture.

Print
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Crunchy Chicken With Smooth Pasta Recipe

Crunchy Chicken With Smooth Pasta Recipe


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4.6 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x

Description

Crispy chicken with creamy pasta delivers a perfect blend of textures and flavors from Italian culinary traditions. Savory chicken and rich sauce combine for a satisfying meal you’ll want to devour with enthusiasm.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs (Panko or regular)
  • 12 cup (120 milliliters) grated Parmesan cheese

Seasoning Ingredients:

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste

Cooking Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter

Instructions

  1. Tenderize chicken breasts to uniform thickness, ensuring even cooking and crispy texture.
  2. Create a robust seasoning blend by generously coating chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika for depth of flavor.
  3. Develop a crispy coating by creating a three-stage breading process: dust chicken in flour, dip in beaten eggs, then roll in Parmesan-enhanced breadcrumbs.
  4. Prepare a skillet with a harmonious blend of olive oil and butter over medium heat, creating the perfect golden-brown environment.
  5. Fry chicken for approximately 3-4 minutes per side, achieving a crisp, golden exterior while maintaining juicy interior. Transfer to a waiting plate.
  6. Simultaneously cook pasta in generously salted water until al dente, preserving 1/2 cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining.
  7. Initiate sauce preparation by gently sautéing minced garlic in butter until aromatic and translucent.
  8. Craft a luxurious cream sauce by incorporating heavy cream, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, allowing flavors to meld and simmer.
  9. Adjust sauce consistency by gradually introducing reserved pasta water, creating a silky, clinging texture.
  10. Enrobe pasta completely in the velvety sauce, ensuring each strand is thoroughly coated.
  11. Artfully arrange sliced crispy chicken atop the creamy pasta, creating an appealing presentation.
  12. Elevate the dish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley and additional Parmesan, serving immediately while piping hot.

Notes

  • Achieve uniform chicken thickness by gently pounding between plastic wrap for even cooking and crispy texture.
  • Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally, preventing dryness while guaranteeing food safety.
  • Substitute gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour for a celiac-friendly version without compromising crispy coating.
  • Allow chicken to rest after cooking to retain juices and maintain maximum tenderness before slicing and serving.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Frying
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2
  • Calories: 690 kcal
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 480 mg
  • Fat: 38 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 43 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 45 g
  • Cholesterol: 260 mg
Jack Monroe

Jack Monroe

Founder & Recipe Innovator

Expertise

Pacific Northwest cuisine, Single-serving recipe development, Sustainable sourcing and cooking, Modern comfort food​

Education

Brightwater
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Sustainable cooking, seasonal ingredients, and food systems education


Jack grew up with a fishing rod in one hand and a cast-iron skillet in the other. After graduating from Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food, he set out to prove that cooking for one could still taste like a feast.
Jack believes that food should feel real: fresh, fearless, and a little wild, just like the rivers he grew up around. For Jack, every single dish is a small adventure, and the best ones are the ones you can cook with heart, not hassle.

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