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Crispy Chicken Creamy Pasta

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🍗 This Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pasta Southern Style combines tender crispy chicken with a rich, flavorful sauce for a comforting meal.
🍝 Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe delivers a creamy pasta dish with Southern-inspired Cajun seasoning for a delicious twist.

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound chicken cutlets or tenders

1 cup Panko breadcrumbs

1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese

4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Kosher salt and black pepper (to taste)

1 pound short cut pasta (such as penne or bow-tie)

1 medium yellow onion

2 chopped bell peppers

3 cloves garlic

34 teaspoons Cajun seasoning (homemade blend: smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried thyme, chili powder, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, and black pepper)

Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

2 cups milk

1/2 cup heavy cream or canned coconut milk

2 ounces cream cheese

2 tablespoons butter

Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

1-First, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook 1 pound of short cut pasta according to package directions until al dente; drain and set it aside.

2-Next, in a shallow bowl, mix 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, then press 1 pound chicken cutlets or tenders into this mixture to coat both sides firmly.

3-While that’s prepped, heat 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat and sauté 1 medium yellow onion until soft, about 5 minutes.

4-Add 2 chopped bell peppers and 3 cloves garlic; cook another 5 minutes until the peppers soften.

5-Stir in 3-4 teaspoons Cajun seasoning, a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes, kosher salt, and black pepper; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

6-Pour in 2 cups milk and 1/2 cup heavy cream or canned coconut milk, then add 2 ounces cream cheese and whisk until smooth.

7-Simmer the sauce gently for 5-8 minutes until it thickens slightly.

8-In a separate skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat and cook the chicken until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.

9-Season with kosher salt and slice thinly.

10-Finally, stir the remaining 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese into the sauce, add the cooked pasta, and cook for 3-5 minutes to blend the flavors.

11-Stir in chopped fresh parsley and serve the pasta topped with the sliced crispy chicken.

Notes

🧀 Use cream cheese sparingly to create a silky smooth sauce without overpowering.
🍗 Press the breadcrumb mixture firmly onto chicken for a crispy coating that stays.
🌶️ Customize the seasoning and add veggies like roasted broccoli or cherry tomatoes for extra flavor and color.

  • Author: Brandi Oshea
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Sautéing, Boiling
  • Cuisine: Southern American
  • Diet: Gluten (contains gluten in breadcrumbs and pasta)

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 505 kcal