Description
This Southern Style Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a flavorful and comforting dish that combines crispy Parmesan-coated chicken with a rich, creamy Cajun-spiced sauce and tender pasta. Perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner, it features sautéed peppers and onions to add vibrant color and depth of flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 lb chicken cutlets or tenders
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Pasta
- 1 lb short cut pasta (such as penne or rigatoni)
Vegetables and Sauce
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 bell peppers, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
- 3-4 tsp Cajun seasoning
- Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
- 2 cups milk
- ½ cup heavy cream or canned coconut milk
- 2 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes depending on the pasta type. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Prepare the Chicken: In a shallow dish, combine Panko breadcrumbs and 1 ½ cups grated Parmesan cheese. Season the chicken cutlets with kosher salt and black pepper, then dredge each piece thoroughly in the breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook the coated chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove from heat and slice into strips.
- Make the Pasta Sauce: In the same skillet, sauté the chopped onion, bell peppers, and garlic until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the Cajun seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes to taste. Pour in the milk, heavy cream (or coconut milk), and add the cream cheese. Stir frequently and simmer gently until the sauce thickens, about 5-8 minutes.
- Combine and Serve: Stir additional grated Parmesan cheese into the sauce for extra creaminess. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly with the sauce. Plate the pasta and top with the sliced Parmesan chicken strips. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use fresh grated Parmesan for best flavor and texture.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes based on your preferred spice level.
- You can substitute heavy cream with canned coconut milk for a dairy-free version.
- Be sure not to overcook the pasta; al dente texture works best to hold the sauce.
- For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern American
