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Parmesan Chicken Pasta

This Parmesan Chicken Pasta features al dente pasta topped with savory marinara sauce, a generous amount of cheese, and crispy chicken cutlets. It's a delicious Italian-inspired dish perfect for a weeknight meal.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 120

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 8 ounces cavatappi pasta
Chicken Cutlets
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts chicken breasts (about 1 ½ pounds) sliced in half horizontally to make 4 thin chicken cutlets
  • 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 large eggs room temperature, beaten
  • 1.5 cup parmesan cheese finely grated
  • 1 cup plain panko breadcrumbs
  • 3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil for cooking chicken
Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil for sautéing
  • 1 small yellow onion finely diced
  • 1 tablespoon garlic minced
  • 1 jar marinara sauce 24 ounces
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 0.5 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Toppings
  • 1.5 cup parmesan cheese shredded
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
  • chopped parsley for garnish
  • shredded parmesan for garnish

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of the pasta water and drain the rest. Set pasta and pasta water aside.
  2. Set out three medium bowls. In the first bowl, combine the flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
  3. To the second bowl, add the beaten eggs.
  4. In the third bowl, combine the parmesan cheese and the panko breadcrumbs.
  5. Working with one piece of chicken at a time, dredge it in the flour mixture, coating all sides. Tap off any excess flour and dip the chicken into the beaten eggs. Then, coat it with the Parmesan mixture, ensuring all sides are evenly coated. Place the coated chicken onto a plate. Repeat with the remaining chicken cutlets.
  6. To a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Once hot, add the chicken cutlets and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they turn golden brown and reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove the cooked chicken from the pan, place it on a clean plate, and tent it with aluminum foil to keep it warm.
  7. Carefully wipe out the skillet. Then heat olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the onion has softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
  8. Add the marinara, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes to the skillet. Add the cooked pasta. Stir to combine. (Add pasta water to thin the sauce if needed.)
  9. Top with parmesan and mozzarella cheese. Broil for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully, until the cheese has melted.
  10. Slice the chicken into strips and place them on top of the pasta dish. Garnish with chopped parsley and shredded parmesan cheese. Serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, ensure your eggs are at room temperature for the breading process.