Parmesan Chicken Delight (Print-Friendly Version)
# What You'll Need:
01 -
1 pound of chicken tenders or cutlets
02 -
1 cup of Panko-style breadcrumbs
03 -
1 and a half cups of shredded parmesan cheese
04 -
4 tablespoons of good olive oil
05 -
A little kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste
06 -
1 pound of pasta, short variety
07 -
1 medium-sized yellow onion, diced
08 -
2 bell peppers, diced
09 -
3 garlic cloves, chopped small or grated
10 -
3 to 4 teaspoons of cajun seasoning mix
11 -
Crushed red pepper flakes, as much as you like
12 -
2 cups of milk
13 -
1/2 cup of heavy cream or canned coconut milk
14 -
2 ounces of softened cream cheese
15 -
2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, finely chopped
# Step-by-Step Directions:
01 -
Salt a big pot of boiling water, toss your pasta in, and cook it as instructed on the package until it's firm but cooked through. Drain it and set it to the side.
02 -
Combine 1/2 cup of grated parmesan with the Panko breadcrumbs in a shallow dish. Coat the chicken by pressing it into the crumb mixture on all sides, making sure it sticks well. Put the chicken aside once done.
03 -
In a big pan over medium-high heat, warm up 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Toss in the diced onion and cook until it softens, about 5 minutes. Add the peppers and garlic, cooking them for another 5 minutes until the peppers are soft. Stir in your cajun seasoning, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook everything for another minute so the spices wake up. Pour in the milk and heavy cream, then add the cream cheese. Stir everything until smooth, letting it simmer for around 5 to 8 minutes till it's slightly thicker.
04 -
In another large pan, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Put the crumbed chicken into the pan and let it cook for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side until golden. Move it to a cutting board, sprinkle a bit of salt on top, and slice it into thin pieces.
05 -
Add the last of your grated parmesan into the pan with the sauce. Toss in your cooked pasta and let it cook on a low flame for 3-5 minutes, stirring until it's all mixed together. Take the pan off the heat and sprinkle in your chopped parsley.
06 -
Spoon the creamy pasta onto your plates and layer the slices of chicken on top. Ready to eat? Dig in and enjoy!
# Helpful Notes:
01 -
To make your own cajun spice blend, mix together smoked paprika, garlic and onion powders, dried oregano, thyme, chili powder, cayenne, kosher salt, and black pepper.