Description
Rich chicken parmesan pasta combines classic Italian flavors with comforting pasta textures. Crispy chicken, melted cheese, and marinara sauce create a satisfying meal that delights home cooks and dinner guests alike.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless), cut into bite-sized pieces
- ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (90 g) Italian breadcrumbs
- ½ cup (50 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 egg, beaten
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 12 oz (340 g) penne or rigatoni pasta
- 24 oz (680 g) marinara sauce
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- fresh basil or parsley (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Cook pasta until al dente, approximately 8-10 minutes, then drain and set aside.
- Chicken Breading: Create a three-stage coating process. First, dust chicken in flour, then dip in whisked eggs, and finally coat with a mixture of breadcrumbs, Parmesan, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Ensure complete and even coverage for each piece.
- Chicken Searing: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Carefully place breaded chicken into the pan, cooking until achieving a crisp, golden-brown exterior. Flip once, cooking 4-5 minutes per side. Remove and set aside on a clean plate.
- Sauce Development: In the same skillet, pour marinara sauce. Enhance with Italian seasoning and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Incorporate cooked pasta, thoroughly coating each strand with the vibrant sauce.
- Cheese Integration: Distribute half the mozzarella and Parmesan throughout the pasta. Strategically place the crispy chicken pieces on top of the cheesy mixture.
- Final Baking: Transfer skillet to a preheated 375°F oven. Sprinkle remaining cheese over the dish. Bake for 10 minutes until cheese melts into a bubbling, golden crust.
- Presentation: Garnish with fresh basil or parsley. Serve immediately alongside garlic bread or a crisp salad for a complete culinary experience.
Notes
- Pasta Precision: Cook pasta al dente by testing a strand 1-2 minutes before package instructions to prevent mushiness, ensuring a perfect texture that holds up in the sauce.
- Breading Brilliance: Pat chicken completely dry before breading to help coating adhere better and create an extra crispy exterior that won’t fall off during cooking.
- Temperature Control: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally, guaranteeing safe consumption while maintaining juicy tenderness.
- Cheese Melting Magic: Let cheese rest for 2-3 minutes after baking to allow proper melting and prevent stringy, uneven coverage across the dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 615
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 73 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg