Crispy Parm Chicken Southern-Style (Print)
Golden-brown parmesan chicken placed over zesty cajun pasta with sweet peppers, diced onions, and smooth cheese sauce.
# Ingredients:
→ Chicken Prep
01 -
1 1/2 cups grated parmesan cheese
02 -
1 pound chicken tenders or cutlets
03 -
1 cup Panko-style breadcrumbs
04 -
Freshly ground black pepper, as needed
05 -
Pinch of kosher salt
→ Pasta & Veggies
06 -
2-3 teaspoons cajun seasoning
07 -
1 pound pasta (short shapes, like penne)
08 -
Red pepper flakes (a sprinkle to taste)
09 -
3 garlic cloves, minced or grated
10 -
2 bell peppers, diced
11 -
1 medium yellow onion, diced
→ For the Creamy Sauce
12 -
1/2 cup heavy cream or coconut milk (canned)
13 -
2 cups milk
14 -
A couple ounces of cream cheese, softened
15 -
4 tablespoons olive oil (use the extra virgin kind)
16 -
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
# Steps:
01 -
Heat a large skillet on medium-high with 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Cook the onion for around 5 minutes, stirring here and there, until it softens a little. Toss in the chopped peppers and garlic, and cook another 5 minutes until the peppers are nice and tender. Mix in cajun seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper, stirring for about a minute. Pour in the milk and cream, and whisk in the cream cheese until smooth. Let it simmer lightly for 5-8 minutes until it thickens a bit.
02 -
Fill a big pot with salted water and get it boiling. Cook the pasta according to what the package says—stop when it's just tender enough to eat (al dente). Drain it and leave it aside.
03 -
Grab a shallow dish and mix together the Panko and 1/2 cup of parmesan. Coat both sides of the chicken by pressing it firmly into the mixture so it sticks. Set the chicken aside for now.
04 -
In a second large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Lay the chicken down and cook each side for 3-4 minutes until it's crispy and golden. Move the chicken to a cutting board, slice it thinly, and sprinkle with a bit of salt.
05 -
Add the rest of the parmesan to the sauce and mix. Stir in the pasta to coat it well. Let everything warm up over low heat for 3-5 minutes. After taking it off the stove, sprinkle in the parsley and stir.
06 -
Spoon portions of the creamy pasta onto plates and lay the sliced chicken on top. Enjoy right away!
# Additional Notes:
01 -
You can whip up cajun seasoning by combining smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, some chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.