This Southern Style Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pasta is the perfect dish for any night of the week. Crispy, breaded parmesan chicken is served over a creamy, cajun-inspired pasta with bell peppers and a spicy, flavorful sauce. With a touch of cream cheese added to the sauce for extra smoothness, this dish is creamy, spicy, and absolutely irresistible!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the chicken:

• Chicken cutlets or tenders

• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

• ½ cup grated parmesan cheese

• Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

• Olive oil for frying

For the pasta:

• 1 lb short cut pasta (penne, bow-tie, or your favorite style)

• 1 medium yellow onion, diced

• 1 bell pepper, diced

• 4 garlic cloves, minced

• 2 tbsp homemade cajun seasoning

• ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes

• 1 cup milk

• 1 cup heavy cream (or canned coconut milk)

• 2 oz cream cheese

• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese

• Fresh parsley for garnish

Directions

1. Prepare the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

2. Dredge the Chicken: In a shallow bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs and grated parmesan. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then dredge each piece in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing firmly to adhere.

3. Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden and crispy. Remove from the skillet and let rest. Slice into thin strips.

4. Make the Sauce: In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil and sauté the onion, bell pepper, and garlic until softened (about 5 minutes). Stir in the cajun seasoning, crushed red pepper, salt, and pepper, and cook for another minute. Add the milk, cream, and cream cheese, and whisk until smooth. Simmer for 5-8 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

5. Combine the Pasta: Stir in the grated parmesan into the sauce and add the cooked pasta. Toss to coat the pasta in the sauce.

6. Serve: Plate the pasta and top with the sliced chicken. Garnish with fresh parsley and additional parmesan if desired.

Nutrients (Per Serving)

• Calories: 505 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 45g

• Protein: 33g

• Fat: 25g

  • Saturated Fat: 13g

• Cholesterol: 75mg

• Sodium: 910mg

• Potassium: 470mg

• Fiber: 3g

• Sugar: 6g

The Crispy Parmesan Chicken: Golden and Flavorful

The star of this dish is the crispy, breaded parmesan chicken that’s both juicy on the inside and golden-brown on the outside. To prepare the chicken, you’ll start by dredging the chicken cutlets (or tenders) in a mixture of panko breadcrumbs and grated parmesan cheese. The combination of the panko and parmesan creates a crispy, flavorful coating that holds up well against the creamy sauce, adding a crunchy texture to each bite.

Once the chicken is dredged, it’s cooked in a bit of olive oil over medium-high heat until it’s perfectly golden and crispy, taking only about 3-4 minutes per side. The key to this step is ensuring that the oil is hot enough to crisp the breading without burning it. After the chicken is cooked, let it rest for a few minutes before slicing it into thin strips to top the pasta. This helps the juices stay inside the chicken, ensuring it remains moist and flavorful.

The Pasta: The Perfect Base

For the pasta, choose any short-cut variety you prefer—penne, bow-tie, or any other shape that catches your eye. The pasta provides the perfect base for the creamy cajun sauce, and short cuts tend to hold the sauce better than long pasta varieties. Boil the pasta in salted water until al dente, following the package directions. Once it’s done, drain the pasta and set it aside to prepare the sauce.

The al dente pasta will absorb some of the sauce as it’s tossed together, creating the perfect texture for this creamy, spicy dish. It’s also the ideal base for the crispy parmesan chicken, adding a hearty, satisfying element to the meal.

The Cajun Cream Sauce: Creamy, Spicy, and Rich

What truly makes this dish stand out is the creamy cajun sauce that coats the pasta. The sauce starts with sautéing onions, bell peppers, and garlic in olive oil, which creates a flavorful aromatic base. Once the vegetables have softened, the cajun seasoning and crushed red pepper flakes are added, giving the sauce a flavorful, spicy kick. Cajun seasoning brings a blend of smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and herbs that make the sauce rich and deep, while the red pepper flakes add a little extra heat.

Next, you’ll add milk, cream, and cream cheese to the pan. The cream and milk create the base for the creamy sauce, while the cream cheese adds an extra level of smoothness, making the sauce incredibly velvety. Whisking these ingredients together helps form a thick, rich sauce that envelops the pasta, creating a luscious, indulgent coating.

The sauce is simmered for about 5-8 minutes until it thickens slightly, allowing all the flavors to meld together. Finally, grated parmesan cheese is stirred in, adding an extra cheesy richness that brings the sauce to its creamy, flavorful peak.

Bringing It All Together: Combining the Pasta and Chicken

Once the sauce is ready, it’s time to bring everything together. Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss it gently to coat every noodle in the creamy, spicy mixture. The sauce will cling to the pasta beautifully, ensuring each bite is packed with flavor.

After the pasta is well-coated, plate the dish and top it with the crispy, sliced chicken. The golden, crunchy chicken complements the creamy pasta perfectly, adding both texture and flavor. Garnish the dish with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and a refreshing herbal note that cuts through the richness of the sauce. You can also sprinkle extra parmesan cheese on top for added flavor and creaminess.

Serving Suggestions: Enjoying the Dish

This Southern Style Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a hearty, indulgent dish on its own, but it pairs beautifully with a variety of sides. Serve it with a simple green salad to balance out the richness of the pasta or with some garlic bread to soak up any leftover sauce. A light, crisp white wine or iced tea would complement the flavors perfectly, balancing the creaminess of the sauce and the heat from the cajun seasoning.

For an extra touch, consider serving the pasta with a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes on top for those who enjoy a bit more heat. You can also add a drizzle of olive oil for added richness and flavor if desired.

Conclusion

Southern Style Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pasta is a flavorful and indulgent dish that combines the crispy, golden chicken with a creamy, spicy cajun sauce. The richness of the sauce, the tenderness of the chicken, and the perfectly cooked pasta all come together to create a satisfying meal that is both comforting and bold. Whether you’re serving it for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion, this dish is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. With its balance of creamy, spicy, and savory flavors, it’s a must-try for anyone who loves hearty pasta dishes with a little extra kick.