Description
This Chicken Bites with Creamy Parmesan Pasta is a delightful and satisfying dish featuring crispy, golden-breaded chicken pieces paired with rich, creamy Parmesan pasta. Perfectly cooked chicken bites complement the luscious, thickened cream sauce tossed with pasta, making this meal ideal for a family dinner or casual gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Bites
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 eggs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Creamy Parmesan Pasta
- 8 oz pasta
- 1 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing it to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Chicken: Cut the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and easy eating.
- Make Breading Mixture: In a shallow dish, thoroughly combine the bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to create a flavorful coating for the chicken.
- Beat Eggs: In a separate shallow dish, beat the two eggs to use as a binding agent for the breading.
- Bread Chicken: Dip each piece of chicken first into the beaten eggs, then coat it evenly with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently so the coating adheres well. Arrange the breaded chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet.
- Cook Chicken Bites: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the breaded chicken bites and cook them for about 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crispy on all sides. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Cook Pasta: While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- Make Creamy Sauce: In the same skillet used for the chicken, pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Stir frequently and let the cream thicken slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
- Toss Pasta in Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the creamy sauce, tossing it well to ensure every strand is coated. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if desired.
- Serve: Plate the creamy Parmesan pasta and top it with the crispy chicken bites. Garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese for an added burst of flavor, if desired. Serve immediately for best texture and taste.
Notes
- You can swap the bread crumbs for panko for an even crispier texture on the chicken bites.
- If you prefer, bake the breaded chicken bites in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes instead of pan-frying for a lighter version.
- Use any short pasta such as penne, rigatoni, or farfalle for the creamy Parmesan sauce to cling better.
- To reduce calories, substitute half-and-half or milk for heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free bread crumbs and gluten-free pasta.
