Description
Tender chicken strips tossed in creamy parmesan sauce with pasta, topped with golden panko crumbs for the ultimate comfort dinner.
Ingredients
CRISPY BREADCRUMBS (OPTIONAL)
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1 cup (60 g) panko breadcrumbs
¼ tsp sea salt flakes
CHICKEN
2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (500 g / 1 lb 2 oz)
1 tsp sea salt flakes
1 tbsp Italian mixed herbs (Italian seasoning)
¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil
PASTA
400 g (14 oz) dried short pasta (mafalde, farfalle, rigatoni)
1 tbsp unsalted butter
1 small brown onion
1 tbsp freshly minced garlic
1 tbsp Italian mixed herbs
¼ tsp chili flakes (optional)
1 tbsp plain flour
1 cup (250 ml) chicken stock
1½ cups (375 ml) thickened (heavy) cream
120 g (4 oz) baby spinach
1½ cups (150 g) freshly grated parmesan, plus extra to serve
½ tsp sea salt flakes, or to taste
¼ tsp cracked black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
1. Make crispy breadcrumbs: Melt butter in pan, stir in panko and salt, toast 2–3 min until golden, set aside.
2. Prep chicken: Season with salt, herbs, and olive oil, coat evenly.
3. Cook pasta: Boil 1–2 min less than package instructions, reserve ½ cup pasta water, drain.
4. Cook chicken: Sear 2–3 min each side until cooked through, rest, then slice into strips.
5. Make sauce: In same pan, sauté onion in butter 2–3 min, add garlic, herbs, chili, then stir in flour. Whisk in stock and cream, simmer until thick.
6. Combine: Add spinach, pasta, chicken (with juices), and half pasta water, toss. Stir in parmesan, season to taste, add more pasta water if needed.
7. Serve: Divide pasta into bowls, top with breadcrumbs and extra parmesan.
Notes
Reserve pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency.
Marinate chicken up to 3 days ahead for easy prep.
Not suitable for freezing due to cream sauce separation.
Breadcrumbs will soften when reheated but remain tasty.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Chicken, Pasta, Quick and Easy
- Method: Sautéing, Boiling
- Cuisine: Modern Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 645
- Sugar: 5g
- Fat: 30g
- Carbohydrates: 58g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g