Description
Indulge in a delightful meal with this Pesto Pasta with Crispy Parmesan Chicken recipe. Tender chicken coated in a crispy Parmesan crust served atop a bed of flavorful basil pesto pasta, garnished with fresh basil leaves and a hint of lemon juice. This dish is a perfect blend of textures and flavors that will satisfy your cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (preferably panko)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, for frying
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz pasta (such as spaghetti or penne)
- ½ cup homemade or store-bought basil pesto
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
- Extra Parmesan cheese, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder on both sides.
- Dredge the Chicken: In a shallow bowl, combine the grated Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs. Coat each chicken breast in the Parmesan-breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure it sticks evenly.
- Fry the Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and cook for 6-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy. Remove from skillet and let it rest before slicing.
- Prepare the Pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water.
- Toss with Pesto: In a large bowl, toss the cooked pasta with pesto, adding reserved pasta water if needed.
- Assemble the Dish: Slice the crispy Parmesan chicken into thin strips. Plate the pesto pasta, top with sliced chicken, and garnish with basil leaves, lemon juice, and extra Parmesan cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-Frying, Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Pesto Pasta, Crispy Parmesan Chicken, Italian Recipe, Pasta Dinner
