This restaurant-worthy dish combines crispy, golden Parmesan-crusted chicken with tender penne pasta smothered in a velvety garlic cream sauce. It’s easy enough for weeknights but fancy enough for date night—pure comfort food magic!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe ❤️
✅ Crispy, cheesy chicken – A texture lover’s dream!
✅ Creamy, garlicky pasta – Rich but not overly heavy.
✅ One-skillet sauce – Minimal cleanup.
✅ 30-minute meal – Faster than takeout.
Ingredients You’ll Need 🛒
For the Parmesan-Crusted Chicken:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, halved horizontally
½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup (60g) Panko breadcrumbs
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 egg, beaten
2 tbsp olive oil
For the Penne & Cream Sauce:
8 oz (225g) penne pasta
2 tbsp butter
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
½ cup (120ml) chicken broth
½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan
1 tsp lemon zest (optional, for brightness)
Salt & pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)