This Crispy Chicken with Creamy Pasta Recipe combines the best of both worlds: perfectly seasoned, golden-brown chicken paired with rich, velvety pasta that will have your family asking for seconds. The contrast between the crunchy chicken exterior and tender interior, alongside the smooth, cheese-laden pasta, creates a restaurant-quality meal you can easily make at home.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This Crispy Chicken with Creamy Pasta Recipe delivers comfort food at its finest. The buttermilk-marinated chicken stays incredibly juicy while developing a beautifully crispy crust that adds amazing texture to every bite. The creamy pasta sauce, made with heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, creates the perfect backdrop for the seasoned chicken. It’s a complete meal that combines protein and carbs in one satisfying dish, making it ideal for busy weeknights when you want something special without spending hours in the kitchen. The recipe serves four generously and can easily be doubled for larger gatherings or meal prep.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
For the Pasta:
- 12 ounces fettuccine or penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
How to Make Crispy Chicken with Creamy Pasta Recipe
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Prepare the Chicken:
- Place chicken breasts in a shallow dish and pour buttermilk over them. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator for maximum tenderness.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to ensure even distribution of seasonings.
- Remove chicken from buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge each piece thoroughly in the seasoned flour mixture, pressing gently to help coating adhere.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once oil shimmers, carefully add chicken breasts. Cook for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove chicken and let rest on a cutting board.
Prepare the Pasta: 5. While chicken cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- In the same skillet used for chicken (don’t clean it – those browned bits add flavor), melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Add Italian seasoning and let sauce reduce slightly, about 3-4 minutes.
- Remove from heat and gradually whisk in Parmesan cheese until smooth and creamy. If sauce seems too thick, add reserved pasta water one tablespoon at a time.
- Add drained pasta to the cream sauce and toss to coat evenly.
Assemble and Serve: 10. Slice the rested chicken into strips. Serve pasta in bowls and top with sliced crispy chicken. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Helpful Tips
For the Crispiest Chicken: Pat chicken completely dry before marinating, and don’t overcrowd the pan when cooking. This ensures proper browning and prevents steaming.
Buttermilk Substitute: If you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1 cup regular milk with 1 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice. Let sit for 5 minutes before using.
Pasta Water is Key: The starchy pasta water helps bind the sauce to the pasta and creates a silkier texture. Always reserve some before draining.
Temperature Control: Keep the heat at medium when making the cream sauce to prevent it from breaking or curdling.
Make It Your Own: Add sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, or mushrooms to the pasta for extra flavor and nutrition.
Details
Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus 30 minutes marinating time) Cook Time: 25 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutesServings: 4 Difficulty Level: Intermediate
This Crispy Chicken with Creamy Pasta Recipe works beautifully for date nights, family dinners, or when you’re entertaining guests. The key to success lies in proper timing – start the pasta water when you begin cooking the chicken so everything finishes around the same time.
Notes
The buttermilk marinade is crucial for tender, flavorful chicken. The acid breaks down proteins while the enzymes tenderize the meat. Don’t skip this step, even if you’re short on time – even 30 minutes makes a significant difference.
When making the cream sauce, patience is important. Rushing the process by using high heat can cause the cream to curdle or the cheese to become grainy. Low and slow creates the silkiest texture.
Fresh Parmesan cheese works much better than pre-grated varieties, which contain anti-caking agents that can make the sauce less smooth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts? Absolutely! Chicken thighs work wonderfully in this recipe and actually stay more moist. Adjust cooking time to 8-10 minutes per side and ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F.
What if my cream sauce breaks? If the sauce separates, remove from heat immediately and whisk in a tablespoon of cold cream or pasta water. This usually brings it back together.
Can I make this ahead of time? The chicken can be breaded and refrigerated up to 4 hours ahead. The pasta is best made fresh, but you can prepare the sauce base and reheat gently when ready to serve.
What pasta shapes work best? Fettuccine and penne are ideal because they hold the cream sauce well. Rigatoni, shells, or even spaghetti would also work nicely.
How do I know when the chicken is done? Use a meat thermometer to check that the thickest part reaches 165°F. The juices should run clear, and the meat should no longer be pink inside.
Storage Instructions
Refrigerator: Store leftover Crispy Chicken with Creamy Pasta Recipe in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in airtight containers. Keep chicken and pasta separate if possible to maintain the chicken’s crispiness.
Reheating: Reheat pasta gently in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of cream or milk to restore creaminess. Reheat chicken in a 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes to crisp up the coating, or use an air fryer at 375°F for 3-4 minutes.
Freezing: While possible, cream-based sauces don’t freeze well as they tend to separate. The chicken can be frozen for up to 3 months, but prepare fresh pasta when ready to serve.
Conclusion
This Crispy Chicken with Creamy Pasta Recipe proves that restaurant-quality meals are absolutely achievable in your home kitchen. The combination of perfectly seasoned, crispy chicken with rich, creamy pasta creates a dish that’s both comforting and elegant. Whether you’re cooking for your family on a weeknight or preparing something special for guests, this recipe delivers impressive results every time.
The beauty of this Crispy Chicken with Creamy Pasta Recipe lies in its versatility and the way each component complements the other. The crispy coating on the chicken provides textural contrast to the smooth pasta, while the savory seasonings tie everything together harmoniously. With practice, you’ll find this becomes one of your go-to recipes for when you want to create something memorable without spending all day in the kitchen.
Try this recipe tonight and discover why the combination of crispy chicken and creamy pasta has become such a beloved comfort food classic. Your dinner table will never be the same!
