Creamy Pasta With Mozzarella Breaded Chicken
Creamy pasta adorned with tender, breaded chicken and melted mozzarella.
Ingredients
- 8 oz 225g pasta of your choice
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 egg beaten
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 4 slices mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until it's al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water. Set aside.
- In a large pan, melt the butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the tomato paste and fry briefly, about 1-2 minutes.
- Pour in the heavy cream and stir until well combined. Season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika. Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes until it thickens slightly. Reserve 1/2 cup of the cream mixture and set aside.
- Combine the cooked pasta and reserved pasta water with the remaining cream mixture in the pan. Mix well until the pasta is evenly coated. Keep warm while preparing the chicken.
- Tenderize the chicken breasts to an even thickness. Dip each chicken breast into the beaten egg, then coat with breadcrumbs, pressing gently to adhere.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add a bit of olive oil. Fry the breaded chicken breasts for about 5-6 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Pour the reserved cream mixture over the fried chicken cutlets in the skillet. Top each chicken breast with a slice of mozzarella cheese.
- Preheat the broiler in your oven. Place the skillet under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the chicken is golden brown on top.
- Serve the creamy pasta topped with the mozzarella breaded chicken immediately. Enjoy your delicious meal!
Notes
- Chicken Preparation: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before breading. This ensures even cooking and prevents them from drying out.
- Breading Technique: For a crispier coating, double dip the chicken in the beaten egg and breadcrumbs. After the first coating, dip it back into the egg mixture and breadcrumbs for a second layer.
- Creamy Pasta: Reserve some of the pasta water before draining. This starchy water helps to thicken the sauce and bind it to the pasta, creating a creamier texture.
- Melting Cheese: When broiling the chicken with mozzarella cheese, keep a close eye on it to prevent burning. You want the cheese to melt and become golden brown and bubbly, not charred.