Description
Looking for the ultimate comfort food that’s packed with bold flavor and perfect crunch? These Parmesan Crusted Chicken Bites are crispy, juicy, and crave-worthy, especially when served with the rich, smoky Cajun Alfredo Gemelli pasta. This dish is everything you want in a homemade meal: satisfying, exciting, and crowd-pleasing. Whether you need a new weeknight dinner, fun party bites, or a hearty weekend indulgence, this easy recipe delivers. Packed with protein, ideal for dinner ideas or impressive comfort food, it also makes for a quick dinner recipe or an elevated snack. This is one of those food ideas you’ll keep coming back to again and again.
Ingredients
1 pound chicken breast
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
8 ounces Gemelli pasta
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons cream cheese
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces and marinate in buttermilk for 30 minutes.
2. Combine Parmesan, Panko, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Dredge chicken in the mixture, pressing to coat evenly.
4. Fry in olive oil over medium-high heat until golden and cooked through, about 3-4 minutes per side.
5. Cook Gemelli pasta according to package instructions; drain.
6. In a pan, melt butter and mix in cream cheese until smooth.
7. Stir in heavy cream, simmer until thickened. Add Parmesan, Cajun seasoning, and smoked paprika.
8. Toss pasta in Alfredo sauce. Serve with chicken bites on top. Garnish if desired.
Notes
For best crispiness, don’t overcrowd the pan when frying the chicken.
To spice it up, add cayenne to the Alfredo or extra Cajun seasoning to the breading.
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 720
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 155mg
Keywords: easy dinner, comfort food, chicken bites, parmesan crusted chicken, pasta dinner