Irresistible Southern Style Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pasta You’ll Love

Southern cuisine celebrates comfort food with its rich, indulgent flavors, and this creamy Parmesan chicken pasta embodies that culinary tradition perfectly.

Home cooks have long appreciated dishes that combine tender chicken with velvety sauces and hearty pasta.

The recipe draws inspiration from classic Southern cooking techniques that transform simple ingredients into extraordinary meals.

Cheese and cream play starring roles in creating a luxurious texture that coats every strand of pasta.

Chicken serves as a protein-packed centerpiece that makes this dish satisfying and memorable.

Family gatherings and weekend dinners become extra special when this delectable pasta takes center stage on the dining table.

Why Southern Style Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pasta Is So Rich

• Quick Southern Comfort: This chicken pasta dish delivers mouthwatering Southern-style flavors in under an hour, perfect for busy home cooks craving delicious meals.
• Family-Friendly Crowd-Pleaser: Packed with creamy textures and mild Cajun spices, the recipe appeals to both adults and kids, making dinnertime enjoyable for everyone.
• Customizable Culinary Experience: Home chefs can easily adjust spice levels by modifying Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes, creating a personalized dining adventure that suits individual taste preferences.
• Minimal Kitchen Equipment Needed: Requiring just two skillets and basic cooking tools, this recipe offers a straightforward cooking process that doesn't overwhelm home cooks with complicated techniques or specialized equipment.

What You’ll Need For Southern Style Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pasta

• Pasta, Panko Breadcrumbs: Essential for creating a hearty base and crispy chicken coating. Choose high-quality pasta for better texture.
• Parmesan Cheese: Adds rich, savory flavor to both breadcrumb coating and sauce. Select freshly grated for best results.

• Chicken Breasts: Main protein providing substance and flavor. Choose boneless, skinless chicken for easier preparation.
• Cajun Seasoning, Red Pepper Flakes, Salt, Black Pepper: Provide bold, spicy flavor profile. Adjust spice level to personal preference.

• Milk, Heavy Cream, Cream Cheese: Create luxurious, smooth sauce base. Full-fat versions recommended for richness.
• Olive Oil: Helps sauté vegetables and cook chicken with smooth, mild flavor.

• Onion, Bell Peppers, Garlic: Add depth and aromatic base to the dish. Fresh vegetables enhance overall taste.
• Parsley: Provides fresh, bright finishing touch. Use fresh herbs for best flavor.

Step-By-Step For Southern Style Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Step 1: Boil Pasta

Fill a large pot with water and add salt. Bring to a rolling boil. Drop pasta into boiling water and cook until tender but slightly firm. Drain pasta and set aside.

Step 2: Prepare Chicken Coating

• Panko breadcrumbs
• Grated Parmesan cheese

Coat chicken pieces completely in the mixture, pressing firmly to ensure even coverage.

Step 3: Build Flavor Base

• Diced onions
• Chopped bell peppers
• Minced garlic

• Cajun seasoning
• Red pepper flakes
• Salt
• Black pepper

Cook until ingredients become fragrant and slightly softened.

Step 4: Create Creamy Sauce

• Whole milk
• Heavy cream
• Cream cheese

Whisk ingredients until completely smooth. Allow sauce to simmer and thicken for several minutes.

Step 5: Cook Chicken

Heat additional olive oil in a separate skillet. Sear chicken pieces until golden brown on both sides. Ensure chicken is fully cooked. Transfer to cutting board and slice into thin strips.

Step 6: Combine Pasta and Sauce

Stir remaining Parmesan into sauce. Add cooked pasta and toss thoroughly. Simmer briefly to marry flavors. Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley.

Step 7: Plate and Serve

Transfer pasta to serving plates. Top with sliced chicken strips. Enjoy immediately while hot and creamy.

Tips For Southern Style Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pasta

• Customize Panko Coating: Boost flavor by mixing breadcrumbs with herbs like thyme or rosemary for an extra layer of taste and texture.
• Control Sauce Consistency: Adjust sauce thickness by adding more milk if too thick or simmering longer to reduce and thicken naturally.
• Spice Level Management: Modify heat by reducing or increasing Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes to match personal spice preferences.
• Protein Swap Options: Replace chicken with shrimp, tofu, or grilled vegetables for alternative dietary needs while maintaining similar cooking techniques.
• Create Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare sauce and chicken separately in advance, then quickly combine and reheat for a convenient weeknight meal solution.

Store And Reheat Southern Style Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pasta

• Refrigerate: Store leftover pasta and chicken in separate airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Cooling: Let the dish cool completely to room temperature before sealing and refrigerating to avoid condensation and soggy texture.
• Reheating Pasta: Warm pasta in a skillet with a splash of milk or cream over medium-low heat, stirring gently to restore creamy consistency and prevent sticking.
• Reheating Chicken: Warm sliced chicken in the microwave with a damp paper towel, heating in 30-second intervals to prevent drying out and maintain juiciness.

Perfect Sides For Southern Style Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pasta

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio to cut through the rich, creamy sauce and complement the Cajun spices.
• Balance with Fresh Salad: Create a light mixed green salad with lemon vinaigrette to contrast the pasta's heavy, indulgent texture and cleanse the palate.
• Enhance with Garlic Bread: Serve toasted garlic bread alongside the dish to soak up the delicious creamy sauce and add a crunchy textural element.
• Match with Sparkling Water: Choose a citrus-infused sparkling water to refresh the mouth between bites and help balance the dish's richness.

Ways To Change Southern Style Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pasta

• Gluten-Free Friendly: Swap Panko breadcrumbs with almond flour or gluten-free breadcrumbs. Use cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend for coating chicken, ensuring crispy texture without wheat.
• Dairy-Free Option: Replace heavy cream and cream cheese with coconut cream and cashew cream. Select dairy-free Parmesan alternative or nutritional yeast for similar cheesy flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Transformation: Substitute pasta with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice. Use chicken thighs for extra moisture and select low-carb Cajun seasoning blend without added sugars.
• Vegetarian Adaptation: Replace chicken with crispy tofu or roasted cauliflower steaks. Keep spice blend consistent and use plant-based milk alternatives for creamy sauce consistency.

Southern Style Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pasta Q&A

• Can I use different types of pasta for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute the pasta with similar shapes like penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine that hold sauce well and provide a similar texture.

• Is Cajun seasoning very spicy?

Cajun seasoning has a moderate heat level. If you’re sensitive to spice, you can reduce the amount or use a mild version to control the heat intensity.

• What if I can't find Panko breadcrumbs?

Regular breadcrumbs work fine as a substitute. They’ll still provide a crispy coating for the chicken, though the texture might be slightly different from Panko.

• Can I make this dish ahead of time?

While best served fresh, you can prepare the components separately and combine just before serving. Store the chicken and sauce separately in the refrigerator and reheat gently when ready to serve.

Tantalizing Southern Style Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pasta Recipe

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4.8 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Creamy Parmesan Chicken Pasta brings Southern comfort to your dinner table with its rich, cheesy goodness. Hearty pasta and tender chicken merge in a luxurious sauce that promises pure satisfaction for hungry souls.

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Ingredients

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Chicken:

• 1 lb (454 grams) chicken cutlets or tenders
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 ½ cups grated parmesan cheese, divided
• 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper

Pasta and Vegetables:

• 1 lb (454 grams) short-cut pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fusilli)
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 bell peppers, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated

Seasonings and Sauce:

• 3–4 teaspoons cajun seasoning
• Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
• 2 cups milk
• ½ cup heavy cream or canned coconut milk
• 2 ounces (57 grams) cream cheese, at room temperature
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Prepare a generously salted water bath in a large pot, allowing pasta to pirouette until perfectly tender. Strain and reserve the cooked noodles.
2. Create a crispy coating by blending Panko breadcrumbs with Parmesan, thoroughly enveloping each chicken piece in the fragrant mixture, pressing firmly to ensure complete coverage.
3. Ignite a skillet with olive oil, introducing diced onions to caramelize. Incorporate vibrant bell peppers and minced garlic, allowing vegetables to soften and release their aromatic essence. Sprinkle Cajun seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper, awakening the spices’ intense flavors.
4. Stream milk and heavy cream into the vegetable medley, introducing cream cheese to transform the mixture into a luxuriously smooth sauce. Gently simmer, watching the liquid thicken and develop a velvety consistency.
5. In a parallel skillet, sear chicken pieces until they develop a golden-brown exterior and reach complete doneness. Transfer to a cutting surface, season with a whisper of salt, then slice into elegant strips.
6. Fold remaining Parmesan into the creamy sauce, reuniting it with the awaiting pasta. Allow a brief simmer to marry the flavors, then garnish with fresh parsley for a vibrant finish.
7. Plate the pasta, crowning each serving with the crispy, sliced chicken, ready to delight discerning palates.

Notes

• Customize Spice Levels by adjusting Cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes to suit personal heat preferences.
• Gluten-Free Option can be achieved by using gluten-free pasta and replacing Panko breadcrumbs with almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers.
• Prep Chicken Evenly by pounding chicken breasts to uniform thickness ensuring consistent cooking and crispy breading.
• Make-

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Southern

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 720
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 24 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 70 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 37 g
• Cholesterol: 130 mg