Description

Craving a classic Italian-American dish that’s crispy, cheesy, and comforting? What if you could create My Chicken Parmesan in just 45 minutes, with golden-breaded chicken tenderloins, angel hair pasta, and a bubbly cheese topping? This beginner-friendly recipe, inspired by your love for hearty, flavorful dishes like World’s Best Lasagna and Garlic-Brown Sugar Chicken Thighs, delivers a restaurant-quality meal perfect for weeknight dinners, date nights, or family gatherings.

Ingredients

For the Chicken

All-Purpose Flour (½ cup): Creates a base coating for crispiness.
Salt (½ tsp): Enhances chicken flavor in the flour mix.
Garlic Powder (½ tsp): Adds savory, aromatic depth.
Ground Black Pepper (¼ tsp): Provides a mild, spicy bite.
Ground Cayenne Pepper (¼ tsp): Infuses a subtle, fiery kick.
Chicken Breast Tenderloins (6): Lean, tender cuts that cook quickly and evenly (about 1½ lbs).
Large Egg (1): Binds the breadcrumb coating to the chicken.
Half-and-Half (1 tbsp): Lightens the egg wash for a smooth coating.
Seasoned Bread Crumbs (1 cup): Adds herby, crunchy texture.
Panko Bread Crumbs (½ cup): Contributes extra crispiness.
Grated Parmesan Cheese (½ cup): Infuses nutty, salty flavor in the crust.
Minced Fresh Flat-Leaf Parsley (1 tbsp): Adds fresh, herbaceous notes to the coating.
Olive Oil (2 tbsp): Ensures golden, crispy frying.

For the Pasta and Assembly

Water (3 quarts): Boils pasta to al dente perfection.
Salt (1 tbsp): Seasons the pasta water for flavor.
Angel Hair Pasta (6 oz): Delicate, quick-cooking pasta that complements the sauce.
Prepared Marinara Sauce (1½ cups): Provides tangy, tomatoey richness.
Shredded Italian Cheese Blend (3 oz): Melts into a gooey, cheesy topping (e.g., mozzarella, provolone, Parmesan blend).

Substitutions and Variations

Chicken Tenderloins: Swap with chicken breasts (pound to ½-inch thickness, cook 6–7 minutes per side) or tofu for vegetarian (sauté 3–4 minutes per side).
Flour: Use gluten-free flour for dietary needs.
Cayenne Pepper: Omit for milder flavor or replace with ¼ tsp paprika for smokiness.
Bread Crumbs: Use all panko or gluten-free bread crumbs; plain bread crumbs with 1 tsp Italian seasoning work if seasoned are unavailable.
Parmesan: Swap with Pecorino Romano or vegan Parmesan for dairy-free.
Half-and-Half: Replace with milk or a plant-based milk for dairy-free.
Angel Hair Pasta: Use spaghetti, linguine, or gluten-free pasta; zucchini noodles for low-carb.
Marinara Sauce: Substitute with homemade sauce or arrabbiata for extra spice, inspired by your Cajun Grilled Chicken.
Italian Cheese Blend: Use mozzarella alone or vegan cheese for dietary preferences.
Vegetarian/Vegan: Use tofu or eggplant slices, vegan Parmesan, plant-based milk, and vegan cheese; ensure marinara is vegan-friendly.
Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free flour, bread crumbs, and pasta; ensure marinara and cheese blend are gluten-free certified.
Low-Carb: Replace pasta with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash; reduce bread crumbs to ½ cup.

Optional Additions

Herbs: Add 1 tsp fresh basil or oregano to the marinara, inspired by your Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad.
Veggies: Mix ½ cup sautéed spinach or mushrooms into the pasta, echoing your Sausage and Veggies Skillet.
Spice: Increase cayenne to ½ tsp or add red pepper flakes to the sauce, inspired by your Amazing Spicy Grilled Shrimp.

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Instructions

Preheat and Prep:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly grease a large baking dish (9×13-inch or similar) with cooking spray or olive oil.
- Tip: Ensure the dish is large enough for pasta and chicken; greasing prevents sticking.
Prepare the Breading Station:
- In a resealable plastic bag, combine ½ cup all-purpose flour, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp ground black pepper, and ¼ tsp ground cayenne pepper.
- In a shallow bowl, beat 1 large egg with 1 tbsp half-and-half until smooth.
- In a second shallow bowl, mix 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs, ½ cup panko bread crumbs, ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, and 1 tbsp minced fresh flat-leaf parsley.
- Tip: Set up bowls in order (flour, egg, crumbs) for efficient breading; mince parsley finely for even distribution.
Bread the Chicken:
- Place 6 chicken breast tenderloins in the flour bag, seal, and shake to coat evenly.
- Remove each tenderloin, shaking off excess flour, and dip into the egg mixture, letting excess drip off.
- Press chicken into the breadcrumb mixture, coating both sides thoroughly.
- Place breaded tenderloins on a plate and let rest for 10 minutes to set the coating.
- Tip: Press crumbs firmly to adhere; resting helps the coating stick during frying.
Fry the Chicken:
- Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
- Add breaded tenderloins and cook for 5 minutes per side, until golden brown and no longer pink in the center (internal temperature 165°F/74°C).
- Work in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding; add more oil if necessary.
- Transfer cooked chicken to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Tip: Maintain medium heat to prevent burning crumbs; use a thermometer for accuracy.
Cook the Pasta:
- Bring 3 quarts water with 1 tbsp salt to a boil in a large pot.
- Add 6 oz angel hair pasta and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes until al dente.
- Drain pasta in a colander without rinsing to retain starch for sauce adhesion.
- Tip: Time pasta to finish as chicken fries; toss with a drizzle of olive oil if waiting to prevent sticking.
Assemble and Bake:
- Spread ¾ cup marinara sauce in the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Add cooked angel hair pasta, spreading evenly.
- Pour remaining ¾ cup marinara sauce over pasta, tossing lightly to coat.
- Arrange fried chicken tenderloins on top of the pasta.
- Sprinkle 3 oz shredded Italian cheese blend evenly over the chicken.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Tip: Layer sauce sparingly to avoid soggy pasta; check at 8 minutes to prevent over-browning cheese.
Serve:
- Remove from oven and let rest for 3 minutes to set.
- Serve hot, dividing pasta and chicken between plates, with sides like garlic bread, a Caesar salad (inspired by your BLT Chicken Salad), or a glass of red wine like Chianti.
- Garnish with extra parsley or Parmesan (optional) for a fresh touch.
- Tip: Use a spatula to serve neat portions; offer extra marinara on the side for dipping.