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Dinner

Crispy Parmesan Chicken with Creamy Lemon Pasta

This easy dinner features golden, mayo crusted chicken paired with a bright, silky lemon cream sauce.

By Daily Recipes Book· 🌍 Global· July 27, 2026
Crispy Parmesan Chicken with Creamy Lemon Pasta
dailyrecipesbook.com
Prep
20 minutes
Cook
20 minutes
Total
40 minutes
Serves
4

If you are looking for a dinner that always gets a thumbs up from the family, this is it. The trick to the chicken is using a thin layer of mayo to help the parmesan and panko mixture stick, which keeps the meat incredibly juicy and perfectly crispy without any extra effort.

I love serving this with a creamy lemon pasta because the bright citrus flavors cut right through the richness of the parmesan. It feels like a fancy meal but is simple enough to put together on a busy weeknight.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/3 cup mayo
  • Avocado oil spray
  • 8 ounces pasta of your choice
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tablespoon all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 teaspoon chicken bouillon base
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • Zest and juice of half a lemon
  • Fresh basil ribbons for garnish

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat your oven to 425 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  2. 2

    Slice your chicken breasts into thin, flat cutlets and pat them dry.

  3. 3

    Whisk the Parmesan, panko, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, and salt together in a bowl.

  4. 4

    Brush each piece of chicken with a thin layer of mayo, then coat both sides in the panko mixture, pressing firmly so it sticks.

  5. 5

    Place the chicken on the baking sheet, spray the tops with avocado oil, and bake for 13 to 15 minutes.

  6. 6

    Broil the chicken for 1 to 2 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.

  7. 7

    While the chicken bakes, cook your pasta according to the package instructions and reserve a little pasta water.

  8. 8

    Melt butter in a pan over medium heat, add the garlic, and cook for 2 minutes before stirring in the flour.

  9. 9

    Slowly add the cream, water, and bouillon, then simmer for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens.

  10. 10

    Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the lemon zest and lemon juice.

  11. 11

    Toss the cooked pasta into the sauce, adding reserved pasta water if you need to loosen it up.

  12. 12

    Slice the chicken, serve it over the pasta, and top with fresh basil.

💡 Tips

Store any leftover chicken and pasta in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to three days. To keep the chicken crispy, reheat it in the oven or an air fryer rather than the microwave. Serve with a side of steamed green beans for an extra serving of veggies.

#chicken#pasta#easy dinner#kid friendly#comfort food

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