Description
This High Protein Chicken Parmesan Pasta is a healthier twist on a classic favorite. Tender, crispy chicken breasts are coated with seasoned breadcrumbs and Parmesan, then baked to perfection. Paired with high-protein pasta, marinara sauce, and melty mozzarella, this dish is a deliciously satisfying, protein-packed meal that’s sure to please everyone!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (preferably whole wheat or panko for added protein)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for cooking)
For the Pasta:
- 8 oz high-protein pasta (chickpea, lentil, or protein-enriched pasta)
- 2 cups marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- In a shallow bowl, whisk the egg. In another shallow bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Dip each chicken breast into the egg, ensuring it’s fully coated, then dredge it in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to coat the chicken evenly on all sides.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the coated chicken breasts and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy. Transfer the chicken to the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake the chicken breasts in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and the chicken is cooked through.
- While the chicken bakes, cook the high-protein pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan, heat the marinara sauce over medium heat until warm.
- Once the chicken is done, remove it from the oven and spoon marinara sauce over the top of each breast. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese over the sauce.
- Return the chicken to the oven for another 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- To serve, toss the cooked pasta with the marinara sauce. Plate the pasta and top with the cheesy chicken Parmesan breasts.
- Garnish with fresh basil, if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
- You can use store-bought or homemade marinara sauce for convenience.
- Feel free to swap out the protein-enriched pasta with another type of pasta, though using high-protein varieties like chickpea or lentil pasta helps boost the protein content.
- If you want a lighter version, you can bake the chicken instead of frying it in oil.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baked, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Chicken Parmesan, High Protein Pasta, Healthy Chicken Parmesan, Protein-Enriched Pasta, Italian Pasta Dish, High-Protein Dinner