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Crispy Chicken Pillows with Easy Garlic Herb Parmesan Cream Sauce

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Golden, crispy chicken pillows paired with a luscious garlic herb Parmesan cream sauce create a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (120 g) for breading
  • 2 large eggs, beaten, room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups panko breadcrumbs (150 g) for extra crispiness
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese (25 g), mixed with panko for flavor and crunch
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Olive oil or vegetable oil, about ½ inch for frying
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter (42 g)
  • 3 fresh garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (16 g) to thicken the sauce
  • 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (50 g), freshly grated
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme, finely chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tsp lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Trim excess fat from chicken breasts and cut into 1 to 1.5 inch bite-sized pieces. Pat dry with paper towels.
  2. Set up three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of panko breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
  3. Dredge each chicken piece in flour, shake off excess, dip into egg, then coat thoroughly in breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture. Place coated pieces on a plate.
  4. Pour about ½ inch of oil into a skillet and heat over medium heat until shimmering (about 350°F). Test with a breadcrumb to ensure proper temperature.
  5. Fry chicken pieces in batches, avoiding overcrowding, for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F). Drain on paper towels.
  6. While frying, melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  7. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
  8. Slowly pour in heavy cream, whisking continuously until smooth. Simmer and cook until sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
  9. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and combined.
  10. Add chopped parsley and thyme, season with salt and pepper, and finish with lemon juice if using. Keep warm on low heat.
  11. Serve the crispy chicken pillows topped generously with the garlic herb Parmesan cream sauce. Garnish with extra Parmesan and herbs if desired.

Notes

Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor. Maintain medium heat when frying to keep chicken crispy without burning. If sauce thickens too much, whisk in a splash of cream or milk to loosen. Dry chicken pieces well before breading and avoid overcrowding the pan. Sauce can be made ahead and gently reheated with added cream. For gluten-free, substitute flour and breadcrumbs with gluten-free versions. Oven-bake option: bake at 400°F for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy chicken pillows, garlic herb Parmesan cream sauce, breaded chicken, comfort food, easy dinner, creamy sauce, panko chicken

Find it online: https://tessierecipes.com/crispy-chicken-pillows-recipe-easy-garlic-herb-parmesan-cream-sauce/