Zesty Romano Chicken & Lemon Garlic Pasta Recipe

The sizzling aroma of Romano chicken dances through the kitchen, promising a culinary adventure that tantalizes every sense.

Perfectly seasoned meat meets vibrant, zesty pasta in this irresistible dish that brings Mediterranean flavors right to your plate.

Fresh herbs and rich Romano cheese create a harmonious blend of textures and tastes that will make your taste buds sing.

Each forkful tells a story of simple ingredients transformed into something extraordinary.

The lemon garlic sauce adds a bright, bold kick that cuts through the richness of the chicken.

Tender, juicy chicken paired with al dente pasta creates a meal that feels both comforting and elegant.

Dive into this restaurant-quality recipe that promises to become a weeknight favorite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 590 kcal

Servings: 3

Romano Chicken with Lemon Garlic Pasta Ingredient Lineup

• Parmesan Or Romano Cheese: Adds rich, tangy flavor and creates crispy exterior for chicken, choose freshly grated for best texture.
• Panko Breadcrumbs: Provides light, crunchy coating, select Japanese-style breadcrumbs for extra crispiness.
• Eggs: Helps breading stick to chicken, acts as binding agent for perfect crust.
• Dried Parsley: Brings subtle herbal note to egg mixture, enhances overall seasoning.

• Chicken Cutlets: Tender protein base of dish, select evenly sized cutlets for consistent cooking.
• Salt And Pepper: Essential seasoning to enhance chicken's natural flavor, use freshly ground for maximum impact.
• Cooking Oil: Creates golden, crispy exterior when frying chicken, choose neutral oil with high smoke point.

• Lemon Juice: Provides bright, zesty flavor, use fresh-squeezed for most vibrant taste.
• Garlic: Adds robust, aromatic base to sauce, select fresh cloves for maximum pungency.
• Lemon Zest: Intensifies citrus notes, use microplane for fine, even zesting.
• Butter: Creates smooth, rich sauce texture, choose high-quality unsalted butter.
• Whipping Cream: Adds luxurious creaminess, select fresh heavy cream for best results.
• Pasta Water: Helps bind sauce, contains starchy elements for perfect consistency.

Kitchen Tools for Romano Chicken with Lemon Garlic Pasta

• Large Skillet: Essential for cooking chicken and preparing pasta sauce, ensuring even heat distribution.
• Three Shallow Dishes: Perfect for breading chicken with cheese, egg, and breadcrumbs.
• Grater: Needed to grate Parmesan or Romano cheese.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helps measure ingredients accurately.
• Tongs: Great for flipping chicken and handling pasta.
• Colander: Used to drain cooked pasta.
• Cutting Board: For zesting and preparing lemon and garlic.
• Sharp Knife: Required for mincing garlic and zesting lemon.

Cooking Instructions for Romano Chicken with Lemon Garlic Pasta

Cheese Crusted Delight

• Breading Station Setup Arrange three wide dishes with grated Romano cheese, whisked eggs with parsley, and crispy panko breadcrumbs.
• Chicken Preparation Season chicken cutlets with salt and pepper, then delicately coat each piece first in cheese, next dunk in egg mixture, and finally roll in breadcrumbs, pressing gently to create a perfect crust.
• Golden Cooking Heat oil in a skillet over gentle warmth, carefully placing chicken cutlets and cooking until they transform into a gorgeous golden brown with a crispy exterior.
• Pasta Magic Boil pasta until tender, saving a splash of starchy water before draining.
• Zesty Sauce Creation Combine bright lemon juice, fragrant garlic, and lemon zest in a pan, reducing liquid to concentrate flavors.
• Creamy Transformation Swirl cold butter into the sauce, letting it melt and create a silky texture. Add cream and a touch of reserved pasta water for luxurious consistency.
• Final Assembly Toss pasta in the velvety sauce, then crown with the crispy Romano chicken, creating a restaurant-worthy dish that sparkles with Mediterranean flair.

Romano Chicken Pasta – Tips to Make it Shine

• Ensure a perfectly golden, crunchy chicken exterior by pressing the panko breadcrumbs firmly onto the cutlets, creating a seal that locks in moisture and creates a delightful texture.
• Save that starchy pasta water as a secret weapon – its natural thickening properties help create a silky, clingy sauce that hugs every strand of pasta beautifully.
• Cook chicken over medium-low heat to prevent burning the delicate breadcrumb coating while guaranteeing the meat remains juicy and tender throughout.
• Enhance the lemon garlic sauce by adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or fresh herbs like basil or parsley for an extra layer of brightness and complexity that elevates the entire dish.
• Prepare the breaded chicken cutlets in advance and refrigerate, covered, for up to 2 hours before cooking. This technique allows the coating to set and creates an even crispier result when you're ready to fry.

Serving Ideas for Romano Chicken with Lemon Garlic Pasta

• Elegant Dinner Presentation: Layer the golden Romano chicken atop the creamy lemon garlic pasta for a restaurant-style plating that impresses guests and elevates the dining experience.
• Herb Garnish Magic: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley or basil over the dish to add a bright pop of color and fresh herbal notes that complement the rich flavors of the chicken and pasta.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Serve with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to balance the creamy sauce and cut through the richness of the breaded chicken.
• Sidekick Suggestions: Add a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette or roasted asparagus spears to create a complete meal that offers a refreshing contrast to the main dish.

How to Keep Romano Chicken Pasta Fresh

• Smart Batch Cooking: Prepare extra chicken cutlets and pasta sauce during the weekend, storing them separately in airtight containers for quick weeknight meals. Refrigerated portions stay delicious for 3-4 days.
• Freezer-Friendly Portions: Wrap individual chicken cutlets in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze uncoated cutlets for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before breading and cooking.
• Sauce Separation Strategy: Keep the lemon garlic sauce and pasta separate when storing to maintain optimal texture. Reheat pasta with a splash of reserved pasta water to restore creaminess and prevent dryness.
• Ingredient Prep Hack: Grate cheese, chop garlic, and zest lemons in advance. Store prepped ingredients in sealed containers in the refrigerator, cutting down meal preparation time by 15-20 minutes.

Tantalizing Romano Chicken with Lemon Garlic Pasta

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4.5 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Savory Romano chicken with lemon garlic pasta brings classic Italian flavors to home kitchens. Crispy herb-crusted chicken nestles over silky noodles, delivering robust Mediterranean comfort perfect for weeknight dinners and weekend entertaining.

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Ingredients

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• ½ lb (226 g) chicken breasts, butterflied or thinly cut into cutlets
• ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
• ½ cup finely grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
• ½ lb (226 g) linguine, spaghetti, or other pasta
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps cold butter, divided
• 2–3 tbsps whipping cream
• 1 egg, beaten
• Juice from 1 lemon
• Zest from ¼ lemon
• Olive oil and sunflower oil combination for frying
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• Dry parsley, to taste

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Instructions

1. Cheese Station Prep: Arrange three shallow dishes – one with grated Romano cheese, another with whisked egg and parsley, and the final with panko breadcrumbs.
2. Chicken Coating: Season chicken cutlets, then methodically layer each piece by first coating in cheese, submerging in egg mixture, and finally encrusting with panko crumbs, ensuring comprehensive coverage and pressing gently to create a uniform crispy shell.
3. Pan Searing: Warm oil in skillet over medium-low heat, strategically positioning breaded cutlets with adequate spacing, cooking until exterior turns golden-brown and interior reaches perfect doneness, rotating once midway through cooking process.
4. Pasta Preparation: Cook pasta according to package instructions, reserving starchy cooking liquid before draining, then set aside.
5. Sauce Creation: In separate skillet, combine lemon juice, garlic, zest, salt, and pepper, reducing liquid until slightly concentrated, then gradually incorporate cold butter while continuously stirring, introducing whipping cream and reserved pasta water to develop a smooth, luxurious sauce.
6. Final Assembly: Thoroughly coat pasta with lemon-garlic sauce, plate by creating a pasta foundation and crowning with crispy Romano chicken cutlets, ready to serve.

Notes

• Cheese Coating Technique: Press grated Romano cheese firmly onto chicken to create a robust, flavorful crust that locks in moisture and adds rich, salty depth.
• Breadcrumb Press Method: Gently but firmly press panko crumbs into chicken surface to ensure maximum crispiness and even golden-brown coverage.
• Sauce Emulsification Tip: Whisk cold butter gradually into sauce to create a smooth, velvety texture that prevents separation and enhances flavor complexity.
• Pasta Water Magic: Reserve starchy pasta water to help sauce cling perfectly to noodles, adding silky consistency and helping ingredients bind together seamlessly.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 590
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg