Cottage Cheese Parmesan Firecracker Chicken Recipe
Cottage Cheese Parmesan Firecracker Chicken is a creamy, flavorful skillet dish featuring tender cubed chicken seared to golden perfection and coated in a spicy cottage cheese and Parmesan sauce. This quick and easy stovetop recipe balances the heat of paprika with the richness of cheeses, making it a comforting yet vibrant meal perfect for any weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 lb chicken breast or chicken thighs, cubed
- Salt, to taste
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon oil
Sauce
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Pat the cubed chicken dry, then season evenly with salt, paprika, and black pepper to ensure proper browning and flavor penetration.
- Heat the Skillet: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering, which helps prevent sticking and builds flavor.
- Sear the Chicken: Add the chicken in a single layer and cook undisturbed until the bottom side is golden brown, avoiding overcrowding to ensure searing rather than steaming.
- Flip and Cook Through: Turn the chicken pieces and cook until fully done and lightly golden on all sides; the chicken should feel firm yet juicy.
- Lower the Heat: Reduce the heat to low to maintain a gentle temperature for the sauce, preventing curdling and keeping it smooth.
- Add Cottage Cheese: Stir in the cottage cheese gently as it warms, allowing it to soften and create a creamy base for the sauce.
- Stir in Parmesan: Gradually add the grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until the sauce evenly coats the chicken for a silky texture.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the dish and fine-tune with additional salt or pepper as needed to balance the flavors perfectly.
- Simmer Briefly: Let the chicken simmer on low for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally to thicken the sauce slightly and prevent sticking.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from heat and let the dish rest for one minute, allowing the sauce to settle and cling beautifully to the chicken before serving.
Notes
- Patting the chicken dry before seasoning helps it sear properly without steaming.
- Do not overcrowd the pan for a better sear and caramelization.
- Use low heat when adding dairy to avoid curdling and ensure a creamy sauce.
- Gradually adding Parmesan helps the sauce achieve a smooth texture without clumping.
- Resting the cooked chicken with sauce enhances flavor absorption and texture.
Keywords: Cottage Cheese Parmesan Firecracker Chicken, creamy chicken skillet, stovetop chicken recipe, low-fat chicken dish, easy chicken dinner
