Kid-Friendly Cheesy Broccoli Spaghetti with Italian-Style Chicken Cutlets

Name: Kid-Friendly Cheesy Broccoli Spaghetti with Italian-Style Chicken Cutlets
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 14.5 Oz Protein Spaghetti; 2 Heads of Broccoli (Steamed); 4 Tbsp Salted Butter; 1/4 Cup Purpose Flour; 1 1/2 Cups Whole Milk; 2 tsp Garlic Powder; 2 tsp Oniion Powder; 1/2 tsp Ground Mustard Powder; 1/2 Cup Parmesan Cheese (Grated); 4 Oz Neufchatel Cheese; 8 Oz Medium Cheddar Cheese (Shredded); 3 Boneless Skinnless Chicken Breasts; 2 Cups Vegetable oil; 2 Eggs (Lightly beaten); 1 Cup Italian Seasoned Breadcrumbs; 1/3 Cup Parmesan Cheese (Grated); 1/4 Cup Fresh Italian Parsley (Finely chopped)

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This Kid-Friendly Cheesy Broccoli Spaghetti with Italian-Style Chicken Cutlets is a creamy, crunchy, cheesy dish that my kids can’t get enough of. The spaghetti is tossed in a rich broccoli cheese sauce, and those golden Italian-style chicken cutlets add the perfect crispy bite. It’s comfort food that feels fancy, but is on the table in about 30 minutes. This is one of those weeknight dinners that just works — every single time.

Cheddar Broccoli Pasta served on a deep dish plate with fried Italian-Style chicken cutlets.

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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
Step-by-Step Instructions
Expert Tips
More Recipes You'll Love
📖 Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This one's a guaranteed family hit. It's rich, creamy, and loaded with kid-approved flavor, but it also sneaks in a healthy dose of broccoli without a complaint. The chicken cutlets are juicy on the inside with a perfectly seasoned crust, and the cheesy protein spaghetti ties it all together. Plus, it's an easy, affordable meal that uses everyday ingredients. No fancy tricks, just good food that brings a smile to everyone's face.

If you love pasta recipes, check out this Rigatoni D Recipe... It's my wife's favorite!

Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this creamy, cheesy spaghetti and those crispy Italian-style chicken cutlets that your whole family will love:

Protein Spaghetti – hearty and satisfying, with a little extra boost of protein to make this family favorite feel just a bit healthier.
Pasta Water – the secret weapon for a smooth, creamy sauce that coats every noodle perfectly.
Salt and Pepper – simple, classic seasoning that enhances every single flavor in this dish.
Fresh Broccoli – steamed until tender and bright green for a burst of color and veggie goodness.
Butter – the foundation of your sauce, adding that signature richness and homemade flavor.
Flour – thickens the sauce into that luscious, velvety consistency that clings to the pasta.
Whole Milk – creates a silky-smooth base that brings everything together beautifully.
Garlic Powder – for that warm, savory depth that makes every bite pop.
Onion Powder – a mild, sweet flavor that rounds out the sauce and complements the cheese.
Ground Mustard – adds a subtle tang that balances out all that cheesy richness.
Medium Cheddar Cheese – the star of the show, giving the sauce its bold, creamy, cheesy flavor.
Parmesan Cheese – adds that nutty, salty depth that takes the sauce to another level.
Neufchâtel Cheese – makes the sauce even creamier with a little tang to balance the cheddar.
Shredded Parmesan – perfect for topping and adding just a bit of texture to finish the dish.
Fresh Italian Parsley – adds brightness and a pop of fresh flavor, tying everything together.
Chicken Breasts – boneless and skinless, ideal for frying up into juicy, golden Italian-style cutlets.
Vegetable Oil – for perfectly crisping those chicken cutlets to a golden brown.
Eggs – help the breadcrumb coating stick perfectly to the chicken.
Seasoned Italian Breadcrumbs – bring that herby, crunchy coating that makes the chicken irresistible.
Grated Parmesan – adds a savory, salty layer right into the breading for even more flavor.
Fresh Italian Parsley (for the cutlets) – finely chopped and mixed into the breadcrumbs for a little color and a fresh bite in every crunchy coating.

See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Milk being poured into a flour, butter, and cheese mixture for a cheese sauce.

Step 1: Begin by steaming the broccoli and boiling the pasta.

Be sure to boil the pasta just before al dente, as it will also help to thicken the cheese sauce.

While the broccoli and pasta cook, chop the parsley, cut the chicken in half lengthwise, and pound it to make it even and thin.

Then melt the butter in a large cast-iron skillet or pan.

Once the butter is melted, sprinkle in the flour and whisk until fully incorporated.

Slowly pour in the milk, whisking continuously to create the roux.

Now whisk in the garlic, onion, and mustard powder.

Whisk in the grated parmesan and then add the Neufchatel cheese.

Fold in the shredded cheddar cheese in batches until it's all fully melted and incorporated.

Steamed broccoli and cooked spaghetti being folded into a cheesy pasta sauce.

Step 2: Add the steamed broccoli and cooked pasta to the cheesy sauce, stirring to fully coat the noodles and evenly distribute the broccoli.

Chicken being dipped in eggs and a breadcrumb mixture for Italian-Style chicken cutlets.

Step 3: Time to work on the chicken!

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the bread crumbs, chopped Italian Parsley, and grated Parmesan cheese.

Whisk the egg. Dip a chicken cutlet in egg, then in the breadcrumb mixture, and set aside.

An Italian-Style Chicken Cutlet being fried in a cast iron skillet.

Step 4: Once you have breaded all of the chicken cutlets heat the oil in a cast-iron skillet until it reaches 350 degrees farenheit.

Fry the chicken for about 5 minutes on each side or until golden and crispy.

Set the chicken aside on a cooling rack.

Once all the chicken is cooked, plate the pasta with the sliced chicken on the side and sprinkle with freshly shredded Parmesan cheese, and enjoy.

Expert Tips

Don’t overcook the broccoli. Add it at the end so it stays bright and tender.
Pound your chicken cutlets evenly so they cook evenly.
Save that pasta water! It’s the secret to silky, restaurant-style sauce.
Add a dash of red pepper flakes for a grown-up kick (optional, of course).
Serve with a slice of Homemade Garlic Bread and a quick green salad for the perfect weeknight dinner spread.

Can I use Frozen Broccoli

Absolutely! Just thaw it first and pat it dry before adding it to the pasta to avoid extra water in the sauce.

Can I substitute another pasta?

Yes — penne, fettuccine, or even rotini work great here. Anything that holds onto that cheesy sauce is a win.

What cheese works best?

Mild Cheddar gives you the creamy, cheesy flavor the kids love, and Parmesan adds a salty bite. You can also use sharp cheddar if you prefer.

More Recipes You'll Love

Broccoli Cheddar Spaghetti with sliced Italian chicken cutlets topped with shredded parmesan cheese.

If you made this Broccoli Cheddar Spaghetti and Italian Chicken Cutlet recipe or any other of my recipes, please leave a Star Rating and let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

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