se Parmesan Firecracker Chicken is a cozy yet bold skillet dinner made with tender chicken cubes simmered in a creamy cottage cheese and Parmesan sauce. Paprika and black pepper add gentle heat while the cheese melts into a rich, comforting coating. This one-pan recipe delivers big flavor with simple ingredients and feels festive, warm, and satisfying without being heavy.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb chicken breast or thigh cubes
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon oil
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Season the chicken cubes with salt, paprika, and black pepper.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chicken in a single layer and cook until golden on the bottom, then flip and cook until fully cooked through.
- Lower the heat and add the cottage cheese to the skillet.
- Stir gently as the cottage cheese warms and begins to melt into a creamy sauce.
- Add the Parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce becomes smooth and coats the chicken evenly.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly, then remove from heat and serve warm.
Notes
- Use full-fat cottage cheese for the creamiest sauce.
- Lower heat before adding cottage cheese to prevent curdling.
- Chicken thighs stay extra juicy but breasts work well too.
- Add chili flakes or cayenne for more heat if desired.
- Serve immediately or reheat gently with a splash of milk if needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
