Marry-Me (Epouse-Moi) Chicken

1 . Stage

Combine panko bread crumbs, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper in a bowl. Place buttermilk, flour, and eggs each into 3 separate bowls.

2 . Stage

Dip chicken breasts into buttermilk, then dredge with flour. Dip flour-coated breast into egg and press firmly into panko mixture until fully coated on all sides.

3 . Stage

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place coated chicken breasts into the pan and cook until golden, crispy, and no longer pink in the centers, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove from the pan and slice through the middle of a chicken breast to check that it is fully cooked. Set aside on a paper towel-covered plate to absorb excess oil.

4 . Stage

Warm 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium heavy pot over medium heat. Add onion and shallot and saute until both are nearly clear, 5 to 7 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add tomatoes, basil, garlic, herbes de Provence, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Cook until tomatoes are softened and water coaxed from them begins to evaporate, about 10 minutes.

5 . Stage

Mix chicken broth and white wine into the pot. Bring to a simmer and maintain heat until sauce reduces, 5 to 7 minutes. Blend, using an immersion blender or a regular blender working in batches, until very smooth. Pour half-and-half into blended mixture and slowly add Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted. Use an immersion blender again to smooth sauce, if needed. Let simmer for another 10 minutes; season as needed.

6 . Stage

While sauce is simmering, fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Cook fettuccine at a boil until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain; place pasta onto a plate and top with sauce and panko-crusted chicken.