3 Cheesecake Factory Favorites – Chicken Bellagio, Salmon Salad & Cajun Jambalaya Pasta

Here are three homemade versions of the most popular Cheesecake Factory recipes.

The first is the totally delicious Chicken Bellagio with baby arugula, prosciutto and Parmesan/Romano Cheese.   I am not a fan of prosciutto so I usually order mine with sauteed mushrooms instead.  I mention that just in case you want to try that too, or just add mushrooms to the original recipe.

The second is their oh so good Almond Crusted Salmon on a bed of quinoa, kale, Brussels sprouts and arugula.

And of course, last but certainly not least, is one of their most requested dishes, Cajun Jambalaya Pasta, loaded with sauteed shrimp, chicken, peppers and Cajun spices.

You’ll notice that the serving size on the Chicken Bellagio recipe says it serves 1…really?  I think anyone that has eaten at the Cheesecake Factory knows that the portion sizes are huge.  I think this would serve 2 generous portions.  And the Cajun Jambalaya Pasta calls for a pound of chicken and 6 oz o shrimp.  The recipe says it serves 2, I am thinking it probably serves 3-4 but that is your call.

I am very happy to have found these recipes for you and I hope you enjoy them all!

Chicken Bellagio

Servings: 1

Ingredients

• 8 oz. Spaghettini Pasta
• 1 fz. Canola Oil
• 2 ea. Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (3 Oz.), Pounded Approximately 6” Wide
• 1/4 tsp. Kosher Salt
• 1/8 tsp. Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• 1 oz. All-Purpose Flour
• 2 fz. Egg Wash
• 2 oz. Seasoned Breadcrumbs
• 3 fz. Parmesan Cream Sauce
• 1-1/2 fz. Basil Oil
• 1/2 fz. Chicken Broth
• 1 tbl. Butter
• 1/4 oz. Parmesan/Romano Cheese Blend
• 1/2 tsp. Parsley, Chopped
• 3/4 oz. Prosciutto, Sliced 1/16”
• 1/2 oz. Baby Arugula
• 1/2 tsp. Olive Oil
• Pinch Kosher Salt
• Pinch Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• 1 tsp. Lemon Juice, Freshly Squeezed
• 1/4 oz. Parmesan/Romano Cheese Blend

Instructions

1. Drop the pasta into a pot of boiling salted water and cook until “al dente” (approx. 8 mins.)
2. Season the chicken breasts evenly (one side only) with salt and pepper.  Coat the chicken lightly with flour (both sides), shaking off any excess.  Dip the chicken into the egg wash, and then coat them evenly (both sides) with the seasoned breadcrumbs.  Gently press the breadcrumbs onto the chicken to help “set” the coating.
3. Ladle the oil onto a flat grill or into a large sauté pan and allow to heat.  Carefully place the breaded chicken breasts onto the grill or into the pan and cook until the chicken is crispy and has turned a light, even golden brown.  Turn the chicken over and continue to cook until done.
4. While the chicken and pasta are cooking, ladle the parmesan cream sauce into a small non-stick sauce pot or sauté pan set over medium heat.  Allow the sauce to come up to a boil, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.  As soon as the sauce begins to boil, remove it from the heat immediately.  Set aside and keep warm.
5. Ladle the basil oil and chicken broth into a large non-stick sauté pan set over medium heat.  Cook the sauce ingredients until heated through.  Add butter stirring to incorporate.  Continue to cook until just heated through.  Add the well-drained pasta and cheese to the pan tossing to incorporate.
6. Mound the pasta onto the center of the serving platter, leaving a 1” open border within the rim.  Ladle 2 fz. of the parmesan cream sauce onto the platter and around the pasta.
7. Place the chicken cutlets on top of the pasta at a slight angle (shingled if necessary).  When platted correctly, very little of the pasta will remain visible.  Drizzle the remaining parmesan cream sauce randomly over the chicken.  Sprinkle the chopped parsley evenly over the chicken and pasta.
8. Set the prosciutto slices around the top of the chicken forming a fluffy “crown” with an open area left in the center.
9. Place the arugula into a clean stainless steel mixing bowl.  Drizzle the oil into the bowl and over the arugula.  Squeeze the lemon wedge over the arugula and season with a little salt and pepper.  Add the parm/romano into the bowl.  Gently toss the ingredients together to coat the arugula with the dressing.  Mound the arugula on top of (centered) the chicken and over the pasta within the open area of the prosciutto “crown”.

Please see page two for the next recipe.