Cheesecake Factory Chicken Bellagio with pesto pasta, Parmesan, crispy chicken and prosciutto for the perfect copycat meal with an authentic recipe!
Cheesecake Factory Chicken Bellagio (Copycat)
We’re going back to the Cheesecake Factory today! We’ve been big fans of copycat recipes from the Cheesecake Factory (you can see all the Cheesecake Factory copycats here) including my favorites, Cheesecake Factory Chicken Madeira and Cheesecake Factory Spicy Cashew Chicken.
This recipe is no exception. We make it often at home with all the parts of it except the prosciutto. We do love the prosciutto too but when its just for us and not guests all the other flavors combined still make up a crazy delicious dinner.
This dish has some steps to making it and a couple of mini recipes within the main recipe but the results are SPECTACULAR. The recipe comes from the Cheesecake Factory for most of the ingredients but the Parmesan Cream Sauce and the Basil Oil are my own recipes.
How do you make Basil Oil?
Blanche 1 cup of fresh basil leaves in ice water after boiling for one minute. Squeeze out the water and puree with 1/2 cup olive oil until smooth. Use within one week.
How do you make Parmesan Cream Sauce?
Add 1/4 cup butter and flour to a pan and melt. Whisk well and cook for 30 seconds before slowly pouring in 1 cup of heavy cream. Add in 6 ounces of shaved Parmesan and whisk well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
What is the difference between prosciutto and bacon?
Bacon is made by brining then smoking pork belly. Prosciutto is made by curing with salt and pepper but no smoking. It is also rolled into a spiral to keep the shape.
What is in Chicken Bellagio?
Chicken Bellagio is a pasta dish mixed with a basil oil sauce, Parmesan cream sauce, crispy chicken, prosciutto and arugula finished with a bit of lemon juice. It’s creamy, herby, full of delicious, fresh flavors, and a perfect bowl of comfort food.
Tools used in the making of this Cheesecake Factory Chicken Bellagio:
Small food processor: perfect for small sauces when a bigger one would require more ingredients.
Cast Iron Skillet: This is my most used pan in my kitchen, heavy, keeps heat well and gives the BEST sear ever.
Pig Tail Flipper: I use this to flip the chicken without damaging the skin and its super easy. I use this tool EVERY time I cook something that requires flipping, it is amazing.
Chicken Base: I almost never buy boxes of broth because I keep the beef, chicken and vegetable version of this Better Than Bouillon.
Cheesecake Factory Chicken Bellagio (Copycat)
Ingredients
CHICKEN:
- 1 pound thin spaghetti
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 3 tablespoons canola oil
PARMESAN CREAM SAUCE:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 6 ounces shaved parmesan
- 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon white pepper
BASIL OIL:
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup olive oil
TO FINISH THE DISH:
- 1/2 cup basil oil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 ounces shaved Parmesan
- 1 lemon cut into wedges
- parsley optional
Instructions
CHICKEN:
- Cook the pasta to one minute shy of the directions.
- Place the chicken between two pieces of saran wrap.
- Pound the chicken to a 3/4 inch thickness with either a mallet or rolling pin.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
- Dredge the chicken in flour, then beaten eggs, then breadcrumbs.
- Add the oil to a large cast iron skillet or heavy pan on medium high heat.
Cook the chicken in the pan for 5-7 minutes on each side or until golden brown (as pictured).
- Wipe out the oil and crumbs and leave skillet for finishing dish.
PARMESAN SAUCE:
- Add the butter to the pan and let melt on medium heat.
Add the flour and whisk well, let cook for 30 seconds.
- Add in the cream slowly while whisking.
- Add in the Parmesan, salt and pepper and whisk until thickened.
- Remove from heat for serving.
BASIL OIL:
- Set a pot of water to boil and a large bowl of ice water to the side.
Blanche the basil for 1 minute then remove the basil to the ice water.
- Remove from ice water and squeeze dry.
- In a small food processor add the basil and oil and puree.
- Use basil oil within a week (trust me you’ll want to put it on everything).
TO FINISH THE DISH:
- Add 1/2 cup of basil oil, chicken broth and butter to the skillet and heat over medium heat.
- Add the pasta back in along with the shaved Parmesan and toss to coat.
Plate with pasta, topped with cooked chicken, more Parmesan cheese (if desired), the cream sauce, more of the basil oil, a slice of the prosciutto rolled up and arugula leaves to top.
- Squeeze a wedge of lemon over the plate and serve.
I followed this recipe to the T. Cream sauce turned out like paste, and I know how to make cream sauce. It calls for parsley I. The ingredients, not the arugula you mention I. The directions. Try this recipe again for yourself
By shaved parmesan do you mean shaved right then and there off the block into the pan? Or are those tubs of pre shaved parmesan from the market fine to toss into the pan?
You can use either.
So the parmesan sauce is absolutely off. I ended up with cheese goo and not sauce.
Did you use pre grated cheese? Most bags contain a coating on the cheese and it get like a blob when making a sauce.
Thanks for sharing! I will make this today.
Greetings from Athens Greece.
How did it turn out for you? Hope you enjoyed!
Home run! This is the best dish in the entire world!!!! Wow. I doubled the recipe and my guest were blown away. Thank you so much for sharing your passion!
That’s awesome to hear!! I love when it’s a hit for a dinner party 🙂 Thanks for letting me know and making my day.
Home Run! This was spot on and blew my family away! Wow, words cannot express how delicious this meal is.
I actually really liked the recipe. Very delicious. I love cooking from scratch and knowing all the ingredients used in my meals.
Love to hear that! Glad you liked it!
Is the amount of Parmesan in the sauce correct? I used 6 oz like it says and it’s a thick gloopy mess. Maybe 2 oz?
The amount is correct. I’m thinking that you cooked down the liquid too much before adding the cheese which caused it to not melt properly. Hope this helps for next time.
You need to add broth the consistency is off it’s a very confusing recipe. I made the parmesan sauce and it was clumpy. I added broth and it worked
I LOVE this item from Cheesecake Factory! Thank you for breaking down how to make the basil oil and Parmesan cream sauce! I do think you were confusing prosciutto, which is more like ham, with pancetta, which is like bacon that is not smoked and rolled. 🙂
could you suggest what kind of breadcrumbs to use? brand or type
I actually forget what brand I used (might have been on sale at the grocery store). You can use whatever brand you prefer. 🙂
When do you add the Parmesan Cream Sauce into the dish? I see where you add additional sauce at the end, but not sure where to add it otherwise. Thank you!
Thanks for catching that! You’ll want to just add it at the end when you’re plating it to serve. Hope you enjoy it!
The Chicken Bellagio is my fave from Cheesecake Factory. I especially like their pesto sauce! Thank you for sharing this recipe. I can’t wait to try it!
Looks interesting, I’m willing to give it a try (I’ve never had it at the cheesecake factory cos there’s none around her, so I can’t compare)
Note: Pancetta is cured pork belly, prosciutto is cured pork leg
It looks absolutely delicious and decadent!! Looking forward to trying this recipe. Question: Are you using pancetta (which is usually rolled, salt-cured, unsmoked pork that requires cooking) or prosciutto (cured pork/ham that does NOT require cooking)?
Thank you so much for catching that! I just edited to show correctly now but yes, I’m using prosciutto not pancetta. I’ve got to have more coffee while editing, lol!!
Should I add prosciutto right from package or do I add it after it’s sautéed a bit?
No need to sautee it first.
I need a napkin to wipe my mouth, because just looking at this dish makes my mouth water. Yummy!
Thanks Ivory!
Nothing better than an easy and delicious dinner!
Definitely!
Is there a way I can make the basil oil without a food processor?
You could use a blender.
This looks fantastic!! I can’t wait to try this recipe!!!
Thanks Katerina!
Wow what a great dinner recipe. It does truly look sensational. I wish I could have had something similar like this tonight!
Thanks!
I want to eat some of this right now!
Thanks Delaney!
This is my go to dish when I am at The Cheesecake Factory. I am so excited to try and make it at home now. It looks delicious.
Thanks! I’d love to hear what you think after making it!
Love copycat recipes, especially this one! Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome!