Description
This Garlic Butter Chicken with Rigatoni and Parmesan is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken pieces sautéed in garlic butter, combined with rigatoni pasta and a rich Parmesan cheese sauce. It’s a comforting and easy-to-make dinner perfect for weeknights or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
Chicken and Seasoning
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Sauce and Garnish
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook Rigatoni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni pasta and cook until al dente, usually about 10-12 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Sear Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then add them to the skillet. Cook until golden brown and cooked through, around 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Create Sauce Base: Pour in ½ cup chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Allow it to reduce slightly for a couple of minutes.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Stir in 1 cup of heavy cream and let it thicken slightly, cooking for 3-4 minutes. Then add ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese along with the Italian seasoning and optional red pepper flakes. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce is creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, add the drained rigatoni, and toss everything together to coat the pasta and chicken with the sauce. If needed, add some reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce. Simmer for an additional minute to meld flavors.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, sprinkle with 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately for a deliciously creamy garlic butter chicken pasta dish.
Notes
- You can substitute rigatoni with penne or other tubular pasta.
- For a spicier dish, increase or omit the red pepper flakes as preferred.
- If the sauce is too thick, adding reserved pasta water helps achieve the desired consistency.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and texture.
- Leftover pasta can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Garlic Butter Chicken, Rigatoni Pasta, Parmesan, Creamy Pasta, Italian Chicken Recipe
