Description
This Garlic Butter Chicken with Rigatoni and Parmesan is a creamy, savory pasta dish where tender chicken is seared to perfection and combined with a rich garlic butter sauce, Parmesan cheese, and al dente rigatoni. It’s an easy, comforting meal perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
Chicken and Seasonings
- 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
- 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
Garnish
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook Rigatoni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rigatoni pasta and cook until al dente, following package instructions (usually about 10-12 minutes). Reserve ½ cup of the pasta cooking water before draining the pasta.
- Sear Chicken: While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the cut chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Add chicken to the hot skillet and sear until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Make Sauce Base: In the same skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute, being careful not to burn it. Pour in ½ cup chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Stir in 1 cup heavy cream and allow the sauce to thicken slightly by simmering for 2-3 minutes. Gradually add ¾ cup of grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until melted and smooth. Season with Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes if using.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet, then add the drained rigatoni pasta. Toss everything together thoroughly to coat the pasta and chicken in the creamy garlic butter sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a little reserved pasta water to loosen it. Simmer for an additional minute to meld flavors.
- Serve: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley. Serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if needed.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and smooth melting.
- Feel free to add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for additional nutrition.
- Substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a lighter taste or to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Make sure not to burn the garlic to avoid bitterness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Garlic Butter Chicken, Rigatoni, Parmesan, Creamy Pasta, Italian Chicken Pasta
