Description
A rich and creamy Garlic Butter Chicken with Rigatoni and Parmesan, combining tender seared chicken breast pieces with al dente pasta in a luscious garlic butter sauce infused with Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Garnished with fresh parsley for a flavorful, comforting Italian-inspired meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
For the Chicken and Sauce
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 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
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt (or to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
For Garnish
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining.
- Sear Chicken: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then sear them in the skillet until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Simmer Broth: In the same skillet, melt the butter and add the minced garlic. Sauté briefly until fragrant, about 30 seconds to a minute. Pour in the chicken broth, stirring to deglaze the pan and allow the mixture to simmer for a few minutes to reduce slightly.
- Add Cream and Cheese: Stir in the heavy cream and let the sauce thicken slightly over medium heat. Then add the grated Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning, stirring until the cheese has melted and created a creamy sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the drained rigatoni. Toss everything together gently to coat the pasta and chicken evenly with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water. Simmer for an additional minute to meld flavors.
- Serve and Garnish: Remove from heat and sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top for a fresh finish. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Use fresh Parmesan cheese for best flavor and smooth melting.
- You can substitute rigatoni with penne or other tubular pasta shapes.
- For a spicier dish, increase the red pepper flakes according to taste.
- If you prefer a lighter sauce, reduce the heavy cream slightly or use half-and-half.
- To make this dish gluten-free, substitute the rigatoni with gluten-free pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Garlic Butter Chicken, Rigatoni Pasta, Parmesan Sauce, Creamy Chicken Pasta, Italian Dinner, Easy Weeknight Meal
