Description
This Garlic Butter Chicken with Rigatoni and Parmesan is a creamy, flavorful pasta dish featuring tender sautéed chicken pieces enveloped in a rich garlic butter sauce with Parmesan cheese. The rigatoni pasta perfectly absorbs the creamy sauce, making this recipe a comforting and satisfying meal ideal for weeknight dinners or any occasion.
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)
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
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Garnish
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni until al dente, following package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain the rigatoni and set aside.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in a skillet. Season the bite-sized chicken pieces with salt and black pepper, then sear them in the skillet until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- Make the sauce base: In the same skillet, melt the butter and add the minced garlic. Sauté briefly until fragrant but not browned. Pour in the chicken broth and let it simmer to combine the flavors.
- Add cream and cheese: Stir in the heavy cream and allow the mixture to thicken slightly over medium heat. Then add the grated Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning, stirring until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine ingredients: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the rigatoni pasta. Toss everything to coat well with the creamy sauce. Add reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce. Let everything simmer together for an additional minute to meld flavors.
- Serve: Transfer to serving plates and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Optionally, sprinkle with red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
Notes
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if it becomes too thick.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and texture.
- Adjust salt and spices according to your taste preferences.
- Serve immediately for best taste as the sauce may thicken upon standing.
- You can substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a slightly different flavor.
- 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, Easy Dinner Recipe
