Description
A rich, comforting pasta dish perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. This creamy garlic butter chicken rigatoni combines tender seared chicken, velvety cream sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta for a restaurant-quality meal at home. Ideal for those seeking quick dinner ideas, indulgent comfort food, or an easy recipe to impress guests.
Ingredients
300 g rigatoni pasta
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
500 g boneless skinless chicken breast, cubed
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for topping
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Extra Parmesan for broiling (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rigatoni and cook just shy of al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, drain, and set aside.
2. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Pat chicken dry, season with salt and pepper, and sear until golden and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Remove and set aside.
3. Lower heat to medium, add garlic, and sauté 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stir in Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes, and simmer for 3–4 minutes until slightly thickened.
5. Stir in Parmesan until smooth. Add pasta and chicken back, toss to coat, and adjust thickness with pasta water if needed.
6. Optional: Transfer to a baking dish, top with extra Parmesan, and broil 2–3 minutes until golden.
7. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
Pasta shape swaps: Penne, ziti, or fusilli work great.
Use fresh garlic for the best flavor.
Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop (Optional Broil)
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 580
- Fat: 34
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Unsaturated Fat: 13
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 48
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 34
- Cholesterol: 140
Keywords: creamy pasta, garlic butter chicken pasta, rigatoni recipe, easy dinner, Italian pasta dish, quick weeknight meal, comfort food