Description
This Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken and Rigatoni in Parmesan Sauce is a rich and comforting Italian-inspired main course featuring tender chicken pieces and rigatoni pasta coated in a luscious, garlicky Parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, this dish combines the savory flavors of sautéed chicken, fragrant garlic, and creamy cheese sauce for a satisfying meal that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 pound rigatoni pasta
Chicken & Seasoning
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Sauce & Cooking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Rigatoni: Cook the rigatoni according to package instructions in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- Sauté Chicken: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until golden and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: Reduce heat to medium and add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, sauté the minced garlic for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in crushed red pepper flakes if using.
- Add Liquids: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Then add the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine & Finish: Add the cooked chicken and rigatoni pasta to the sauce, tossing to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, stir in reserved pasta water little by little until the desired consistency is reached.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve warm for a delicious, comforting meal.
Notes
- For extra flavor and better texture, brown the chicken in batches to avoid steaming.
- You can add spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for variation and added nutrition.
- Leftovers reheat well—add a splash of cream or broth to maintain creaminess when warming.