Description
This Cheesy Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Rigatoni in Alfredo Sauce recipe is a creamy, indulgent chicken pasta dinner perfect for garlic lovers. With golden-seared chicken, rich Alfredo sauce, and tender rigatoni pasta, it’s a comforting meal loaded with cheese, herbs, and spice. Ideal for family dinners or weekend gatherings, this garlic butter chicken pasta is a must-try. Keywords: cheesy chicken pasta, garlic butter chicken, Alfredo rigatoni, creamy chicken pasta recipe.
Ingredients
2 large chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
12 oz rigatoni pasta
3 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 ½ cups heavy cream
1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
2. Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken until golden and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
3. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook rigatoni until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of pasta water, then drain.
4. In the same skillet, melt remaining butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant (about 1 minute).
5. Pour in heavy cream and whisk until smooth. Let simmer for 2–3 minutes.
6. Add parmesan and mozzarella cheese. Stir until melted and sauce thickens. Add reserved pasta water if needed.
7. Toss cooked rigatoni into the Alfredo sauce to coat evenly.
8. Add chicken bites back into the skillet or layer on top for serving.
9. Garnish with chopped parsley and red pepper flakes before serving.
Notes
Use freshly grated cheese for best melt and flavor.
Don’t overcook garlic—it should be golden, not brown, to avoid bitterness.
Add pasta water slowly to control sauce consistency without thinning too much.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American/Italian Fusion
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 725
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 22g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 165mg