Description
This Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Rigatoni recipe is the ultimate comfort food for pasta lovers. Tender chicken pieces in a rich garlic butter parmesan sauce tossed with perfectly cooked rigatoni. It’s a simple weeknight dinner idea packed with flavor, and it’s kid-approved, perfect for meal prep, and indulgent enough for guests. Try this creamy chicken pasta dish tonight!
Ingredients
1 lb chicken breast or thighs, diced
12 oz rigatoni pasta
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp unsalted butter
1 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp Italian seasoning (or mixed herbs)
Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni until al dente, then drain, reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
2. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced chicken, season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Sear until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, melt butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Pour in heavy cream. Simmer 2–3 minutes on low heat until slightly thickened.
5. Stir in parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
6. Return the chicken and rigatoni to the skillet. Toss gently to coat in the sauce. Add pasta water a little at a time if needed to loosen the sauce.
7. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra parmesan. Serve hot.
Notes
Always reserve pasta water—it helps emulsify and smooth out the sauce.
Use freshly grated parmesan for the best melt and flavor.
For added depth, sear chicken until it has crispy golden edges before removing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Pasta Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 510mg
- Fat: 33g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 120mg