Description
Garlic Butter Chicken Rigatoni is a cozy, creamy pasta dish made with golden-seared chicken, buttery garlic sauce, and rich Parmesan cheese. It’s quick enough for a weeknight dinner but satisfying enough to impress guests. The ridged rigatoni holds onto every bit of the luscious sauce, making each bite absolutely crave-worthy.
Ingredients
2 large chicken breasts, diced
10 oz rigatoni pasta
4 cloves garlic, minced
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup reserved pasta water (as needed)
Instructions
1. Dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain.
3. In a large skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5–6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
4. Lower heat to medium. Melt remaining butter in the same skillet, then add garlic. Sauté until fragrant—about 1 minute.
5. Add heavy cream, stirring to combine. Simmer for 2 minutes.
6. Add cooked pasta and toss to coat. Use reserved pasta water to thin the sauce if needed.
7. Stir in Parmesan cheese and return chicken to the skillet. Toss until creamy and combined. Simmer 1–2 more minutes.
8. Garnish with parsley and extra Parmesan before serving.
Notes
Let the garlic cook just until golden, not browned, to avoid bitterness.
Don’t skip the pasta water—it’s perfect for adjusting sauce consistency.
Use freshly grated Parmesan for best melting and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 490mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
Keywords: chicken pasta, creamy garlic pasta, rigatoni recipe