Description
Creamy, savory, and incredibly satisfying—this Garlic Butter Chicken with Rigatoni and Parmesan brings comfort food to a new level. Juicy chicken is seared in garlic butter, paired with al dente rigatoni, and coated in a rich Parmesan cream sauce. A weeknight dinner winner that feels like a restaurant indulgence at home.
Ingredients
2 large chicken breasts, cubed
10 oz rigatoni pasta
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
2. Season cubed chicken breasts with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sear until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
3. Reduce heat to medium and add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
4. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan until fully melted and smooth. Add reserved pasta water as needed to adjust sauce consistency.
5. Return the chicken to the skillet and stir to coat in sauce. Add cooked rigatoni and toss everything together until evenly combined.
6. Garnish with additional Parmesan and fresh parsley if using. Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
For extra depth of flavor, brown the butter slightly before adding garlic.
Always grate Parmesan fresh from the block—it melts better and tastes richer.
If your sauce thickens too much while sitting, just stir in a splash of warm cream or milk to revive it.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1/4 of total)
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
Keywords: creamy pasta, garlic butter, rigatoni, chicken dinner