Description
This Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Rigatoni is the ultimate comfort food — juicy golden chicken tossed in a silky garlic cream sauce and wrapped around perfectly cooked rigatoni. It’s easy enough for a weeknight but rich enough to impress.
Ingredients
12 oz rigatoni pasta
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into cubes
3 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Add to skillet and sear until golden and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Pour in the heavy cream and stir. Let simmer gently for 3–4 minutes. Add grated Parmesan and stir continuously until melted and smooth.
5. Return cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to coat in the sauce. Add drained rigatoni and gently toss everything together.
6. Serve warm, garnished with extra Parmesan and parsley if desired.
Notes
Grate your own Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and a smoother melt.
Use room-temperature chicken for more even cooking and better browning.
Want to stretch it? Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach in with the garlic.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stove-Top
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 21g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Keywords: creamy rigatoni, garlic chicken pasta