This Garlic Butter Chicken with Rigatoni and Parmesan is the ultimate weeknight dinner comfort food. Tender bites of chicken breast are pan-seared until golden, then tossed with al dente rigatoni pasta in a rich, garlicky butter sauce. Finished with a generous dusting of freshly grated Parmesan and a sprinkle of parsley, this dish is everything creamy, savory, and satisfying in one skillet.

What makes this recipe a favorite is its simplicity paired with decadent flavor. You don’t need hours or a pantry full of fancy ingredients to pull off something this crave-worthy. It comes together quickly and makes even a regular Tuesday feel a little indulgent. Great for busy nights or casual dinner parties, it’s one of those recipes you’ll return to over and over.

Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

Before diving into the cooking, having the right tools makes the process smoother and guarantees better results:

Large Skillet or Sauté Pan: A wide-bottomed skillet gives the chicken enough room to brown without steaming. Non-stick or stainless steel both work well.
Large Pot for Pasta: You’ll need plenty of water and space for the rigatoni to cook evenly without clumping.
Sharp Knife and Cutting Board: For cubing the chicken uniformly, which ensures even cooking.

Microplane or Cheese Grater: Freshly grated Parmesan melts and blends better than pre-shredded versions.
Garlic Press (optional): For quickly mincing garlic while preserving flavor oils.

With these tools at your side, making this savory skillet dinner becomes an easy, enjoyable task.

Ingredients for the Garlic Butter Chicken with Rigatoni and Parmesan

Each component of this dish plays a role in building creamy, garlic-forward flavor that’s balanced by the savory chicken and comforting pasta:

Chicken Breast (Boneless, Skinless) – The main protein. Its neutral flavor soaks up the garlic butter sauce perfectly.
Rigatoni Pasta – Rigatoni’s ridges and tubular shape make it ideal for catching every bit of the creamy, cheesy sauce.

Unsalted Butter – The base of the sauce, giving it richness and smoothness.
Fresh Garlic Cloves – Key flavor element. Garlic adds that signature boldness and warmth.
Parmesan Cheese (Freshly Grated) – Adds saltiness, umami, and creaminess. It ties everything together.

Heavy Cream – Introduces creaminess and a luxurious texture to the sauce.
Olive Oil – Helps sear the chicken to a golden crust while keeping it juicy.
Salt & Black Pepper – Simple seasonings that enhance every flavor in the dish.

Chopped Fresh Parsley – A final fresh touch that adds color and a slight herby note.

How To Make the Garlic Butter Chicken with Rigatoni and Parmesan

Step 1: Sear the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken breast, season with salt and pepper, and sear until golden and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.

Step 2: Boil the Rigatoni

In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the rigatoni pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.

Step 3: Make the Garlic Butter Sauce

In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium-low and melt butter. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in heavy cream, reserved pasta water, and bring to a light simmer.

Step 4: Add Cheese and Blend

Whisk in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until melted and the sauce becomes creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Step 5: Toss Everything Together

Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, then add the cooked rigatoni. Toss until everything is well coated with the garlic butter Parmesan sauce.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Top with additional Parmesan and chopped parsley before serving hot.

How to Serve and Store Garlic Butter Chicken with Rigatoni and Parmesan

Serve this dish immediately after cooking while the sauce is silky and the pasta is at peak texture. A sprinkle of fresh parsley and a final dusting of Parmesan right before plating gives it a finished, restaurant-style flair. Pair it with a crisp side salad or roasted vegetables to round out your meal.

To store leftovers, transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce and warm it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. This helps bring back that creamy consistency without drying out the pasta.

Frequently Asked Questions

What other pasta can I use if I don’t have rigatoni?

You can substitute rigatoni with penne, ziti, or even fusilli. Just make sure it’s a pasta shape that holds sauce well.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, but it’s best served fresh. You can prep the chicken and cook the pasta in advance, then quickly reheat and toss together when you’re ready to serve.

Is there a dairy-free version of this recipe?

You can use dairy-free butter and coconut cream instead of heavy cream. Nutritional yeast or vegan Parmesan substitutes work as well, though the flavor will differ slightly.

Can I add vegetables to this dish?

Absolutely! Sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes are excellent add-ins that blend beautifully with the sauce.

How do I keep the chicken juicy?

Avoid overcooking the chicken—sear it until just golden and cooked through. Using a thermometer to check that it reaches 165°F internally helps keep it moist.

Can I freeze this recipe?

It’s not ideal. Cream-based sauces tend to separate after freezing. If you must, freeze the chicken and pasta separately, then make the sauce fresh when serving.

Want More Pasta Ideas with a Twist?

If this creamy Garlic Butter Chicken with Rigatoni made your dinner feel extra cozy, you might enjoy trying out these other favorites from my kitchen:

One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Mac & Cheese for an easy, cheesy twist on a classic.
Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Rotini in Parmesan Sauce if you want a close cousin to this rigatoni dish.

Beef and Rotini in Garlic Parmesan Sauce for a beefier alternative with just as much garlic goodness.
Cheesy Garlic Chicken and Broccoli Pasta to sneak in some greens without sacrificing flavor.
Creamy Alfredo Lasagna Soup if you’re in the mood for pasta in a bowl.

Save This Recipe for Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time: Life With Olivia on Pinterest.

And don’t forget to leave a comment—Did you toss in mushrooms? Add a pinch of chili flakes? Maybe went full comfort and added extra cheese?

I love seeing how others make these recipes their own. Feel free to share tips, questions, or your delicious results!

Garlic Butter Chicken with Rigatoni and Parmesan

Author: Olivia McKenney
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Print Recipe

Description

Creamy, garlicky, and full of comforting flavor, this Garlic Butter Chicken with Rigatoni and Parmesan is a weeknight dinner favorite. Juicy golden chicken, rich Parmesan sauce, and tender rigatoni come together in under 30 minutes!

Instructions

1. Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized cubes. Season with salt and black pepper.

2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until golden and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.

3. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook rigatoni according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.

4. In the same skillet used for the chicken, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

5. Pour in heavy cream and reserved pasta water. Bring to a gentle simmer.

6. Add Parmesan cheese and whisk until melted and the sauce is creamy. Adjust seasoning as needed.

7. Return cooked chicken to the skillet, then add the drained rigatoni. Toss everything together until fully coated in sauce.

8. Garnish with fresh parsley and more Parmesan before serving hot.