Description
This Indulgent Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Rigatoni is a rich and comforting pasta dish featuring tender chunks of chicken, aromatic garlic, and a luscious butter and heavy cream sauce. Ready in just 40 minutes, it’s perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner that feels gourmet. The rigatoni’s ridges beautifully hold the creamy, cheesy sauce, making every bite delightfully flavorful.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces Rigatoni Pasta
Chicken
- 1 pound Chicken Breast, cut into chunks
Sauce and Seasonings
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 6 tablespoons Butter
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1 cup Chicken Broth
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese, finely grated
- Salt, to taste
- Black Pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- Fresh Parsley or Basil, to taste (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the Rigatoni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually about 10-12 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving a little pasta water for later if needed.
- Sear the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken chunks, seasoning with salt and black pepper, and sear until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: Lower the heat to medium and add butter to the same skillet. Once melted, add minced garlic and sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
- Make the Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
- Add Parmesan and Season: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and integrated into the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper as desired.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet along with the drained rigatoni pasta. Toss everything together gently to coat the pasta and chicken evenly with the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, sprinkle fresh parsley or basil over the top if using, and serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- Using rigatoni pasta helps the sauce cling to the ridges, enhancing flavor in every bite.
- For a lighter option, you can substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
- Make sure not to overcook the chicken to keep it tender and juicy.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining; it’s helpful to adjust the sauce consistency.
- Fresh herbs like parsley or basil add a nice fresh contrast to the rich sauce.
