Heavenly Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Rigatoni Recipe

Tender chicken dances with a velvety garlic butter chicken rigatoni sauce that transforms every bite into pure comfort.

Rich, golden pasta swirls capture the essence of home-cooked warmth.

Robust garlic notes weave through each perfectly cooked noodle with remarkable depth.

butter melts into a silky embrace, coating each ingredient with luxurious flavor.

Succulent chicken pieces nestle between rigatoni, creating a harmonious blend of textures.

The recipe promises a restaurant-quality meal that comes together effortlessly in your kitchen.

Dive into this irresistible dish and let your taste buds celebrate a symphony of creamy, savory goodness.

Cooking Instructions for Garlic Chicken Rigatoni

Garlic Butter Chicken Rigatoni Magic

• Pasta Preparation

Boil rigatoni until perfectly al dente, then drain and set aside.

• Chicken Searing

Heat skillet with butter, cook chicken pieces until golden and tender with aromatic seasonings.

• Garlic Infusion

Sauté minced garlic in remaining butter, releasing its beautiful fragrance.

• Sauce Creation

Blend chicken broth, transform with rich cream and Parmesan, creating a luxurious smooth sauce.

• Harmonious Combination

Return chicken to skillet, gently fold in rigatoni, ensuring every morsel is lovingly coated with creamy goodness.

• Elegant Finishing

Sprinkle fresh parsley, serving immediately for maximum flavor and warmth.

Rich Flavor Tips for a Smooth, Savory Finish

• Pasta Perfection: Cook rigatoni just shy of al dente, as it will continue absorbing sauce in the skillet, ensuring a perfectly textured dish.
• Protein Power Play: Swap chicken with shrimp, turkey, or even plant-based protein for a delightful twist that keeps the recipe exciting and versatile.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Experiment with different hard cheeses like Romano, Asiago, or aged cheddar to create unique flavor profiles that elevate the creamy sauce.
• Veggie Boost: Toss in roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or spinach to add extra nutrition and color to this comforting pasta dish.
• Spice Adventure: Add red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, or a dash of white wine to the sauce for an unexpected flavor dimension that transforms the recipe.

How to Serve This Dish for a Crowd

• Pasta Party Platter: Create a vibrant spread by serving the rigatoni on a large wooden board surrounded by fresh herb sprigs, sliced lemons, and extra Parmesan shavings for a restaurant-style presentation.
• Wine Pairing Magic: Complement the creamy, garlicky dish with a crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or a light Chardonnay that balances the rich sauce and enhances the chicken's flavors.
• Side Dish Symphony: Add roasted vegetables like asparagus, cherry tomatoes, or zucchini ribbons alongside the pasta to bring color, nutrition, and a delightful textural contrast to the meal.
• Bread Basket Bonus: Serve warm, crusty garlic bread or toasted Italian ciabatta slices to help guests soak up every last drop of the luxurious, creamy sauce.

Storing Chicken Pasta Without Drying It Out

• Batch Cooking Magic: Whip up a double batch of this creamy rigatoni and store portions in airtight containers for quick weeknight meals that save time and energy.
• Refrigerator Freshness Strategy: Keep leftovers in sealed containers and consume within 3-4 days. The creamy sauce might slightly thicken when chilled, so gently reheat with a splash of chicken broth to restore its silky texture.
• Freezer-Friendly Hack: This dish can be frozen for up to 2 months. Separate chicken and pasta before freezing to maintain optimal texture. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat slowly in a skillet with extra cream to revive the sauce's lusciousness.
• Meal Prep Champion: Prep chicken and chop garlic in advance during weekend cooking sessions. Store ingredients separately in the refrigerator, allowing you to assemble this delightful meal in under 30 minutes on busy weeknights.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 708 kcal

Servings: 5

What You’ll Need for Garlic Butter Chicken Rigatoni

• Rigatoni Pasta: Sturdy pasta shape that perfectly captures the creamy sauce, ensuring each bite is packed with flavor.

• Chicken Breast: Lean protein that adds substantial texture, best when fresh and trimmed of excess fat.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor profile and balances the dish's richness.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and depth to the chicken's seasoning.
• Italian Seasoning: Blend of herbs that introduces an authentic Mediterranean touch to the chicken.

• Butter: Creates rich, velvety base for sauce and provides golden sautéing characteristics.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that adds intense, sharp flavor, best when freshly minced.
• Chicken Broth: Provides liquid base with deep savory undertones for the sauce.
• Heavy Cream: Delivers luxurious, silky texture and creates indulgent sauce consistency.
• Parmesan Cheese: Introduces sharp, salty notes and helps thicken the sauce naturally.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright green garnish that adds fresh, clean flavor and visual appeal.

Tools That Make This Pasta Easy

• Large Skillet: Essential for cooking chicken and creating the creamy sauce with even heat distribution.
• Cooking Spatula: Perfect for stirring, turning chicken, and mixing pasta with sauce smoothly.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure butter, seasonings, and cheese for balanced flavors.
• Cutting Board: Needed for preparing ingredients and chopping fresh parsley for garnish.
• Sharp Knife: Use to slice chicken and mince garlic precisely.
• Colander: Crucial for draining cooked rigatoni pasta quickly and effectively.
• Wooden Spoon or Tongs: Great for tossing pasta and chicken in the creamy sauce without breaking ingredients.

Silky Garlic Butter Chicken Rigatoni Recipe

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4.6 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Garlic butter chicken rigatoni delight brings Italian pasta magic to weeknight dinners. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a comforting meal that satisfies your comfort cravings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (453 g) chicken fillets, boneless, skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup (100 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
• 12 oz (340 g) rigatoni pasta
• 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
• 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
• 3 tbsps (45 g) butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Cook rigatoni to al dente perfection, drain, and set aside for later incorporation.
2. Chicken Searing: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat, then season and cook chicken until golden and thoroughly done, creating a rich, caramelized exterior.
3. Aromatic Foundation: Remove chicken, then quickly sauté minced garlic in the same skillet, releasing its intense fragrance without scorching.
4. Flavor Intensification: Deglaze pan with chicken broth, scraping up concentrated flavor deposits and allowing the liquid to reduce and concentrate its essence.
5. Sauce Creation: Whisk heavy cream and Parmesan into the skillet, transforming the liquid into a velvety, luxurious sauce with smooth, glossy consistency.
6. Harmonious Combination: Return chicken to the skillet, coating each piece generously with the creamy sauce, then gently fold in rigatoni to ensure uniform sauce distribution.
7. Finishing Touch: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley to introduce a bright, herbaceous note and visual appeal. Serve immediately while the dish remains piping hot and invitingly creamy.

Notes

• Boost Pasta Texture: Cook rigatoni just until al dente to prevent mushiness and maintain perfect pasta bite.
• Maximize Flavor Depth: Brown chicken thoroughly to create a rich golden crust, which locks in juices and develops complex taste layers.
• Prevent Sauce Separation: Whisk cream and Parmesan slowly and consistently to ensure smooth, creamy consistency without curdling.
• Herb Enhancement: Add fresh parsley right before serving to preserve its bright color and vibrant flavor profile, giving the dish a fresh finish.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 708
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 44 g
• Saturated Fat: 27 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 49 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 34 g
• Cholesterol: 155 mg