Luscious Creamy Garlic Butter Rigatoni with Chicken in Parmesan Sauce Recipe

Comfort food takes on a whole new meaning with this luscious garlic butter rigatoni with chicken in parmesan sauce that promises to tantalize your taste buds.

Silky pasta twirls dance with tender chicken pieces in a rich, velvety sauce.

Every forkful delivers an explosion of savory flavors that melt seamlessly on your palate.

The creamy parmesan coating wraps around each rigatoni tube like a warm culinary embrace.

garlic infuses depth and intensity into this irresistible dish, creating layers of mouthwatering complexity.

Simple ingredients transform into an extraordinary meal that feels like a restaurant-quality experience right in your kitchen.

Grab a fork and savor every delectable bite of this irresistible pasta masterpiece.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 715 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Garlic Butter Rigatoni With Chicken in Parmesan Sauce

• Rigatoni Pasta: Hearty tubes perfect for catching creamy sauce, choose high-quality Italian-style pasta for authentic texture.

• Chicken Breast, Salt, Black Pepper, Italian Seasoning: Tender chicken provides protein punch, select fresh boneless chicken for even cooking, use kosher salt for balanced flavor, freshly ground black pepper adds warmth.
• Chicken Broth: Enriches sauce depth, opt for low-sodium version to control salt levels.

• Butter, Garlic: Creamy foundation with aromatic kick, use fresh garlic for robust flavor, European-style butter adds richness.
• Heavy Cream, Parmesan Cheese: Creates luxurious silky sauce, select freshly grated Parmesan for superior melting, use full-fat cream for ultimate smoothness.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright green garnish that adds fresh herbal notes, choose vibrant leaves with strong aroma.

Tools to Prep Garlic Butter Rigatoni Easily

• Large Skillet: Essential for cooking chicken and creating the creamy sauce.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping garlic and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's Knife: Perfect for mincing garlic and cutting chicken.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and tossing ingredients in the skillet.
• Colander: Helps drain the cooked rigatoni pasta.
• Measuring Spoons: Useful for precise seasoning and butter measurements.
• Serving Platter: Ideal for presenting the final dish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

How to Make Garlic Butter Rigatoni With Chicken

• Pasta Preparation

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

• Chicken Searing

Heat skillet and cook chicken pieces until golden and tender, seasoning with classic herbs. Remove chicken and keep warm.

• Garlic Awakening

In same skillet, quickly sauté minced garlic until its aroma fills the kitchen.

• Sauce Development

Pour chicken broth into skillet, allowing liquid to reduce and concentrate flavors. Blend in heavy cream and Parmesan, stirring until silky and smooth.

• Final Harmony

Return chicken to skillet and gently fold in cooked rigatoni, ensuring every piece gets coated with luxurious sauce.

• Elegant Finish

Sprinkle fresh parsley over the dish for a bright, colorful presentation. Serve hot and enjoy the creamy, comforting meal.

Garlic Butter Tips for Rigatoni Success

• Pasta Perfection: Choose rigatoni with ridges for better sauce absorption, ensuring each bite is packed with creamy, garlicky flavor.
• Protein Power: Swap chicken with shrimp, turkey, or keep it vegetarian by adding roasted vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers for a delicious twist.
• Cheese Lovers' Delight: Experiment with different cheese blends like pecorino romano or a mix of parmesan and asiago to create a more complex, rich sauce.
• Spice It Up: Add red pepper flakes for a subtle heat, or include sun-dried tomatoes for a tangy Mediterranean touch that elevates the entire dish.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the sauce and chicken in advance, storing separately in the refrigerator. Quickly reheat and combine with fresh pasta for a speedy weeknight meal.

Ways to Serve This Garlic Butter Rigatoni Dish

• Elegant Dinner Party Delight: Serve this luxurious pasta dish on a large white platter, garnished with extra parsley and freshly grated Parmesan cheese for an impressive centerpiece that will wow your guests.
• Weeknight Comfort Meal: Pair the rigatoni with a crisp green salad and warm garlic bread to create a complete, satisfying meal that feels both comforting and elegant for family dinner.
• Wine Pairing Paradise: Complement the creamy, rich flavors with a chilled glass of Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio, which will balance the dish's buttery sauce and enhance the overall dining experience.
• Leftover Magic: Transform any remaining pasta into a delicious lunch by adding extra roasted vegetables or serving chilled as a pasta salad with a light drizzle of olive oil and fresh herbs.

Best Way to Save and Store Leftover Rigatoni With Chicken

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the dish fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Smart Reheating Technique: Warm portions in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth to restore sauce creaminess and prevent pasta from drying out. Stir gently while heating to maintain texture.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Separate pasta and sauce before freezing to prevent soggy texture. Freeze in flat, sealed containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Meal Prep Hack: Prepare chicken and sauce components separately during weekend cooking sessions. Store individual ingredients in separate containers, allowing quick assembly of the dish during busy weeknights.

Velvety Garlic Butter Rigatoni with Chicken in Parmesan Sauce Recipe

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4.7 from 13 reviews

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

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Description

Garlic butter rigatoni with chicken showcases Italian comfort cuisine at its finest. Parmesan-coated pasta and tender chicken create a luxurious meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 grams) chicken fillets, boneless, skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 12 oz (340 grams) rigatoni pasta
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 3 tbsps butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Immerse rigatoni in heavily salted boiling water, cooking until perfectly al dente, then thoroughly drain while preserving a small quantity of pasta water for potential sauce adjustment.
2. Chicken Seasoning and Searing: Liberally coat chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, then sizzle in melted butter within a spacious skillet over medium heat until achieving a golden-brown exterior and complete internal cooking, approximately 6-8 minutes.
3. Aromatic Sauce Foundation: Remove chicken momentarily, then introduce minced garlic to the identical skillet, gently sautéing until fragrant and translucent, deglaze with chicken broth to capture caramelized pan essences.
4. Sauce Transformation: Seamlessly incorporate heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, whisking continuously until developing a luxuriously smooth, velvety sauce that gently simmers and thickens, melding complex flavor profiles.
5. Final Assembly: Reunite seared chicken with creamy sauce, carefully fold in drained rigatoni, ensuring comprehensive and uniform coating, potentially utilizing reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if necessary.
6. Presentation: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, serving immediately to preserve optimal temperature and textural integrity of the dish.

Notes

• Perfect Pasta Texture: Cook rigatoni exactly al dente to prevent mushiness and ensure optimal sauce absorption.
• Seasoning Strategy: Generously coat chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning for deep, layered flavor development.
• Sauce Smoothness Technique: Whisk constantly when adding chicken broth and cream to prevent lumps and create silky consistency.
• Cheese Melting Wisdom: Grate Parmesan fresh and add gradually to help it melt smoothly without clumping in the creamy sauce.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 715
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 750 mg
• Fat: 43 g
• Saturated Fat: 25 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 54 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 37 g
• Cholesterol: 170 mg