Description
This Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken and Rigatoni in Parmesan Sauce is a delicious and comforting Italian-inspired dish featuring tender sautéed chicken, al dente rigatoni pasta, and a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce infused with garlic and butter. Perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or special occasion, this recipe comes together quickly and offers a satisfying blend of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
Chicken and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- salt, to taste
- black pepper, to taste
Garnish
- fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Cook Rigatoni: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to keep warm.
- Sauté Chicken: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and sauté until the chicken is cooked through and browned, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Prepare Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, add the butter and minced garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned, stirring occasionally to avoid burning.
- Add Cream and Parmesan: Slowly whisk in the heavy cream while stirring continuously. Once heated through, reduce heat to low and add the grated Parmesan cheese. Stir gently until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine Chicken and Rigatoni: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, add the rigatoni pasta, and toss everything together to coat well with the creamy Parmesan sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes to allow flavors to meld and heat through.
- Serve: Divide the creamy garlic butter chicken and rigatoni among plates. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately while hot.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts for a juicier texture.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor and smooth melting in the sauce.
- Adjust the consistency of the sauce by adding a splash of pasta cooking water if it becomes too thick.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Ensure not to burn the garlic to avoid bitterness in the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 580 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg
Keywords: Creamy garlic butter chicken, rigatoni pasta recipe, Parmesan sauce, quick Italian dinner, creamy chicken pasta
