Description
If you’re craving a quick dinner that feels like a warm hug, this Garlic Butter Chicken Rigatoni is the dish for you. With tender chicken pieces, creamy garlic butter sauce, and al dente rigatoni pasta, it’s rich, flavorful, and satisfying. Whether you’re hunting for easy dinner ideas, quick comfort food, or pasta recipes that even picky eaters love, this one’s a winner. Perfect for weeknights, family dinners, or leftovers for the next day. This easy recipe will definitely become a favorite in your food ideas rotation.
Ingredients
400g rigatoni pasta
2 large chicken breasts
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 ¼ cups heavy cream
¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook rigatoni until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
2. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt, pepper, and paprika.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken until golden and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
5. Stir in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
6. Add the Parmesan cheese and stir until smooth and fully melted.
7. Return the cooked pasta and chicken to the skillet. Toss well to coat everything evenly in the sauce.
8. Garnish with chopped parsley and additional Parmesan before serving.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and texture in the sauce.
For extra richness, add a splash more cream when reheating leftovers.
Feel free to toss in spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes to customize it.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American-Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 125mg