Garlic Butter Chicken and Rigatoni in Parmesan Sauce Recipe Ultra Creamy

My recent obsession with creamy garlic butter chicken and rigatoni has completely changed weeknight dinner expectations.

Pasta lovers understand the magic of combining tender chicken with rich, velvety sauce.

Perfectly seasoned ingredients create a restaurant-quality meal right in your kitchen.

Mediterranean herbs and fresh parmesan elevate this simple dish into something extraordinary.

Comfort meets elegance when you blend succulent chicken pieces with al dente rigatoni.

Cheesy, garlicky goodness awaits you in this irresistible recipe that promises to become a household favorite.

Dive into this culinary adventure and transform an ordinary evening into a memorable dining experience.

Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken and Rigatoni: Why It Works

• Indulge in a creamy, cheesy sauce that hugs tender chicken and rigatoni, creating a luxurious dinner experience that feels like a warm culinary embrace.
• Enjoy a restaurant-quality meal using just a handful of pantry staples, making this recipe budget-friendly and incredibly accessible for home cooks of all skill levels.
• Streamline your cooking process with a single pan method that minimizes cleanup and maximizes flavor, allowing you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your meal.

Ingredients Needed for Chicken and Rigatoni Dish

• Rigatoni: Large tube-shaped pasta perfect for holding creamy sauce, choose high-quality Italian bronze-cut pasta for best texture.

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that absorbs flavors well, boneless and skinless work best for even cooking.

• Butter, Heavy Cream: Rich base for creating smooth, luxurious sauce, European-style butter adds deeper flavor.
• Parmesan Cheese: Authentic Italian hard cheese with nutty taste, freshly grated provides superior melting quality.
• Garlic: Aromatic flavor enhancer, fresh cloves recommended over pre-minced for most robust taste.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing overall dish flavor.
• Italian Herbs, Parsley: Fresh herbs add brightness and authentic Mediterranean touch, dried herbs work as alternative.

• Olive Oil: Helps prevent sticking and adds subtle Mediterranean flavor, extra virgin preferred.
• Pasta Water: Starchy liquid helps create silky sauce consistency, always reserve before draining pasta.

Making Garlic Butter Chicken and Rigatoni at Home

Step 1: Boil Water and Cook Pasta

Fill a large pot with water and add a generous sprinkle of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil. Add rigatoni and cook following the package directions until the pasta reaches al dente perfection. Once cooked, carefully scoop out some pasta water and set aside. Drain the pasta and keep it ready for the next steps.

Step 2: Prepare Chicken

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Place the seasoned chicken into the hot skillet. Cook each side until golden brown and the chicken is cooked through. Remove chicken from the pan and set aside.

Step 3: Create Creamy Garlic Butter Sauce

• Butter
• Minced garlic
• Heavy cream
• Chicken broth

Stir the ingredients together, scraping up any delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle in Parmesan cheese and whisk until the sauce becomes smooth and slightly thickened.

Step 4: Combine Pasta and Chicken

Slide the cooked chicken back into the creamy sauce. Add the rigatoni and gently toss everything together. If the sauce seems too thick, splash in some reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley over the top. Optional: Add extra Parmesan cheese for an extra flavor boost. Serve immediately while the dish is hot and the sauce is creamy.

Smart Cooking Tips for Creamy Rigatoni Lovers

• Select Perfect Pasta: Choose rigatoni with ridges to help sauce cling better, ensuring each bite is packed with creamy goodness.
• Optimize Pasta Water: Save the starchy reserved water to adjust sauce consistency and help ingredients bind smoothly.
• Control Salt Levels: Use low-sodium broth or carefully measure salt since Parmesan cheese already adds significant saltiness to the dish.
• Master Chicken Tenderness: Pat chicken dry before seasoning to achieve a beautiful golden sear and prevent steaming instead of browning.
• Balance Sauce Texture: Stir Parmesan gradually and remove from heat to prevent sauce from becoming grainy or separating.

Store Garlic Butter Chicken

• Store leftover chicken and pasta in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the dish fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Keep sauce and pasta separately to prevent soggy noodles and maintain optimal texture when reheating.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish, sprinkle few tablespoons of reserved pasta water, cover, and heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway to ensure even warming.
• Gently reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding splash of pasta water or cream to restore creamy consistency and prevent drying out.

Perfect Sides for This Creamy Rigatoni Dish

• Choose a crisp Chardonnay or light Pinot Grigio to complement the creamy parmesan sauce and cut through the richness of garlic butter chicken.
• Toss a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to provide a zesty, peppery contrast against the creamy pasta dish.
• Serve warm garlic bread or a rustic Italian ciabatta to soak up the delicious sauce and add textural variety to the meal.
• Sprinkle fresh basil or parsley on top to brighten the dish's flavor profile and add a pop of fresh green color.

FAQ: Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken with Rigatoni

• How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). The chicken should be white throughout with no pink areas and have clear juices.

• Can I use a different type of pasta for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute rigatoni with penne, ziti, or fettuccine. Just ensure the pasta shape can hold the creamy sauce well and cook it al dente.

• What's the best way to prevent the sauce from becoming grainy?

Always add cheese off the heat and stir gradually. Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese and add it slowly while continuously stirring to help create a smooth, creamy sauce.

• Is it possible to make this dish lighter or healthier?

You can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, reduce the butter quantity, and choose skinless chicken breasts to lower the calorie and fat content while maintaining great flavor.

Ways to Tweak the Chicken and Rigatoni Combo

• Gluten-Free Pasta Option: Replace traditional rigatoni with gluten-free rigatoni or penne made from rice, corn, or chickpea flour to accommodate gluten sensitivities.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Swap: Substitute rigatoni with roasted cauliflower florets or spiralized zucchini noodles for a lighter, keto-friendly version of the dish.
• Vegetarian Protein Alternative: Replace chicken with pan-seared tofu, tempeh, or roasted portobello mushrooms to create a plant-based protein option that maintains the creamy sauce's rich flavor.
• Dairy-Free Modification: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and nutritional yeast or dairy-free parmesan alternative to create a lactose-free version of the creamy sauce.

Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken And Rigatoni In Parmesan Sauce Recipe

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• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent garlic butter chicken dances with rigatoni in a luxurious parmesan sauce, creating a symphony of Italian-inspired comfort. Home chefs will savor each rich, velvety bite of this irresistible pasta masterpiece that promises pure culinary satisfaction.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 2 large chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)

Seasonings:

• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for depth of flavor)
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning (or a mix of oregano, basil, and thyme)
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

Pasta and Cooking Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 12 ounces (340 grams) rigatoni pasta (or penne, fusilli, or farfalle)
• Salted water for boiling

Sauce Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (to thicken the sauce)
• 1 cup chicken broth (or pasta water for extra flavor)
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella (optional, for extra cheesiness)

Garnish:

• Fresh parsley or basil, chopped
• Extra Parmesan for serving

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Instructions

1. Fill a generously sized cooking vessel with water, seasoning it with a pinch of salt until it reaches a vigorous boil.
2. Submerge rigatoni into the bubbling water, allowing it to cook precisely to al dente texture according to package guidance.
3. Extract a small measure of starchy cooking liquid before straining the pasta, preserving this liquid for potential sauce enhancement.
4. Carefully drain the rigatoni and transfer to a separate container, ensuring it remains warm and ready for the upcoming culinary assembly.
5. While pasta preparation occurs, pat chicken pieces dry with paper towels to ensure optimal seasoning adherence and potential caramelization.
6. Season chicken thoroughly with a blend of aromatic herbs and ground black pepper, creating a flavorful exterior layer.
7. Heat a substantial skillet over medium-high temperature, introducing a measured amount of olive oil to create a sizzling cooking surface.
8. Gently place seasoned chicken into the hot skillet, allowing each piece to develop a golden-brown crust without overcrowding the pan.
9. Cook chicken until internal temperature reaches safe consumption levels, flipping occasionally to ensure uniform cooking and attractive coloration.
10. Reduce skillet heat and introduce minced garlic, allowing its fragrance to permeate the cooking environment without burning.
11. Add butter to the skillet, creating a luxurious sauce base that will coat both chicken and pasta with rich, velvety texture.
12. Pour heavy cream into the butter-garlic mixture, stirring consistently to develop a smooth, cohesive sauce.
13. Incorporate grated parmesan cheese, whisking continuously to prevent potential clumping and create a silky sauce consistency.
14. Reunite cooked rigatoni with the creamy sauce, gently folding to ensure complete and even coating.
15. If sauce appears too dense, introduce reserved pasta water incrementally to achieve desired fluidity.
16. Return cooked chicken to the pasta, nestling pieces gently within the creamy rigatoni.
17. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and additional parmesan for enhanced visual appeal and flavor complexity.

Notes

• Opt for chicken breasts that are even in thickness to ensure uniform cooking and prevent dry or undercooked sections.
• Toast garlic briefly in butter to release its aromatic flavors without burning, creating a rich and nutty undertone in the sauce.
• Transform this dish into a gluten-free version by using alternative pasta like chickpea or zucchini noodles, and ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• For a lighter alternative, substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half to reduce calories while maintaining creamy texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 750
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 45g
• Saturated Fat: 25g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 55g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 40g
• Cholesterol: 150mg