Description
This Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken and Rigatoni in Parmesan Sauce recipe features tender chicken pieces cooked in a rich, velvety Parmesan cream sauce tossed with perfectly al dente rigatoni pasta. Enhanced with garlic, Italian seasoning, and fresh parsley garnish, it’s a comforting and flavorful dish ready in just 35 minutes—ideal for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Sauces and Cooking Fats
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Cook Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces, seasoning them with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook the chicken for 6-8 minutes until golden brown and thoroughly cooked, then remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet, melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Simmer Broth: Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Let it cook for 3-4 minutes to reduce slightly and concentrate the flavors.
- Create Sauce: Add the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet, stirring continuously until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and heated through. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to thicken.
- Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and add the drained rigatoni pasta. Toss everything together to evenly coat the chicken and pasta with the creamy Parmesan sauce.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the chopped fresh parsley over the dish as a bright garnish and serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
- For best results, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-grated for superior flavor and texture.
- If the sauce becomes too thick, adjust the consistency by adding a splash of chicken broth or cream.
- To make this dish lighter, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream, though the sauce may be less rich.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop, adding a little broth if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Fresh basil can be added as an alternative garnish for a different flavor nuance.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
