Description

This Garlic Butter Chicken with Rigatoni and Parmesan is a creamy, savory pasta dish featuring tender chicken bites sautéed in garlic butter and combined with rigatoni pasta in a luscious Parmesan cream sauce. It’s an easy stovetop meal perfect for a comforting dinner that comes together quickly with simple ingredients and rich flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Pasta

12 oz rigatoni pasta

For the Chicken and Sauce

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp Italian seasoning
½ tsp salt, or to taste
½ tsp black pepper
¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

For Garnish

2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook until al dente, about 10-12 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water, then drain the rest.
Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and black pepper. Sear the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
Sauté Garlic and Prepare Sauce: In the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Pour in the chicken broth and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
Add Cream and Cheese: Stir in the heavy cream and cook for a few minutes until the sauce begins to thicken. Gradually stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season the sauce with Italian seasoning and, if desired, red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
Combine Everything: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained rigatoni and toss everything together until evenly coated with the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it. Simmer for another minute to blend flavors.
Serve: Plate the pasta and garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving warm.

Notes

Reserve some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
Use fresh Parmesan cheese for the best flavor and melting.
Red pepper flakes are optional but add a nice subtle heat.
This dish can be made gluten-free by substituting rigatoni with gluten-free pasta.
Ensure chicken is cooked fully to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: garlic butter chicken, rigatoni pasta, creamy chicken pasta, Parmesan sauce, easy dinner recipe