Description
This rich and creamy Garlic Butter Chicken and Rigatoni in Parmesan Sauce is a comforting, indulgent dish. Tender chicken pieces are coated in a silky Parmesan sauce with garlic and Italian seasoning, served over hearty rigatoni pasta. A perfect family dinner that’s simple yet packed with flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
-
Cook the Rigatoni:
- Cook the rigatoni according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
-
Cook the Chicken:
- In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
- Add the bite-sized chicken pieces to the skillet and season with salt and black pepper.
- Cook for 6-7 minutes, or until the chicken is browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
-
Make the Creamy Sauce:
- In the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and minced garlic. Sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir occasionally and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning. Continue stirring until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
-
Combine the Chicken and Pasta:
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to coat in the creamy sauce.
- Add the cooked rigatoni to the skillet and toss everything together until the pasta is coated in the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of pasta water or more chicken broth to reach your desired consistency.
-
Serve:
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- You can also substitute the chicken with shrimp or another protein of your choice.
- Add some sautéed spinach or mushrooms for extra texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing / Boiling
- Cuisine: American / Italian
Keywords: Garlic butter chicken, creamy pasta, rigatoni, Parmesan sauce, chicken and pasta, creamy chicken, easy pasta recipe, comfort food