garlic butter chicken rigatoni parmesan (Print Version)

Creamy garlic butter chicken and rigatoni finished with Parmesan for a rich and satisfying dish.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 340 grams rigatoni pasta

→ Protein

02 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Fats and Seasonings

03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
05 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
06 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
07 - 0.5 teaspoon salt, or to taste
08 - 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
09 - 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional

→ Sauce and Cheese

10 - 120 milliliters chicken broth
11 - 240 milliliters heavy cream
12 - 75 grams freshly grated Parmesan cheese

→ Garnish

13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 120 milliliters of pasta water, then drain and set the pasta aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and season with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook for 5–7 minutes until chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits, and simmer for 2 minutes.
04 - Stir in the heavy cream and let it simmer for 3–4 minutes, allowing the sauce to slightly thicken. Add the Parmesan cheese and stir until the sauce is smooth. If the sauce appears too thick, add a small amount of reserved pasta water for desired consistency.
05 - Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and toss it with the sauce. Add the rigatoni and mix until all ingredients are fully coated. Simmer for 1–2 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
06 - Remove from heat. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, extra grated Parmesan, and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve warm.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Uses easy to find ingredients you probably have on hand
  • Ready from start to finish in under thirty minutes
  • Packed with creamy and cheesy flavor
  • Equally perfect for relaxed weeknights or dinner guests
  • The rich garlic butter sauce wins over picky eaters every time
02 -
  • High in protein so it makes for a complete meal in one
  • Comforting creamy sauce helps picky eaters clean their plates
  • Great for using up leftover cooked chicken just skip to the sauce step
03 -
  • Reserve extra pasta water before draining for the smoothest sauce
  • Let the chicken pieces brown well before turning for the best flavor
  • Always use freshly grated Parmesan for maximum melt and taste

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