Description
A comforting and creamy pasta dish combining tender chicken, aromatic garlic, and rich Parmesan cheese, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
- 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)
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni until al dente, which usually takes about 8-10 minutes. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water before draining the rest.
- Sear the chicken: In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then add them to the hot skillet. Cook until they’re golden brown on all sides, around 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the garlic butter sauce: In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium. Melt the unsalted butter, then add the minced garlic, sautéing for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the chicken broth and let it simmer for a couple of minutes.
- Add the cream and cheese: Gently stir in the heavy cream and allow it to thicken slightly. Gradually mix in the grated Parmesan cheese until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Combine ingredients: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained rigatoni and toss everything together, making sure the pasta is well coated in that creamy sauce. If the mixture seems a bit thick, add in a little reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- Final touches: Let it simmer for another minute, then serve it up! Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant touch.
Notes
For a lighter option, consider using half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: quick dinner, creamy pasta, weeknight meal, chicken recipe, garlic butter