Description
Indulgent Garlic Butter Chicken with Parmesan Rigatoni promises a luxurious Italian-inspired feast that elevates weeknight dinners. Rich, creamy sauce and perfectly seasoned chicken create a comforting meal you’ll savor with pure culinary delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (450 grams) rigatoni pasta
- 1 pound (450 grams) chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 cups heavy cream
Sauce and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare rigatoni in a generously salted pot of boiling water until perfectly al dente, approximately 8-9 minutes. Drain thoroughly, reserving 1/2 cup of starchy pasta liquid for later use.
- Season chicken pieces with a robust blend of salt and freshly cracked pepper. Sear in a hot skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes, ensuring golden-brown exterior and complete internal cooking.
- Transfer cooked chicken to a side plate, leaving flavorful residue in the skillet for enhanced sauce development.
- Reduce skillet heat to medium-low. Melt butter and introduce minced garlic, allowing aromatics to bloom and release intense fragrance for 1-2 minutes.
- Pour heavy cream and chicken broth into the skillet, whisking continuously. Gradually incorporate Parmesan cheese, creating a silky, luxurious sauce that gently thickens over 5-7 minutes.
- Enhance sauce with Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes, calibrating spice levels to personal preference. Adjust salt and pepper for balanced flavor profile.
- Reintroduce seared chicken into the creamy sauce, ensuring complete coating. Fold rigatoni into the mixture, utilizing reserved pasta water to achieve ideal sauce consistency if needed.
- Plate immediately, garnishing with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan cheese for an elegant finishing touch.
Notes
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserve the starchy pasta water to help create a silky, perfectly balanced sauce that clings beautifully to the rigatoni.
- Chicken Perfection: Pat the chicken dry before seasoning to ensure a golden-brown, crispy exterior that locks in moisture and flavor.
- Spice Flexibility: Adjust red pepper flakes to match your heat tolerance, from a gentle warmth to a bold kick that tingles the taste buds.
- Diet-Friendly Swap: Use gluten-free pasta and replace heavy cream with coconut milk for a lighter, allergy-friendly version that doesn’t compromise on deliciousness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 850
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 70 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 50 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg