Garlic Butter Chicken with Rigatoni and Parmesan Recipe
Indulge in this flavorful Garlic Butter Chicken with Rigatoni and Parmesan recipe that combines tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a creamy, garlicky sauce for a satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 2 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
For the Pasta:
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
- ¼ cup heavy cream (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
- Fresh parsley, finely chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Rigatoni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
- Season and Sear the Chicken: Pat chicken dry. Season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika. Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Prepare the Garlic Butter Sauce: In the same skillet, add remaining butter and minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about 30–45 seconds. Add cooked rigatoni to the garlic butter sauce. Stir well. Gradually mix in reserved pasta water until sauce reaches desired consistency.
- Finish the Dish: Return chicken to the pan. Add Parmesan cheese and heavy cream (if using). Stir until creamy and combined. Garnish with chopped parsley and additional Parmesan before serving.
Notes
- You can customize this dish by adding vegetables like spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor and nutrients.
- For a lighter version, you can substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 540 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 105mg
Keywords: Garlic Butter Chicken, Rigatoni, Parmesan, Italian, Creamy Pasta
