Description
Garlic butter chicken with rigatoni and parmesan elevates classic Italian comfort food with rich, creamy flavors. Succulent chicken meets perfectly cooked pasta, creating a hearty meal packed with aromatic garlic and smooth parmesan that promises satisfaction in every delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 12 ounces (340 grams) rigatoni pasta
- 3/4 cup (75 grams) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Dairy and Sauce Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Seasonings and Liquids:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare rigatoni in a generously salted water bath, cooking until perfectly tender. Preserve a half cup of starchy liquid before draining, setting pasta aside.
- Elevate a skillet with olive oil over robust heat. Introduce chicken pieces, seasoning comprehensively with salt, pepper, and aromatic Italian herbs. Sizzle for 5-7 minutes until achieving a golden exterior, then extract and reserve.
- Utilize the identical skillet, melting butter gently. Introduce minced garlic, allowing it to release its robust essence for approximately 30 seconds. Cascade chicken broth into the pan, simmering briefly while dislodging caramelized remnants.
- Incorporate heavy cream, allowing the mixture to gently bubble and thicken over 3-4 minutes. Integrate Parmesan, whisking until achieving a velvety consistency. Adjust viscosity with reserved pasta liquid if necessary.
- Reintroduce seared chicken into the luxurious sauce, then fold rigatoni thoroughly, ensuring complete sauce coverage. Allow brief interaction over low heat for 1-2 minutes.
- Conclude preparation by removing from heat. Embellish with freshly chopped parsley, additional Parmesan shavings, and optional crimson pepper flakes for a vibrant presentation.
Notes
- Choose high-quality chicken breasts for even cooking and tender results.
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure perfect golden-brown searing and crispy exterior.
- Adjust sauce consistency by adding reserved pasta water gradually for ideal creamy texture.
- Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk for lighter version if watching calories.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 754
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 493 mg
- Fat: 41 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 66 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 148 mg