Description

A rich, crowd-pleasing pasta dinner that combines creamy rigatoni with perfectly seared garlic Parmesan chicken. This easy dinner is ideal for both weeknights and weekend indulgence. Whether you’re looking for quick comfort food, easy dinner ideas, or an impressive dish for guests, this hearty, cheesy pasta brings bold flavor with minimal effort. It’s one of those food ideas that delivers every time — satisfying, savory, and ready to win over even picky eaters.

Ingredients

2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs

4 cloves garlic finely minced

0.33 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1 tsp smoked paprika

0.5 tsp black pepper

1 tsp salt

1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

1 tbsp butter

12 oz rigatoni pasta

2 tbsp unsalted butter

2 cloves garlic minced

1.5 cups heavy cream

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 cup shredded mozzarella

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tsp dried parsley or Italian seasoning

0.25 cup reserved pasta water

Instructions

1. In a mixing bowl, combine chicken thighs with olive oil, minced garlic, Parmesan, paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well and marinate for at least 30 minutes.

2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni until al dente (10–12 minutes). Reserve ¼ cup of the pasta water. Drain and set aside.

3. In a large skillet, melt 1 tbsp butter over medium-high heat. Sear marinated chicken for 5–7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Set aside to rest.

4. In the same pan, melt 2 tbsp butter. Sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds. Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in Parmesan and mozzarella until melted. Season with salt, pepper, and dried herbs.

5. Add cooked rigatoni to the sauce. Toss well, adding pasta water to loosen as needed. Simmer together for 2–3 minutes.

6. Slice or serve chicken whole over the cheesy rigatoni. Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan. Serve hot.

Notes

Freshly grated cheese melts better and adds stronger flavor than pre-shredded types.

Always marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes to let flavors sink in.

Use pasta water to adjust sauce thickness instead of thinning with cream.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1.5 cups
Calories: 670
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 680mg
Fat: 36g
Saturated Fat: 16g
Unsaturated Fat: 17g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 48g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 39g
Cholesterol: 145mg

Keywords: Cheesy rigatoni, garlic chicken, creamy pasta, dinner ideas, easy recipe