Description
Looking for a quick dinner that feels like a cozy indulgence? This Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Rigatoni is everything you crave in one skillet: tender chicken, rich garlic butter cream sauce, and pasta that soaks it all up. Whether you’re after easy dinner ideas, a comfort food recipe, or a weeknight pasta dish, this one checks every box. With pantry staples and simple steps, you’ll have a restaurant-worthy meal in under 40 minutes. Perfect for quick dinners, hearty food ideas, or your next easy recipe to impress.
Ingredients
400g rigatoni pasta
450g boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cubed
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
¼ cup reserved pasta water (optional, for loosening sauce)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni until al dente. Drain and reserve ¼ cup pasta water.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Add chicken, season with salt and pepper, and sear for 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium, add butter, then stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Pour in heavy cream, bring to a gentle simmer, then stir in Parmesan until melted and smooth.
5. Season the sauce with more salt and pepper to taste.
6. Add cooked chicken back into the skillet, followed by the rigatoni. Toss to coat everything in the sauce.
7. If the sauce is too thick, stir in a splash of reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
8. Optional: Transfer pasta to an oven-safe dish, sprinkle with extra Parmesan, and broil for 2–3 minutes until golden on top.
9. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Let the chicken develop a golden crust by avoiding frequent stirring while searing.
Don’t skip the reserved pasta water—it helps achieve that silky sauce texture.
Always use freshly grated Parmesan for the best melt and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop (optional broil)
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
Keywords: quick dinner, creamy pasta, garlic butter, chicken rigatoni, easy recipe, food ideas, weeknight dinner