Luscious Garlic Butter Chicken & Rigatoni Parmesan Sauce Recipe

Weeknight dinners demand something special, and this garlic butter chicken and rigatoni in parmesan sauce delivers pure comfort on a plate.

Rich, creamy layers of flavor meld together in a tempting pasta dish that promises instant satisfaction.

Tender chicken pieces nestle among perfectly cooked rigatoni, creating a hearty meal that speaks directly to hungry souls.

Golden-brown chicken mingles with a luxurious sauce that clings lovingly to each pasta ridge.

Fragrant garlic infuses every bite with depth and warmth, transforming simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Parmesan adds a subtle sharpness that cuts through the butter’s richness, balancing each mouthful.

This recipe guarantees smiles around the table and empty plates in record time.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 640 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients Needed For Fluffy Cottage Cheese Cloud Bread

• Chicken: Tender protein star that brings hearty flavor and satisfying texture to the dish.
• Parmesan Cheese: Rich, nutty cheese that adds depth and creates luxurious sauce coating.

• Rigatoni: Robust pasta with ridges perfect for catching creamy sauce.
• Olive Oil: Smooth base for searing chicken with subtle Mediterranean flavor.
• Butter: Provides rich, velvety foundation for sauce and enhances overall taste.
• Flour: Creates silky sauce thickener and helps bind ingredients seamlessly.
• Chicken Broth: Adds savory liquid foundation with complex underlying taste.
• Heavy Cream: Creates luscious, smooth sauce texture with indulgent mouthfeel.

• Garlic: Aromatic flavor powerhouse that elevates entire dish's profile.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning duo balancing overall taste.
• Garlic Powder: Concentrated garlic essence for deeper flavor dimension.
• Smoked Paprika: Adds subtle smoky undertone with gentle warmth.
• Italian Seasoning: Herbal blend bringing authentic Mediterranean complexity.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Introduces gentle heat and vibrant spice kick.
• Mozzarella: Optional melty cheese that adds extra creamy indulgence.
• Fresh Parsley or Basil: Bright, fresh herb garnish providing visual and flavor accent.

Whisking Tools For Fluffy Cottage Cheese Cloud Bread

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling pasta with ample space to cook rigatoni evenly.
• Large Skillet: Perfect for searing chicken and creating creamy Parmesan sauce.
• Whisk: Crucial for blending flour into butter and eliminating sauce lumps.
• Measuring Cups: Helps accurately measure chicken broth and heavy cream.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and tossing pasta and chicken in sauce.
• Cutting Board: Useful for preparing garlic and chopping fresh herbs.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for mincing garlic and chopping parsley or basil.

How To Whip Fluffy Cottage Cheese Cloud Bread Light And Airy

• Boil Pasta

Get a big pot of salty water bubbling and cook rigatoni until tender. Save some pasta water before draining.

• Sear Chicken

Sprinkle chicken with seasonings. Heat oil and butter in a skillet, then cook chicken until golden and perfectly done. Pull chicken out and set aside.

• Craft Creamy Sauce

In the same pan, melt butter and quickly sizzle garlic. Dust in flour and whisk smoothly. Pour chicken broth gradually, eliminating any lumps. Add cream, Parmesan, and spices. Let sauce simmer and thicken beautifully.

• Bring Everything Together

Reunite pasta and chicken in the silky sauce. Toss everything until coated. If sauce seems tight, splash in reserved pasta water. Mix in mozzarella until melty and luxurious. Scatter fresh herbs on top for a pop of color and freshness. Serve right away and savor every delicious bite.

Smart Variations For Fluffy Cottage Cheese Cloud Bread

• Pasta Perfection Tricks: Choose rigatoni with ridges to hold more sauce, ensuring each bite bursts with creamy flavor.
• Chicken Cooking Pro-Tip: Use a meat thermometer to check chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature for safe, juicy results.
• Diet-Friendly Swaps: Replace heavy cream with Greek yogurt or coconut milk for lighter, healthier version. Gluten-free eaters can substitute all-purpose flour with cornstarch or gluten-free blend.
• Flavor Boost Techniques: Toast garlic briefly to enhance its nutty, mellow taste without burning. Add a splash of white wine to sauce for deeper, more complex flavor profile.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare sauce and chicken ahead of time, storing separately in refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently, adding fresh pasta when ready to serve for quick weeknight dinner.

Serve Fluffy Cottage Cheese Cloud Bread Fresh From The Oven

• Pasta Party Platter: Create a vibrant spread by serving the chicken and rigatoni alongside a crisp garden salad, crusty garlic bread, and roasted seasonal vegetables for a complete meal that delights every taste bud.
• Cozy Comfort Bowl: Ladle the creamy dish into deep ceramic bowls, sprinkle extra Parmesan and red pepper flakes on top, and pair with a chilled glass of white wine for an indulgent dinner experience.
• Meal Prep Magic: Package individual portions in sealed containers for quick lunches during the week, keeping the sauce and pasta separate to maintain optimal texture and freshness when reheating.
• Family Style Feast: Present the skillet directly on the dining table, allowing everyone to serve themselves and enjoy the warm, aromatic dish with a sense of casual, communal dining.

Store Fluffy Cottage Cheese Cloud Bread Soft

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store the chicken and rigatoni dish in an airtight container within the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Keep the sauce and pasta separate if possible to maintain optimal texture and prevent soggy noodles.
• Freezer-Friendly Approach: Carefully transfer the cooled chicken and sauce into freezer-safe containers, removing excess air. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of chicken broth to restore moisture.
• Reheating Magic: Warm the dish slowly in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring frequently. Add a few tablespoons of chicken broth or cream to revive the sauce's creamy consistency. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent sauce separation and rubbery chicken texture.
• Meal Prep Wisdom: Prepare chicken and sauce in advance, storing components separately. Cook fresh pasta when ready to serve for the best taste and texture. Keep individual ingredients chilled in sealed containers to maintain freshness and make quick assembly possible during busy weeknights.

Silky Garlic Butter Chicken And Rigatoni In Parmesan Sauce Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Creamy garlic butter chicken and rigatoni in parmesan sauce brings Italian comfort to weeknight dinners. Perfectly seasoned chicken combines with rich pasta, creating a soul-satisfying meal familiar yet extraordinary for families craving wholesome flavor.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 large chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces)
• 12 oz (340 g) rigatoni pasta (or penne, fusilli, or farfalle)
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella (optional, for extra cheesiness)
• 1 ½ cups heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
• 1 cup chicken broth (or pasta water for extra flavor)
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 5 tbsps butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsps all-purpose flour (to thicken the sauce)
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional, for depth of flavor)
• ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
• ½ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp Italian seasoning (or a mix of oregano, basil, and thyme)
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
• Fresh parsley or basil, chopped
• Extra Parmesan for serving
• Salted water for boiling

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Bring generously salted water to a vigorous boil and cook rigatoni until al dente, reserving a small portion of starchy pasta liquid before draining.
2. Chicken Seasoning: Thoroughly coat chicken pieces with a robust blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoky paprika, ensuring complete coverage.
3. Searing Technique: Heat olive oil and butter in a spacious skillet, searing seasoned chicken until golden-brown and fully cooked, then transfer to a holding plate while maintaining warmth.
4. Sauce Foundation: In the same skillet, melt butter and briefly sauté minced garlic before creating a smooth roux by incorporating flour, whisking to prevent lumps.
5. Sauce Development: Gradually introduce chicken broth, heavy cream, and Parmesan, seasoning with Italian herbs and red pepper flakes; simmer gently to develop rich flavors and achieve desired thickness.
6. Final Assembly: Reunite pasta and chicken with the velvety sauce, gently tossing to ensure comprehensive coating, using reserved pasta water to adjust consistency if needed.
7. Finishing Touch: Optional mozzarella melting adds creamy complexity, with a final garnish of fresh herbs and extra Parmesan to elevate the dish, then serve immediately to preserve optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

• Choose Quality Pasta: Select high-quality rigatoni with ridged surfaces to help sauce cling better, ensuring maximum flavor in every bite.
• Control Chicken Seasoning: Apply spices generously but evenly, patting chicken dry before seasoning to help achieve perfect golden-brown caramelization and prevent soggy texture.
• Manage Sauce Consistency: Watch sauce thickness carefully, using reserved pasta water as a strategic tool to thin or adjust texture without compromising rich, creamy flavor profile.
• Prevent Sauce Separation: Keep heat moderate when adding cream and cheese, stirring constantly to maintain smooth emulsion and prevent potential curdling or grainy sauce texture.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 640
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 130 mg