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
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- Chicken Seasoning: Thoroughly coat chicken pieces with a robust blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoky paprika, ensuring complete coverage.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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