Description
This Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Rigatoni is the ultimate weeknight pasta indulgence—quick, rich, and completely satisfying. Golden-seared chicken tossed with ridged rigatoni and a velvety garlic butter cream sauce hits all the right notes. Perfect for cozy dinner ideas, quick meals, or hearty comfort food recipes. With just a handful of ingredients, this easy pasta dinner delivers gourmet flavor in under 40 minutes—ideal for family favorites, meal prep, or guests.
Ingredients
12 ounces rigatoni pasta
1.5 pounds chicken breast, cut into chunks
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or basil
1/2 cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook rigatoni until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Sear chicken pieces for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet.
4. Lower heat to medium. Add butter to the same skillet, then sauté garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Add chicken broth and simmer for 2–3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits.
6. Stir in heavy cream and let it simmer for 4–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
7. Mix in grated parmesan until smooth, then return chicken to the skillet.
8. Add rigatoni and a splash of pasta water to help coat everything evenly.
9. Toss well, garnish with parsley or basil, and serve hot with extra cheese if desired.
Notes
To lighten it up, swap heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk (sauce will be thinner).
Add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes for extra depth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 645
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 39g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
Keywords: creamy garlic butter pasta, chicken rigatoni, easy dinner idea, comfort food recipe, quick pasta meals