Description
Enjoy a delightful Garlic Butter Chicken Rigatoni, featuring tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a creamy garlic butter sauce. This comforting dish is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner and will impress your loved ones!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound rigatoni pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add about a tablespoon of salt.
- Add the rigatoni pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (10-12 minutes). Stir occasionally.
- Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the rest and set the pasta aside in a large bowl.
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
- In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add butter. Let it melt, scraping up any browned bits.
- Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer, cooking for 3-4 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Stir in heavy cream and simmer for another 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Gradually whisk in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Adjust consistency with reserved pasta water if needed.
- Slice the rested chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Add cooked rigatoni to the skillet with the garlic butter sauce and toss to coat.
- Gently fold in sliced chicken and halved cherry tomatoes. Add more reserved pasta water if the dish seems dry.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve in bowls, garnished with freshly chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.
Notes
- For added nutrition, consider incorporating spinach or broccoli during the last few minutes of cooking the pasta.
- For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes to the sauce while it simmers.
- Fresh herbs like basil or thyme can enhance the flavor profile.
- This dish can be made ahead and reheated; add a splash of chicken broth or cream to maintain creaminess.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes