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Garlic Chicken Rigatoni

Garlic Chicken Rigatoni
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Garlic Chicken Rigatoni is a rich, creamy, and flavorful pasta dish that combines tender chicken pieces sautéed with fresh garlic and herbs, all tossed in a luscious Parmesan cream sauce with rigatoni pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, this one-pan dinner is perfect for busy weeknights and family meals, delivering restaurant-quality comfort with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale

Proteins

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into pieces

Pasta

  • 12 oz rigatoni pasta

For the Sauce

  • 4 to 5 fresh garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth or stock
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Herbs & Garnish

  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley or basil, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Rigatoni: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve one cup of pasta water before draining to adjust the sauce later if needed.
  2. Sauté the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then add to the pan. Cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  3. Build the Garlic Sauce: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any flavorful bits stuck on the bottom.
  4. Add Cream and Cheese: Reduce heat to medium-low and stir in heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Let the sauce gently simmer and thicken for 3 to 5 minutes. If the sauce becomes too thick, add reserved pasta water gradually to reach desired consistency.
  5. Combine Chicken and Pasta: Return cooked chicken to the skillet and add drained rigatoni. Toss everything together to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy garlic sauce. Let cook for an additional 1 to 2 minutes to meld the flavors.
  6. Finish with Fresh Herbs: Turn off heat, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or basil over the dish, toss lightly, and serve immediately for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Use fresh garlic cloves for best aroma and flavor rather than garlic powder or pre-minced garlic.
  • Cook pasta al dente so it holds texture when mixed with the sauce.
  • Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce as needed without diluting flavor.
  • Season gradually, adjusting salt and pepper near the end to avoid oversalting.
  • Let cooked chicken rest for 5 minutes to retain juices and tenderness before combining with sauce.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic chicken rigatoni, creamy chicken pasta, garlic pasta recipe, quick chicken dinner, weeknight pasta

Find it online: https://lillysplate.com/garlic-chicken-rigatoni/