Description
Succulent garlic parmesan chicken rigatoni delivers a symphony of Italian-inspired flavors that dance across your palate. Creamy sauce, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta invite you to savor each comforting, delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) boneless chicken breasts, bite-sized
- 12 ounces (340 grams) rigatoni pasta
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) chicken broth
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 cup (100 grams) Parmesan, freshly grated
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cooking Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons (45 grams) butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the rigatoni in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions, ensuring al dente texture. Drain thoroughly and reserve.
- Season chicken pieces with a blend of Italian herbs, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until melted and bubbling.
- Sauté chicken until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 6-7 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even browning.
- Lower skillet temperature and add minced garlic, stirring quickly to prevent burning. Allow aromatics to release for 30-45 seconds.
- Pour chicken broth into the skillet, creating a fragrant liquid base. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes to concentrate flavors.
- Introduce heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese, whisking continuously until sauce becomes smooth and slightly thickened.
- Reintroduce cooked chicken to the creamy sauce, allowing it to warm through and absorb the rich flavors for 1-2 minutes.
- Fold rigatoni into the skillet, gently coating pasta with the luxurious sauce, ensuring even distribution of chicken and seasonings.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, providing a bright, herbaceous finish. Serve immediately while hot and aromatic.
Notes
- Cook rigatoni just until firm to the bite, ensuring it maintains a slight chewiness and won’t become mushy when mixed with the creamy sauce.
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to achieve a beautiful golden-brown exterior, which locks in flavor and creates a delicious caramelized surface.
- Remove the pan from direct heat when adding Parmesan to prevent curdling, allowing the cheese to melt smoothly into the sauce.
- Swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half for a lighter version, and use gluten-free pasta for a celiac-friendly alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 150mg