Description
This Garlic Butter Chicken with Rigatoni and Parmesan is a quick 30-minute dinner that delivers tender seared chicken, al dente rigatoni, and a silky garlic butter Parmesan sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights, this creamy chicken pasta is family friendly, customizable, and irresistibly comforting. Keywords: garlic butter chicken pasta, rigatoni, Parmesan pasta, easy weeknight dinner, creamy chicken pasta.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts
12 oz rigatoni pasta
4 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp kosher salt, plus more for pasta water
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, optional
1/2 cup reserved pasta water, as needed
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of well salted water to a boil and cook rigatoni until just al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
2. Pat chicken dry and cut into bite-size pieces. Season evenly with 1/2 tsp salt and the black pepper.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high. Sear chicken in a single layer, 3 to 4 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
4. Reduce heat to medium low and add butter to the same skillet. When melted and foamy, stir in minced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook 30 to 45 seconds until fragrant without browning.
5. Add 1/4 cup reserved pasta water to loosen the fond, scraping the pan. Simmer 30 seconds to emulsify.
6. Return chicken and any juices to the skillet. Add drained rigatoni and toss to coat, adding more pasta water a splash at a time until glossy and saucy.
7. Off the heat, shower in Parmesan and toss until the sauce clings to the pasta. Adjust salt to taste.
8. Finish with parsley and serve immediately with extra Parmesan.
Notes
Use just-al-dente pasta so it finishes in the sauce without turning soft.
Keep the garlic pale; browned garlic turns bitter fast.
Reserved pasta water helps the butter and cheese form a silky sauce.
Warm the drained pasta briefly in the skillet before adding cheese so everything melts smoothly.
Grate Parmesan fresh for the best melt and flavor.
If reheating leftovers, add a tablespoon of water or broth to revive the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Pasta
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 725
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 65 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 49 g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg