Description
Creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor, this Cheesy Rigatoni with Garlic Parmesan Chicken is the ultimate comfort food that feels fancy but is incredibly easy to make. Tender rigatoni is tossed in a luscious garlic Parmesan cream sauce, then topped with crispy, golden chicken coated in real Parmesan. Perfect for a quick dinner, cozy date night, or an easy recipe to impress guests. This dish ticks all the boxes for dinner ideas, quick weeknight meals, and indulgent yet doable food ideas that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
1 pound rigatoni pasta
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup heavy cream
3 cloves garlic minced
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped (optional)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni until al dente, about 10–12 minutes. Drain and reserve ½ cup of pasta water.
2. Pat chicken breasts dry and slice into thin cutlets if needed. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Dredge each cutlet in grated Parmesan.
3. Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and let rest.
4. Lower heat to medium. Add remaining butter and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Pour in heavy cream and simmer for 2–3 minutes, scraping up browned bits from the pan.
6. Reduce heat to low. Stir in mozzarella and remaining Parmesan gradually until smooth and melted. Add reserved pasta water if sauce is too thick.
7. Toss cooked rigatoni in the sauce until well coated.
8. Slice rested chicken and layer over the pasta. Warm through for 1–2 minutes.
9. Garnish with chopped parsley if using. Serve immediately.
Notes
For best results, use freshly grated cheese—it melts better and gives a smoother sauce.
Pound chicken evenly to ensure quick and even cooking.
Don’t skip reserving pasta water—it’s the secret to adjusting sauce consistency perfectly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 680
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
Keywords: cheesy rigatoni, garlic chicken pasta, quick dinner, creamy pasta, easy recipe, weeknight meals, dinner ideas