Description
Craving a quick dinner that’s rich, comforting, and irresistibly delicious? Garlic Butter Chicken with Rigatoni and Parmesan is your answer! This easy recipe blends juicy chicken, buttery garlic sauce, and al dente rigatoni all wrapped up in a blanket of melty Parmesan. Perfect for easy dinner nights, quick lunch prep, or when you’re searching for hearty food ideas that don’t take all day to make. Whether you’re brainstorming easy recipes for a cozy night in, looking for breakfast ideas turned savory, or planning a crowd-pleasing dinner, this one brings big flavor with minimal effort. Get ready to experience an easy dinner recipe that feels like a gourmet meal — ideal for weeknights, weekend treats, or even casual entertaining!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
- ¼ cup heavy cream (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup reserved pasta water
- Fresh parsley, finely chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain.
- Pat chicken dry. Season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika.
- Heat olive oil and 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add remaining butter and minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about 30–45 seconds.
- Add cooked rigatoni to the garlic butter sauce. Stir well. Gradually mix in reserved pasta water until sauce reaches desired consistency.
- Return chicken to the pan. Add Parmesan cheese and heavy cream (if using). Stir until creamy and combined.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and additional Parmesan before serving.
- Enjoy every delicious, buttery bite!