Description
A creamy and flavorful garlic butter chicken dish served with rigatoni pasta and Parmesan cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz rigatoni pasta (or your favorite short 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, for extra creaminess)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup reserved pasta water (you may not need it all)
- Fresh parsley, finely chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni according to package instructions. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
- Stir in Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Add the cooked rigatoni and chicken back to the skillet. Toss to coat with the garlic butter mixture.
- Pour in heavy cream (if using) and sprinkle Parmesan cheese. Stir until the cheese melts and the sauce coats the pasta evenly.
- If needed, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to loosen the sauce.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan before serving.
Notes
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for best flavor.
- Adjust seasoning to taste.
- For extra richness, stir in extra butter at the end.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: garlic butter chicken, rigatoni pasta, Parmesan cheese, creamy pasta, Italian dish