Description
Creamy Parmesan Chicken Rigatoni is a rich and comforting pasta dish featuring tender, seared chicken pieces in a luscious homemade Parmesan cream sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked rigatoni pasta. This easy-to-make recipe combines garlic, white wine, and fresh herbs for a flavorful, restaurant-quality dinner that comes together quickly on the stovetop.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Pasta
- 1 lb rigatoni pasta
- Salt for pasta water
Garnish
- Extra grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: In a large bowl, toss the chicken pieces with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, red pepper flakes (optional), salt, and black pepper until evenly coated with the spices.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken in a single layer and sear for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the Garlic: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the dry white wine and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let the wine simmer for 2-3 minutes until it reduces slightly.
- Add Cream and Broth: Stir in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low to prevent boiling.
- Simmer and Thicken: Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
- Incorporate Parmesan and Season: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, chopped fresh parsley, and ground nutmeg. Adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Boil Water: While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil for the pasta.
- Cook Pasta: Add the rigatoni to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
- Reserve Pasta Water: Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water to help loosen the sauce later if needed.
- Drain Pasta: Drain the rigatoni in a colander but do not rinse to retain starch for better sauce adherence.
- Add Chicken to Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the creamy Parmesan sauce, stirring to coat the chicken evenly.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained rigatoni to the skillet and toss everything together. Use reserved pasta water as needed to achieve a creamy consistency.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the creamy Parmesan chicken rigatoni hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese, chopped fresh parsley, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
- To ensure chicken cooks evenly, cut into uniform pieces and avoid overcrowding the pan when searing.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, increase red pepper flakes to taste.
- The reserved pasta water helps loosen the sauce so it coats the pasta beautifully without becoming watery.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan for the best flavor and texture in the sauce.
- This dish pairs well with a light green salad and crusty bread to soak up extra sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Creamy Parmesan Chicken Rigatoni, creamy pasta, chicken pasta recipe, Parmesan chicken, rigatoni recipe, easy Italian dinner, comfort food pasta
