Description
Creamy, garlicky, and absolutely irresistible, this Cheesy Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Rigatoni in Alfredo Sauce is the perfect comfort food for dinner ideas, quick weeknight meals, or indulgent weekend treats. Tender chicken bites seared in garlic butter, tossed with rigatoni pasta and enveloped in a rich homemade Alfredo sauce—this easy recipe is pure satisfaction. Whether you’re after a cozy meal or showing off your food skills, this dish is guaranteed to impress. It’s a healthy-ish indulgence, packed with protein and full of flavor, perfect for your next dinner plan. Great for anyone looking for creamy pasta ideas, easy dinner ideas, or quick chicken recipes with big flavor.
Ingredients
225g rigatoni pasta
500g boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3 tablespoons butter (divided)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 cup heavy cream
¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and pat dry. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1.5 tablespoons of butter with olive oil. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
3. Add chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
4. While the chicken cooks, boil rigatoni in salted water until just al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
5. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add remaining butter and pour in heavy cream. Simmer gently for 2 minutes.
6. Add grated Parmesan, stirring constantly until smooth and creamy. Use pasta water to loosen if needed.
7. Add cooked rigatoni to the Alfredo sauce and toss to coat. Let simmer for another minute.
8. Return chicken to the skillet or top the plated pasta. Garnish with chopped parsley and red pepper flakes. Serve hot.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for a smooth and creamy Alfredo sauce—pre-grated cheese can cause clumping.
Don’t overcook the chicken—golden edges mean great flavor and juicy meat inside.
Always reserve pasta water—it’s the secret to a perfect, glossy sauce that clings to the pasta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
- Calories: 710
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 42g
- Saturated Fat: 21g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 160mg
Keywords: creamy chicken pasta, easy Alfredo recipe, quick chicken dinner, garlic butter chicken, rigatoni Alfredo