Description

Creamy, garlicky, and irresistibly comforting—this Garlic Butter Chicken with Rigatoni and Parmesan is your next go-to easy dinner idea. It features golden seared chicken bites tossed in a rich garlic butter sauce, finished with parmesan and rigatoni pasta that soaks in every delicious drop. Whether you need a quick weeknight meal, a cozy weekend comfort food, or new dinner ideas to rotate in, this easy recipe fits the bill. It’s bold, simple, and ready in under an hour—perfect for anyone craving big flavor with minimal effort.

Ingredients

12 oz rigatoni pasta

1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts

2 tbsp olive oil

3 tbsp unsalted butter

4 cloves garlic minced

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

1 tsp salt (plus more for pasta water)

½ tsp black pepper

2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.

2. Cut chicken into bite-sized cubes. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.

3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken until golden and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes. Remove and set aside.

4. In the same skillet, reduce heat and add butter. Once melted, add garlic and sauté 1–2 minutes until fragrant.

5. Return cooked chicken to the skillet, then add drained pasta. Stir to combine.

6. Sprinkle in parmesan and toss until melted and creamy. Add reserved pasta water if needed to loosen sauce.

7. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.

8. Top with parsley and extra parmesan. Serve hot.

Notes

Use freshly grated parmesan for the creamiest texture.

Don’t skip the pasta water—it’s key for binding the sauce.

Chicken thighs can be substituted for juicier results.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 610
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 480mg
Fat: 32g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 15g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 42g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 38g
Cholesterol: 130mg

Keywords: easy dinner, garlic chicken pasta, quick pasta recipe, comfort food, weeknight dinner