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Garlic Chicken Rigatoni

Garlic Chicken Rigatoni
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Garlic Chicken Rigatoni is a comforting and quick-to-make dish featuring tender chicken, perfectly cooked rigatoni pasta, and a rich, creamy garlic sauce. Ideal for busy weeknights or relaxed weekends, this recipe combines simple ingredients with straightforward steps to deliver a flavorful and satisfying meal with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale

Proteins

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced

Pasta

  • 12 oz rigatoni pasta

Produce

  • 4 fresh garlic cloves, minced
  • Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (optional garnish)

Dairy

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Liquids

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup chicken broth

Seasonings

  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then cook chicken slices until golden and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside to rest.
  2. Cook the Rigatoni: While chicken cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain pasta, reserving about half a cup of pasta water for the sauce.
  3. Sauté the Garlic: Reduce skillet heat to medium. Add more olive oil if needed, then gently sauté minced garlic until fragrant and golden, about 1–2 minutes. Avoid burning to prevent bitterness.
  4. Create the Creamy Sauce: Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits for added flavor. Stir in heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Gradually add grated Parmesan, stirring until melted and sauce thickens slightly. If sauce is too thick, loosen with reserved pasta water.
  5. Combine and Serve: Slice cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and return to skillet along with drained rigatoni. Toss gently to coat pasta and chicken evenly with garlic cream sauce. Finish with freshly chopped parsley or basil if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Use fresh garlic cloves for the best flavor.
  • Do not overcook chicken; remove it just before fully cooked to keep it juicy.
  • Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for richer taste and better melting.
  • Simmer sauce gently to meld flavors and thicken without burning.

Nutrition

Keywords: Garlic Chicken Rigatoni, Creamy Garlic Pasta, Chicken Pasta, Quick Dinner, One-Pan Meal, Comfort Food, Italian Dinner

Find it online: https://ninagourmet.com/garlic-chicken-rigatoni/