Description
This Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Creamy Rigatoni Pasta is a comforting and delicious dish featuring tender, seasoned chicken breasts seared to perfection and served over rigatoni coated in a rich, creamy Parmesan sauce infused with garlic and Italian herbs. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner, it combines simple ingredients to create a flavorful, hearty meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
Pasta
- 8 oz rigatoni pasta
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil to cook the rigatoni.
- Cook Rigatoni: Add rigatoni pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat Oil: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the olive oil for searing the chicken.
- Season Chicken: Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning evenly.
- Sear Chicken: Place chicken in the hot skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes per side, until golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Slice Chicken: Remove chicken from skillet, allow it to cool slightly, then slice into strips.
- Melt Butter: In the same skillet, melt unsalted butter over medium heat to prepare for the sauce.
- Sauté Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Simmer Broth: Pour in chicken broth, stirring to combine with garlic butter mixture, and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Add Cream: Stir in the heavy cream continuously until the sauce begins to thicken and become smooth.
- Melt Parmesan: Gradually stir in grated Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy and well combined.
- Toss Pasta: Add the cooked rigatoni into the skillet and toss well to coat the pasta thoroughly with the creamy sauce.
- Add Chicken: Place the sliced chicken on top of the pasta and toss gently again to combine all the flavors evenly.
- Garnish & Serve: Garnish the dish with freshly chopped parsley and serve warm for the best flavor.
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can marinate the chicken breasts in the Italian seasoning and garlic for 30 minutes before cooking.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, let it simmer a little longer before adding the pasta.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for the creamiest texture and best taste.
- This dish pairs well with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables.
- To make it lighter, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
