Description
Cheesy Rigatoni with Garlic Parmesan Chicken is the ultimate comfort food: tender, golden-seared chicken coated in garlic and parmesan, paired with rigatoni tossed in a rich, creamy cheese sauce. It’s hearty, bold, and irresistibly cheesy — perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy gatherings.
Ingredients
1 lb rigatoni pasta
1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
3 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rigatoni and cook until al dente. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water.
2. Pat chicken dry. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and a coating of grated parmesan.
3. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high. Sear chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove and let rest.
4. In the same skillet, reduce heat and melt butter with olive oil. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
5. Pour in heavy cream. Stir in parmesan and mozzarella. Simmer until smooth and thickened.
6. Add cooked rigatoni. Toss well. Loosen with pasta water if needed.
7. Slice chicken. Place on top of pasta. Garnish with parsley, extra parmesan, and cracked pepper. Serve hot.
Notes
Let chicken rest before slicing to keep it juicy.
Reserve pasta water—it helps adjust the sauce’s consistency.
Use freshly grated cheese for better melt and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Pasta Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 720
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 610mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 45g
- Cholesterol: 155mg
Keywords: cheesy rigatoni, garlic parmesan chicken, creamy pasta