Description
Cheesy Rigatoni with Garlic Parmesan Chicken is a creamy, comforting pasta dish featuring tender chicken, a rich cheese sauce, and garlic herb seasoning. This easy weeknight dinner recipe is perfect for families and packed with flavor. Great for meal prep or a cozy night in.
Ingredients
1 lb rigatoni pasta
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 cup heavy cream
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
1. Boil the rigatoni in generously salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain.
2. Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
3. In a skillet, heat olive oil and sear the chicken until golden and fully cooked. Set aside to rest.
4. In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté minced garlic until fragrant.
5. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in parmesan and mozzarella until creamy.
6. Slice the cooked chicken into strips.
7. Add cooked rigatoni to the cheese sauce and toss to coat. Thin with reserved pasta water if needed.
8. Top with sliced chicken and extra parmesan. Serve hot.
Notes
Use freshly grated cheeses for the best melt and flavor.
Avoid overcooking the rigatoni—it should be al dente to hold up in the sauce.
Let the chicken rest after cooking for juicier slices.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 125mg