Description
This Creamy Garlic Chicken & Parmesan Pasta Delight is a quick and comforting dish combining tender seared chicken with al dente rigatoni pasta in a rich garlic parmesan cream sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it offers a luscious texture with fresh herbs and classic Italian seasoning for a flavorful meal that serves four in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Pasta
- 10 oz rigatoni pasta
- Salt for pasta water
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
- Extra parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Season the bite-sized chicken chunks with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning, ensuring each piece is well-coated for maximum flavor.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and sear until golden brown and fully cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Cook Pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook rigatoni pasta until al dente according to package instructions, usually about 10-12 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
- Sauté Garlic: Lower the skillet heat to medium-low and melt the butter. Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for about 30 seconds or until fragrant, taking care not to burn it.
- Make Cream Sauce: Pour the heavy cream into the skillet with garlic and bring it to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to combine the flavors.
- Add Parmesan: Gradually whisk in the freshly grated parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Toss Together: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, then add the drained pasta. Toss everything together to evenly coat the pasta and chicken with the creamy sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle extra parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley over the dish if desired. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in Italian seasoning and olive oil for 15 minutes before cooking.
- If you prefer a lighter sauce, substitute half the heavy cream with milk or use half-and-half.
- Reserve pasta water is key to adjust the sauce’s thickness; add gradually for desired creaminess.
- Use freshly grated parmesan for best taste and smooth sauce texture rather than pre-grated cheese.
- Garnish with chopped parsley adds a fresh color and subtle herbal note but is optional.
