Nora
Rich, creamy, and packed with savory goodness, this Ultimate Garlic Butter Chicken Rigatoni is the kind of comfort food that wraps you in a warm, flavorful hug. Tender, juicy chicken bites are pan-seared to perfection, tossed with perfectly cooked rigatoni, and coated in a luscious garlic butter sauce that clings to every curve of the pasta. With every bite, you get the golden crust of seasoned chicken mingling with silky pasta and fragrant herbs.
Perfect for weeknights when you crave indulgence without fuss, this dish delivers restaurant-quality flavor in under an hour. It’s hearty enough for a cozy family dinner yet elegant enough to impress guests. And the best part? It pairs beautifully with a crisp salad, garlic bread, or even a bold glass of red wine.
Why You’ll Love This Ultimate Garlic Butter Chicken Rigatoni
- Comfort food at its finest: Creamy, buttery, and garlicky all at once.
- Crowd-pleaser: Perfect for family meals or special dinners.
- Balanced flavor: The richness of the sauce is brightened with herbs and a hint of pepper.
- Simple ingredients: No complicated shopping lists — pantry staples do the magic.
- Customizable: Add veggies like spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for variety.
What Kind of Pasta Works Best for Garlic Butter Chicken?
While rigatoni is the star here for its ability to hold onto the creamy sauce inside and out, you can swap it for penne, ziti, or even fettuccine if that’s what you have on hand. The key is to choose a pasta shape that offers nooks and crannies for the sauce to hug. Rigatoni’s wide tubes and ridges are perfect for catching every drop of garlic-butter goodness.
Ingredients for the Ultimate Garlic Butter Chicken Rigatoni
Every ingredient here plays a role in building layers of flavor and texture. From the creamy sauce to the perfectly cooked chicken, each component helps create the ultimate comfort dish.
- Rigatoni pasta – The ridged, tubular shape holds onto the sauce beautifully.
- Chicken breasts – Lean, tender, and perfect for soaking up the buttery garlic sauce.
- Butter – The heart of the sauce, adding richness and depth.
- Fresh garlic – The star flavor, bringing warmth and aroma to the dish.
- Heavy cream – Creates a luscious, silky texture.
- Parmesan cheese – Adds salty, nutty depth that melds with the sauce.
- Olive oil – For searing the chicken to a golden crust.
- Salt and pepper – Simple seasoning to enhance all the other flavors.
- Fresh parsley – A bright, fresh garnish that balances the richness.
How To Make the Ultimate Garlic Butter Chicken Rigatoni
Step 1: Cook the Pasta to Perfection
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a cup of pasta water.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken until golden on both sides and fully cooked through, about 4–5 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet and let rest before slicing into bite-sized pieces.
Step 3: Build the Garlic Butter Sauce
In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until slightly thickened.
Step 4: Combine Pasta and Chicken
Add the cooked rigatoni and sliced chicken into the skillet with the sauce. Toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce needs loosening.
Step 5: Finish and Serve
Sprinkle Parmesan cheese into the skillet and stir until melted and well incorporated. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot.
Serving and Storing Ultimate Garlic Butter Chicken Rigatoni
This recipe comfortably feeds 4 to 6 people, making it ideal for a family dinner or a small gathering with friends. Serve it fresh from the skillet so the sauce is warm and velvety. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of cream or milk to restore the sauce’s creaminess.
For longer storage, you can freeze the cooled pasta in individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before gently reheating on the stove.
What to Serve With Ultimate Garlic Butter Chicken Rigatoni?
1. Garlic Bread
Because there’s no such thing as too much garlic, a side of warm, crusty garlic bread is perfect for mopping up extra sauce.
2. Caesar Salad
The crisp romaine, creamy dressing, and crunchy croutons add freshness and balance to the rich pasta.
3. Roasted Vegetables
Caramelized broccoli, zucchini, or bell peppers bring a colorful, nutritious touch.
4. Caprese Salad
Fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil add a light, summery counterpoint to the rich pasta.
5. Steamed Asparagus
Lightly steamed and drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice for a bright side.
6. Bruschetta
Toasted bread topped with diced tomatoes, garlic, and basil for an extra burst of freshness.
7. Creamy Polenta
A cozy, buttery side that complements the pasta’s creamy sauce beautifully.
Want More Pasta Ideas with a Twist?
If you loved this Ultimate Garlic Butter Chicken Rigatoni, here are more pasta recipes you might enjoy:
- Garlic Butter Meatballs with Velvety Parmesan Penne – Tender meatballs in a creamy garlic sauce.
- Marry Me Chicken Pasta Recipe – Rich and flavorful chicken pasta perfect for special occasions.
- One Pot Smoked Sausage Pasta – A smoky, savory one-pan wonder.
- Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta – Seafood lovers’ dream with a garlicky cream sauce.
- Loaded Bacon Cheeseburger Alfredo Pasta – Decadent and hearty with a burger-inspired twist.
Save This Pin For Later
📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it anytime.
And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you add a sprinkle of chili flakes for heat? Maybe tossed in some spinach for color? I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too—let’s help each other cook smarter.
Explore beautifully curated, flavor-packed dishes on NoraNosh Recipes on Pinterest and discover your new go-to favorites!
Ultimate Garlic Butter Chicken Rigatoni Recipe
Equipment
- Large pot
- Large skillet
- Tongs
- Measuring cups & spoons
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 12 oz rigatoni
- 1.5 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1.25 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 0.5 cup reserved hot pasta water use as needed to loosen the sauce
- 1 tsp fine salt plus more for pasta water
- 0.5 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 0.25 tsp red pepper flakes optional
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice optional, to brighten
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni until al dente; reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
- Season chicken with 1/2 tsp salt and black pepper. Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high; sear chicken 6–8 minutes until cooked through and lightly golden. Transfer to a plate.
- Reduce heat to medium. Melt remaining 5 tbsp butter; add garlic and cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in heavy cream; simmer on medium-low 3–4 minutes to thicken slightly. Whisk in Parmesan until smooth.
- Add rigatoni and chicken to the sauce; toss, loosening with reserved pasta water as needed. Taste and season with remaining salt, red pepper flakes, and lemon juice if using.
- Off heat, fold in parsley and serve hot with extra Parmesan.