Description
Savor this indulgent Cheesy Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Rigatoni—a creamy, flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken pieces seared to golden perfection and tossed in a rich garlic butter Parmesan sauce. Ready in 30 minutes, this comforting meal is perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 pound Chicken Breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt, to taste
- Black Pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon Paprika (optional)
Cooking Fats and Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (or vegetable oil)
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter
- 3 cloves Garlic, fresh minced
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free option)
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated
Pasta
- 12 ounces Rigatoni Pasta (or preferred pasta)
Garnish
- 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley (or substitute with basil or omit)
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry to remove excess moisture. Cut them into bite-sized pieces, then season evenly with salt, black pepper, and paprika to add color and flavor.
- Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil and unsalted butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and sear them until they are golden brown on all sides and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving a small amount of pasta water for the sauce if needed.
- Sauté Garlic: In the same skillet used for the chicken, melt remaining butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, being careful not to burn it.
- Make Sauce: Stir in the heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese into the skillet. Let the mixture simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Add the cooked rigatoni to the Alfredo sauce, tossing to coat the pasta evenly. Fold the seared chicken bites back into the sauce and pasta mixture, heating everything through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat and sprinkle freshly chopped parsley and additional Parmesan cheese on top. Serve immediately while warm and enjoy.
Notes
- For a dairy-free alternative, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and use a dairy-free Parmesan cheese or nutritional yeast.
- You can swap rigatoni with penne, fusilli, or any preferred pasta shape.
- Adjust seasoning to taste; paprika is optional but adds nice color and depth.
- Reserve some pasta water if the sauce gets too thick to loosen it slightly when combining.
- Fresh minced garlic delivers the best aroma and flavor compared to pre-minced garlic.
