Description
A comforting and hearty chicken rigatoni dish featuring tender pasta and juicy chicken in a rich, creamy sauce, topped with cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound of rigatoni pasta
- 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast (diced)
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 medium onion (chopped)
- 3 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) of diced tomatoes (preferably no salt added)
- 1 cup of heavy cream
- 1 cup of chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for serving)
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
- Optional: Spinach or kale (for added greens)
- Optional: Mushrooms (sliced)
- Optional: Red pepper flakes (for a spicy kick)
Instructions
- Start by boiling a large pot of salted water over high heat. Once it comes to a rolling boil, toss in your rigatoni. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, typically around 10-12 minutes. Don’t forget to stir occasionally!
- While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Sauté until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remember to stir often to prevent sticking.
- Next, add the chopped onion and cook until softened, around 3-4 minutes. Then, stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the diced tomatoes, heavy cream, and chicken broth, combining everything into a smooth sauce. Stir in the Italian seasoning, letting it simmer for about 5-7 minutes to thicken slightly. Adjust the salt and pepper to your liking.
- Drain the rigatoni when it finishes cooking and add it directly to the skillet. Toss everything together gently, ensuring each piece of pasta is coated in that creamy, savory sauce.
- Finally, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Give it a taste and adjust any seasonings as needed.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and additional Parmesan on top for an extra touch of indulgence.
Notes
For healthier alternatives, substitute chicken with mushrooms or chickpeas for vegetarian options or use Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream for a lighter meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg