Creamy Chicken Rigatoni (Printable)

Tender chicken and rigatoni in a silky garlic-parmesan cream with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 14 oz), cut into bite-sized pieces

→ Pasta

02 - 12 oz rigatoni pasta

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 3 garlic cloves, minced
05 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
06 - 5 oz baby spinach (optional)
07 - 3.5 oz sun-dried tomatoes, oil-packed, drained and sliced

→ Dairy

08 - 3/4 cup heavy cream
09 - 2 oz grated parmesan cheese
10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Liquids

11 - 1/2 cup chicken broth

→ Seasonings

12 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
13 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
14 - Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

→ Garnish

15 - Fresh chopped parsley, for serving
16 - Extra grated parmesan, for serving

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook rigatoni according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
02 - While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper and sauté until golden and fully cooked, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
03 - Reduce heat to medium. In the same skillet, melt butter. Add chopped onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and sun-dried tomatoes; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Pour in heavy cream and chicken broth; bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in parmesan, Italian herbs, red pepper flakes if using, and spinach if desired. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until spinach wilts and sauce thickens slightly.
05 - Return chicken and any juices to the skillet. Add rigatoni and toss to thoroughly coat everything in sauce. If sauce is too thick, use reserved pasta water to adjust consistency as needed.
06 - Taste and season with additional salt and black pepper if necessary.
07 - Serve dish hot, garnished with fresh parsley and extra parmesan cheese.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • You get all the creaminess and deep flavor using easy-to-find ingredients—even leftover chicken works in a pinch.
  • This dish turns a regular pasta night into something that feels special, but it barely takes more than half an hour.
02 -
  • Don’t rush the browning step—pale chicken is bland and never as satisfying.
  • Adding a splash of pasta water is magic for keeping the sauce glossy and luxurious instead of stodgy.
03 -
  • Always grate your own parmesan—it melts better and the flavor is unbeatable.
  • Let your chicken rest a couple of minutes before slicing to keep juices in the meat for extra tenderness.

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