Burst Cherry Tomato Basil Chicken Rigatoni Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Cherry Tomato Basil Chicken Rigatoni

This recipe for Cherry Tomato Basil Chicken Rigatoni is a go-to dinner that brings so much joy to the table. It’s simple and quick, perfect for busy weeknights when you’re juggling work and family. This dish serves six and comes together in about 40 minutes, with just 10 minutes of prep and 30 minutes of cooking.

Beyond its ease, the meal is packed with fresh ingredients like cherry tomatoes and basil that add a burst of flavor. You’ll love how it delivers lean protein from the chicken for a nutritious balance, supporting overall wellness. It’s versatile too, so you can tweak it for different tastes or diets without losing that delicious appeal.

Every bite offers a mix of sweet tomatoes, fragrant basil, and tender chicken that makes it stand out. Whether you’re cooking for family or guests, this rigatoni feels special yet easy to whip up. For more ideas on quick meals, check out our chicken a la king recipe for another flavorful option.

Essential Ingredients for Cherry Tomato Basil Chicken Rigatoni

This recipe uses simple ingredients that come together for a tasty meal. Below is a full list of what you need, grouped for clarity. Make sure to measure everything accurately to get the best results.

For the Chicken

• 1 to 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (ideally 2 equal-sized breasts)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

For the Pasta and Sauce

• 1 pound (16 ounces) rigatoni pasta
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 cup reserved pasta water
• ½ yellow onion, diced (or substitute shallot)
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
• ¼ cup tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth as substitute)
• ½ cup heavy cream (or coconut milk for dairy-free option)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 2 ounces)

For Garnish

• ½ cup fresh basil leaves, julienned
• Extra Parmesan cheese
• Additional red pepper flakes

These ingredients make the dish nutritious, with each serving offering about 585 calories, 63.7 g carbohydrates, 31.7 g protein, and 19.6 g fat. For more on how chicken adds to a balanced meal, visit this health benefits of chicken resource.

How to Prepare the Perfect Cherry Tomato Basil Chicken Rigatoni: Step-by-Step Guide

Getting this Cherry Tomato Basil Chicken Rigatoni just right is fun and straightforward. Start by gathering everything you need, like rinsing the cherry tomatoes and chopping the basil. Then, cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces for even cooking.

Next, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the 1 pound of rigatoni pasta until it’s al dente, which takes about 10-12 minutes. Don’t forget to reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining it, as this helps with the sauce later.

Season and Cook the Chicken

Butter the chicken breasts by slicing them horizontally and cutting into two equal pieces. Season with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Heat 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until it’s golden and cooked through. Remove it from the pan and keep it warm under foil.

In the same skillet, deglaze with ¼ cup white wine to scrape up the tasty bits. Add 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, the diced ½ yellow onion, 1 pint cherry tomatoes, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Sauté this mix for about 10 minutes until the tomatoes break down and release their juices.

Build the Sauce and Combine

Press the tomatoes gently to release more juices, then stir in ¼ cup tomato paste, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Cook for 1 minute until the paste darkens and smells amazing. Pour in the remaining ¾ cup white wine or chicken broth and simmer for 2-3 minutes to blend the flavors.

Stir in ½ cup heavy cream and half of the ½ cup julienned basil leaves, then bring everything to a simmer. Fold in the cooked rigatoni, using the reserved pasta water as needed to thin the sauce. Add ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

Slice the cooked chicken and serve it over the pasta. Garnish with extra Parmesan, additional red pepper flakes, and the remaining basil. This method ensures a creamy, flavorful dish that’s ready in 40 minutes total.

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Dietary Substitutions to Customize Your Cherry Tomato Basil Chicken Rigatoni

Making this Cherry Tomato Basil Chicken Rigatoni work for your needs is simple with a few swaps. You can replace the 1 to 1 ½ pounds of chicken with firm tofu or tempeh for a vegan twist, keeping the dish hearty. If you want variety, try shrimp or turkey breast as other protein options that blend well with the sauce.

For veggies, swap the 1 pint cherry tomatoes with sun-dried ones for a richer taste, or add fresh spinach to boost nutrients. If you’re watching dairy, use coconut milk instead of heavy cream and skip the Parmesan or opt for a vegan version. These changes help keep the meal light and adaptable for everyone.

Adjust seasonings like red pepper flakes to control the heat, or add Italian herbs for extra flavor. With these tips, you can make the recipe fit gluten-free pasta or low-calorie choices easily. For more pasta ideas, explore our marry me chicken pasta variation.

Mastering Cherry Tomato Basil Chicken Rigatoni: Advanced Tips and Variations

Taking your Cherry Tomato Basil Chicken Rigatoni to the next level starts with smart techniques. Sear the chicken at high heat to lock in juices, then let it finish in the sauce for deeper flavor. This method ensures every piece is tender and full of taste.

For fun twists, add a splash of white wine or balsamic vinegar to brighten the sauce. You can mix in extra veggies like 2 cups of chopped spinach or stir ¼ cup basil pesto with the cream for more zest. Using gluten-free pasta makes it accessible for all diets, while skipping red pepper flakes tones down the spice.

Presentation matters too, so garnish with fresh basil and a drizzle of olive oil for a wow factor. If you’re prepping ahead, cook the chicken and sauce separately and combine with fresh pasta later. These ideas make the dish even more enjoyable and customizable.

How to Store Cherry Tomato Basil Chicken Rigatoni: Best Practices

Keeping your Cherry Tomato Basil Chicken Rigatoni fresh is key for leftovers. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days to lock in flavors. This works great for meal prep during busy weeks.

If you want to freeze it, divide portions into freezer-safe containers and keep them for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to maintain that yummy texture. When warming it up, use the stove or microwave and add a bit of water or broth to keep the sauce smooth.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Cherry Tomato Basil Chicken Rigatoni

Cherry Tomato Basil Chicken Rigatoni

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🍅 Burst Cherry Tomato Basil Chicken Rigatoni blends fresh cherry tomatoes and fragrant basil with tender chicken for a wholesome and vibrant meal.
🍗 This recipe offers a balanced combination of protein, veggies, and creamy pasta that’s perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests.

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

– 1 to 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts (ideally 2 equal-sized breasts)

– 1 teaspoon garlic powder

– 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

– 1 teaspoon kosher salt

– Freshly ground black pepper to taste

– 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

– 1 pound (16 ounces) rigatoni pasta

– 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

– 1 cup reserved pasta water

– ½ yellow onion, diced (or substitute shallot)

– 1 pint cherry tomatoes

– 3 garlic cloves, minced

– 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning

– ¼ cup tomato paste

– 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

– 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

– 1 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth as substitute)

– ½ cup heavy cream (or coconut milk for dairy-free option)

– ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 2 ounces)

– ½ cup fresh basil leaves, julienned

– Extra Parmesan cheese

– Additional red pepper flakes

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Instructions

1-How to Prepare the Perfect Cherry Tomato Basil Chicken Rigatoni: Getting this Cherry Tomato Basil Chicken Rigatoni just right is fun and straightforward. Start by gathering everything you need, like rinsing the cherry tomatoes and chopping the basil. Then, cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces for even cooking.

2-Next: bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the 1 pound of rigatoni pasta until it’s al dente, which takes about 10-12 minutes. Don’t forget to reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining it, as this helps with the sauce later.

3-Season and Cook the Chicken: Butter the chicken breasts by slicing them horizontally and cutting into two equal pieces. Season with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Heat 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken for 4-5 minutes per side until it’s golden and cooked through. Remove it from the pan and keep it warm under foil.

4-In the same skillet, deglaze with ¼ cup white wine to scrape up the tasty bits. Add 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, the diced ½ yellow onion, 1 pint cherry tomatoes, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Sauté this mix for about 10 minutes until the tomatoes break down and release their juices.

5-Build the Sauce and Combine: Press the tomatoes gently to release more juices, then stir in ¼ cup tomato paste, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, and 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Cook for 1 minute until the paste darkens and smells amazing. Pour in the remaining ¾ cup white wine or chicken broth and simmer for 2-3 minutes to blend the flavors.

6-Stir in ½ cup heavy cream and half of the ½ cup julienned basil leaves, then bring everything to a simmer. Fold in the cooked rigatoni, using the reserved pasta water as needed to thin the sauce. Add ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

7-Slice the cooked chicken and serve it over the pasta. Garnish with extra Parmesan, additional red pepper flakes, and the remaining basil. This method ensures a creamy, flavorful dish that’s ready in 40 minutes total.

Last Step:

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Notes

🌿 Add 2 cups chopped spinach for extra vegetables and nutrients.
🧄 Stir in ¼ cup basil pesto with the cream for a richer basil flavor.
🌾 Use gluten-free pasta to accommodate dietary restrictions and keep this dish inclusive.

• Author: Brandi Oshea
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Searing, Sautéing, Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian
• Diet: Omnivore

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 585
• Sugar: 5.9g
• Fat: 19.6g
• Saturated Fat: 7.4g
• Carbohydrates: 63.7g
• Fiber: 3.8g
• Protein: 31.7g