Garlic Chicken Rigatoni with Creamy Sauce and Fresh Herbs

Why You’ll Love This Garlic Chicken Rigatoni

This Garlic Chicken Rigatoni fits right into a busy schedule, offering a delicious meal that comes together in just 30 minutes total, with only 15 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking. It’s perfect for home cooks like you who want something simple yet packed with flavors from fresh herbs and a creamy sauce. Not only is this recipe easy to whip up, but it also delivers on health, using lean chicken breast for protein and ingredients that boost your daily nutrients.

One of the best parts is its adaptability, allowing tweaks for gluten-free, vegan, or low-calorie preferences to suit your needs as a busy parent or student. If you’re exploring new family favorites, this dish stands out with its bold taste from garlic and herbs, making every bite memorable. For more inspiration on creamy pasta dishes, check out our Creamy Parmesan Spaghetti Recipe.

Here are some key reasons it might become your go-to meal:

• It’s quick and straightforward, ideal for weeknights when time is limited.
• The blend of garlic, chicken, and fresh herbs creates a hearty flavor that’s hard to resist.
• You can easily adjust portions for up to 4 servings, making it great for small families or meal prep.

This recipe not only satisfies your taste buds but also supports a balanced diet with its nutritious ingredients.

Essential Ingredients for Garlic Chicken Rigatoni

Gathering the right ingredients is key to making this Garlic Chicken Rigatoni shine with its creamy sauce and fresh herbs. This section lists everything you need for 4 servings, ensuring you have precise measurements for a successful cook. Start by checking your pantry and fridge to keep prep time to just 15 minutes.

Below is a comprehensive list of all the ingredients required. Remember, this recipe yields 4 servings and highlights items like sun-dried tomatoes for added depth and fresh garlic for that signature aroma.

• 8 ounces uncooked rigatoni or large tube pasta
• 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes (not packed in oil)
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 1/2 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 1/2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 cup white wine or additional reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

These ingredients combine to create a dish that’s not only tasty but also mindful of nutrition, with each 1 1/2 cups serving packing about 398 calories. For a deeper look into chicken’s role in healthy eating, visit health benefits of chicken.

How to Prepare the Perfect Garlic Chicken Rigatoni: Step-by-Step Guide

Follow this simple guide to make Garlic Chicken Rigatoni, which takes just 15 minutes to prep and another 15 to cook for a total of 30 minutes. Start by getting all your ingredients ready, as it makes the process smooth and fun. This recipe serves 4 and focuses on fresh herbs and a creamy sauce for that comforting feel.

Gathering and Prepping Ingredients

First, cook the rigatoni according to package instructions until it’s just right, then set it aside. Soak the sun-dried tomatoes in boiling water for 5 minutes, drain, and chop them up. This step adds a nice tang to your creamy sauce.

Cooking the Chicken and Building the Sauce

Next, season the chicken cubes with garlic salt and coat them in flour for extra texture. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes until it’s no longer pink, then remove it from the pan.

In the same skillet, use the remaining olive oil to cook the mushrooms and minced garlic until they’re tender. Add the chicken broth, white wine or extra broth, fresh parsley, dried basil, salt, pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, and the chopped tomatoes. Bring this mixture to a boil and let it simmer.

Combining and Serving

Stir the cooked chicken back into the sauce and heat it through. Drain your pasta and mix it with the chicken and sauce in the skillet. Finally, sprinkle on the grated Parmesan cheese and toss everything together for a creamy finish.

This method keeps things light and flavorful, perfect for busy evenings. If you’re looking for more chicken pasta ideas, try our Marry Me Chicken Recipe for another easy option.

this …

Dietary Substitutions to Customize Your Garlic Chicken Rigatoni

Garlic Chicken Rigatoni is versatile, letting you tweak it for different diets while keeping that creamy sauce and fresh herbs intact. For instance, if you’re aiming for vegan options, swap the chicken with alternatives like tofu. This recipe, which serves 4 in just 30 minutes, makes it easy to adjust without losing flavor.

Here are some straightforward swaps:

• Replace chicken with marinated tofu or tempeh for a plant-based protein.
• Use gluten-free pasta in place of regular rigatoni to fit gluten-free needs.
• Opt for low-fat alternatives like Greek yogurt instead of full cream for a lighter version.

You can also play with veggies, such as using kale in lieu of other greens, to add variety. These changes help make the dish work for everyone, from diet-conscious folks to families with mixed preferences.

Mastering Garlic Chicken Rigatoni: Advanced Tips and Variations

Once you master the basics of this 30-minute Garlic Chicken Rigatoni, try some advanced tips to elevate your cooking. Coating the chicken in flour not only adds texture but also helps thicken the sauce slightly, making each serving more satisfying. For extra portions, double the sauce and use it over other proteins like fish for variety.

Flavor and Technique Enhancements

Experiment with different pasta types, such as bow ties or penne, to change things up while maintaining the dish’s creamy essence. If you have fresh basil on hand, use 1 tablespoon to replace the dried version for a brighter taste. Searing the chicken at high heat caramelizes it nicely, locking in juices for a moist result.

Don’t hesitate to add elements like roasted red peppers for more depth. This approach keeps the recipe adaptable for any occasion, whether it’s a quick weeknight meal or something special.

How to Store Garlic Chicken Rigatoni: Best Practices

Storing your Garlic Chicken Rigatoni properly helps keep it fresh, especially since it serves 4 and cooks up in just 30 minutes. Put leftovers in airtight containers and pop them in the fridge right away. Aim to eat them within 3-4 days to enjoy the best taste and texture from the creamy sauce and fresh herbs.

For longer storage, freeze portions in freezer-safe bags, and they can last up to 2 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove with a bit of water to maintain the sauce’s consistency. Keep in mind that cooking pasta slightly under al dente before storing prevents it from getting too soft later.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Garlic Chicken Rigatoni

Garlic Chicken Rigatoni

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

🍝 Garlic Chicken Rigatoni features a creamy sauce enriched with fresh herbs, sun-dried tomatoes, and tender chicken for a satisfying meal.
🌿 This recipe is quick to prepare, perfect for weeknight dinners that don’t compromise on flavor or texture.

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

– 8 ounces uncooked rigatoni or large tube pasta

– 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes (not packed in oil)

– 1/2 cup boiling water

– 1/2 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes

– 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt

– 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

– 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

– 1 1/2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms

– 3 garlic cloves, minced

– 1/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth

– 1/4 cup white wine or additional reduced-sodium chicken broth

– 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

– 1/4 teaspoon dried basil

– 1/8 teaspoon salt

– 1/8 teaspoon pepper

– 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

1-Gathering and Prepping Ingredients: First, cook the rigatoni according to package instructions until it’s just right, then set it aside. Soak the sun-dried tomatoes in boiling water for 5 minutes, drain, and chop them up. This step adds a nice tang to your creamy sauce.

2-Cooking the Chicken and Building the Sauce: Next, season the chicken cubes with garlic salt and coat them in flour for extra texture. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the chicken for 4-5 minutes until it’s no longer pink, then remove it from the pan.

In the same skillet, use the remaining olive oil to cook the mushrooms and minced garlic until they’re tender. Add the chicken broth, white wine or extra broth, fresh parsley, dried basil, salt, pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, and the chopped tomatoes. Bring this mixture to a boil and let it simmer.

3-Combining and Serving: Stir the cooked chicken back into the sauce and heat it through. Drain your pasta and mix it with the chicken and sauce in the skillet. Finally, sprinkle on the grated Parmesan cheese and toss everything together for a creamy finish.

Last Step:

Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.

Notes

🌟 Coating chicken in flour adds extra texture and helps thicken the sauce slightly.
🧄 Fresh basil can substitute dried basil for brighter herb flavor.
🍝 Feel free to use other pasta shapes like bow ties or penne for variety.

• Author: Brandi Oshea
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Sautéing and Boiling
• Cuisine: Italian-inspired

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
• Calories: 398
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 290 mg
• Fat: 11 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 23 g
• Cholesterol: 36 mg