Description
Get ready to impress your family or guests with this Cheesy Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Rigatoni in Alfredo Sauce — a rich and satisfying comfort food dish that comes together in under 40 minutes! It’s the perfect recipe for anyone craving a quick dinner that tastes like it came from a restaurant. Juicy, seared chicken bites tossed in garlic butter are layered over rigatoni coated in creamy homemade Alfredo sauce, making this dish a delicious crowd-pleaser. Great for weeknights, cozy date nights, or whenever you need hearty food ideas with simple steps. If you’re searching for easy dinner recipes or quick comfort meals, this one’s a must-try!
Ingredients
1 pound chicken breasts
12 ounces rigatoni pasta
4 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup heavy cream
¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
1. Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
2. Boil rigatoni pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of pasta water.
3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and half the butter over medium-high heat. Sear chicken pieces until golden and cooked through, about 6–8 minutes. Remove and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the remaining butter. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
5. Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
6. Stir in grated Parmesan until sauce is smooth and thick. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
7. Toss cooked rigatoni into the Alfredo sauce and stir to coat.
8. Plate the pasta, top with chicken bites, and sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes and parsley.
9. Serve immediately while hot and creamy.
Notes
Use freshly grated Parmesan for a smooth, creamy Alfredo sauce that blends perfectly.
Don’t skip the pasta water—it’s key to getting the right sauce consistency.
Let the garlic cook just until fragrant to avoid bitterness in the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ~1½ cups
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
Keywords: easy recipe, dinner ideas, quick dinner, chicken pasta, alfredo rigatoni, food ideas