Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Creamy Rigatoni
Creamy garlic butter chicken bites tossed in cheesy rigatoni. A one-pan, weeknight dinner packed with flavor!
Ingredients
For the Chicken Bites:
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp garlic minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
For the Creamy Rigatoni:
- 10 oz rigatoni pasta
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 8 oz block cream cheese, softened
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Cajun seasoning optional, for a mild kick
- 1 tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup reserved pasta water as needed to loosen sauce
- Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Chicken
- Heat olive oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season chicken pieces with Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Sauté chicken until golden and fully cooked through (about 6–7 minutes).
- Add butter and minced garlic, cooking another 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Remove chicken and set aside.
Step 2: Prepare the Creamy Rigatoni
- In the same skillet, pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add rigatoni pasta and cook uncovered for 12–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is tender and liquid is slightly reduced.
Step 3: Make the Cream Sauce
- Lower the heat and stir in cream cheese until fully melted and smooth.
- Add mozzarella, Parmesan, garlic powder, Cajun seasoning (if using), salt, and black pepper. Stir until cheeses melt into a thick sauce.
- Use reserved pasta water (as needed) to thin the sauce to your desired consistency.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
- Return garlic butter chicken to the skillet and toss everything together until well coated in the creamy sauce.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.