Go Back
comforting creamy chicken dish

Chicken Riggies

This classic Upstate New York pasta dish combines tender chicken pieces with rigatoni in a luxuriously creamy tomato sauce. The perfect balance of rich, savory flavors makes this comfort food ideal for family dinners or entertaining guests.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 685
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1/4 cup sherry wine
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese freshly grated, plus extra for serving
  • 1 (8 ounce) package sliced mushrooms
  • 1 (8 ounce) box rigatoni pasta
  • 1 green bell pepper chopped
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts cubed
  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • 8 shallots sliced
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 (4 ounce) jar sweet red peppers drained and julienned
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 (2 1/2 ounce) can sliced black olives drained

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Pasta pot
  • Cutting board

Method
 

  1. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat until butter is melted and slightly bubbling.
  2. Add minced garlic and sliced shallots to the skillet. Sauté until soft and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
  3. Add cubed chicken breasts to the skillet and season generously with salt and pepper. Sauté until lightly browned on the outside.
  4. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook rigatoni according to package directions until al dente.
  5. Add green bell pepper, mushrooms, sweet red peppers, and black olives to the skillet with the chicken.
  6. Pour in tomato sauce, reduce heat to low, and let everything simmer together for about 10 minutes.
  7. Add sherry wine to the skillet and simmer for another 10 minutes, allowing the alcohol to cook off.
  8. Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Allow the mixture to simmer for a final 10 minutes until it thickens into a luxurious sauce that coats the back of a spoon.
  9. Drain the cooked pasta well and immediately add it to the creamy chicken mixture. Toss until every piece of rigatoni is coated with sauce.
  10. Serve immediately with additional grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

For best results, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-packaged varieties. The dish can be customized based on your preferences - feel free to omit olives or mushrooms if they're not to your taste. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop with a splash of cream to restore the sauce's consistency.
This dish pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad and garlic bread for a complete meal.