Description
Authentic Utica-Style Chicken Riggies is a creamy high protein pasta dinner made with tender chicken, rigatoni, hot cherry peppers, and a rich tomato cream sauce. This Central New York classic delivers bold flavor, comforting texture, and satisfying protein in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb rigatoni pasta
- 1 tablespoon salt (for pasta water)
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 5 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1/2 cup hot cherry peppers, chopped
- 2 tablespoons cherry pepper juice
- 1 cup crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook rigatoni until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water and drain.
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken 5-7 minutes until golden and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil. Sauté onion 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in bell pepper and chopped cherry peppers. Cook 3-4 minutes until slightly tender.
- Add crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and chicken broth. Simmer 5 minutes.
- Stir in heavy cream and cherry pepper juice.
- Return cooked chicken to skillet and simmer 5 minutes.
- Add drained rigatoni and toss to coat. Add reserved pasta water if needed for consistency.
- Stir in grated cheese and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes.
- Serve hot with parsley and extra cheese.
Notes
- Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Reheat with a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce.
- Adjust cherry peppers for preferred spice level.
- Pairs well with a simple green salad or crusty bread.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 45g
- Cholesterol: 115mg