Creamy Chicken Rigatoni with Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms
Indulge in a rich and flavorful dish inspired by Romano's Macaroni Grill, featuring al dente rigatoni pasta coated in a creamy sauce enhanced by grilled chicken, earthy mushrooms, and sweet caramelized onions. This comforting meal is perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests. Using a blend of butter and olive oil for added richness and a tried-and-true method for caramelizing onions, this recipe captures the essence of restaurant-quality dining right in your home kitchen. Paired with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and a garnish of fresh parsley, it's a dish your loved ones will rave about.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
2 tablespoons (for sautéing)
butter
4 tablespoons (for sautéing)
mushrooms
8 ounces (sliced)
grilled chicken
12 ounces (chunked or sliced)
salt
to taste (to season)
pepper
to taste (to season)
basil
2 teaspoons (dried or fresh)
caramelized onion
6 ounces (prepared (see Kittencal's recipe))
cooking wine
6 ounces (for deglazing)
heavy cream
20 ounces (for sauce)
rigatoni pasta
24 ounces (cooked al dente)
Parmesan cheese
2 ounces (grated)
parsley
to taste (for garnish)
Instructions
1
Heat a large saute pan over medium heat and add a mixture of olive oil and butter.
2
Once hot, add the sliced mushrooms and cook until they are browned and tender, about 3-4 minutes.
3
Stir in the grilled chicken, caramelized onions, basil, salt, and pepper. Saute for approximately 1-2 minutes until the chicken is warmed through and the ingredients are well combined.
4
Pour in the cooking wine, allowing it to simmer for about 1 minute, then add the heavy cream. Increase heat to high and bring to a gentle boil.
5
While the sauce is simmering, prepare the rigatoni pasta according to package instructions. Once cooked, briefly dip the pasta in boiling water for 10 seconds to heat it up, then drain thoroughly.
6
Carefully add the rigatoni to the saute pan, tossing to coat the pasta in the creamy sauce. Continue to toss over the heat for another 2-3 minutes until the pasta is well combined with the sauce.
7
Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta, tossing until completely melted and incorporated.
8
Serve immediately on warmed plates, garnished with chopped parsley for a touch of color and freshness.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What restaurant inspired this Creamy Chicken Rigatoni recipe?
This recipe is inspired by the flavors of Romano's Macaroni Grill.
What type of pasta is best for this dish?
Rigatoni pasta is used in this recipe, cooked al dente.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What are the primary proteins in this dish?
The primary protein is 12 ounces of chunked or sliced grilled chicken.
What ingredients are used to sauté the mushrooms?
A mixture of 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 4 tablespoons of butter is used.
How long should I cook the mushrooms?
Cook the sliced mushrooms for about 3-4 minutes until they are browned and tender.
What gives the sauce its creamy texture?
The creamy texture comes from 20 ounces of heavy cream added to the pan.
What is used to deglaze the pan?
6 ounces of cooking wine are used for deglazing and simmering.
How should the onions be prepared?
The onions should be caramelized beforehand; the recipe calls for 6 ounces of prepared caramelized onions.
What herbs are used for seasoning?
Dried or fresh basil is used for seasoning, and fresh parsley is used for garnish.
What kind of cheese is added at the end?
2 ounces of grated Parmesan cheese are tossed into the pasta until melted.
How do I ensure the pasta is hot when adding it to the sauce?
Briefly dip the cooked pasta in boiling water for 10 seconds right before adding it to the sauté pan.
How long do I simmer the cooking wine?
Allow the cooking wine to simmer for approximately 1 minute before adding the cream.
At what heat should I bring the sauce to a boil?
Increase the heat to high to bring the sauce to a gentle boil after adding the heavy cream.
How long should the pasta be tossed with the sauce?
Toss the pasta in the sauce over the heat for another 2-3 minutes until well combined.
What is the total number of ingredients required?
There are 13 ingredients in total for this recipe.
Is this recipe suitable for entertaining guests?
Yes, it is described as a comforting meal perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests.
What are the specific tags for this recipe?
Tags include chicken, pasta, rigatoni, creamy sauce, caramelized onions, comfort food, and Italian.
How much rigatoni is needed?
The recipe requires 24 ounces of rigatoni pasta.
Can I use fresh basil instead of dried?
Yes, the recipe allows for either 2 teaspoons of dried or fresh basil.
When should the salt and pepper be added?
Add salt and pepper along with the grilled chicken, onions, and basil.
What is the recommended garnish?
Chopped parsley is recommended for a touch of color and freshness.
Should the plates be warmed before serving?
Yes, the instructions suggest serving immediately on warmed plates.
What is the role of the butter in this recipe?
The butter is used in combination with olive oil for added richness during sautéing.
How much Parmesan cheese is required?
The recipe calls for 2 ounces of grated Parmesan cheese.
Is this recipe considered an easy meal?
Yes, it is tagged as an 'easy recipe' and 'family meal'.
How much grilled chicken is used?
The recipe uses 12 ounces of chunked or sliced grilled chicken.
What type of mushrooms are used?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of sliced mushrooms.
What is the total amount of heavy cream used?
The recipe uses 20 ounces of heavy cream for the sauce.
How do you prepare the onions for this dish?
The onions are caramelized to provide a sweet flavor that enhances the creamy sauce.