Ingredients:

• For the Chicken:
  • 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
• For the Sauce:
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
• For the Pasta:
  • 12 oz rigatoni pasta
  • Salt for boiling water
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

Prepare the Chicken:

1. Season and Cook Chicken:
   • Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and paprika.
   • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sauté until fully cooked and golden brown, about 8 minutes. Remove from skillet and set aside.

Make the Sauce:

2. Sauté Garlic:
   • In the same skillet, add more olive oil if needed. Add minced garlic and red pepper flakes, and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Create Sauce:
   • Stir in the tomato sauce and let it simmer for a few minutes. Reduce the heat to low and add the heavy cream, stirring well to combine.
   • Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer, then add the Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook until the sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.

Cook Pasta:

4. Boil Rigatoni:
   • In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook rigatoni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and return to the pot.

Combine and Serve:

5. Mix and Garnish:
   • Add the cooked chicken and sauce to the pot with the rigatoni. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated.
   • Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley.

Conclusion:

This Spicy Chicken Rigatoni is packed with flavor and has a wonderful creamy texture that balances the heat of the red pepper flakes. It’s a robust dish that’s perfect for spicing up dinner time!