Chicken Riggi's Recipe Creamy, Spicy Pasta You'll Love

Hey, have you ever tried Chicken Riggies? It’s this killer pasta dish straight out of Utica, New York. We’re talking rigatoni, juicy chicken, and a sauce that’s creamy, spicy, and so darn good you’ll be hooked. You’ve gotta try this!

The Story Behind Chicken Riggies

Okay, so Chicken Riggies has a pretty neat story. It comes from Utica’s Italian-American crowd—shoutout to those Sicilian immigrants who brought their A-game. Nobody’s totally sure who cooked it up first, but it’s such a hit they throw a whole festival for it. How fun is that?

Ingredients You’ll Need

- 1 lb rigatoni pasta - 1 lb boneless chicken breast, cubed - 1 red bell pepper, diced - 1 green bell pepper, diced - 4 hot cherry peppers, chopped - 1 medium onion, diced - 4 cloves garlic, minced - ½ cup dry sherry - 2 tbsp olive oil - 2 tbsp butter - 1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes - ½ cup heavy cream - 4 oz cream cheese - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese - 2 tsp Italian seasoning - Salt and pepper to taste

Step 1 – Marinate the Chicken

Alright, let’s kick things off. Grab a zip-top bag and mix ½ cup sherry, 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 cloves minced garlic, and 2 tsp Italian seasoning. Toss the chicken in, seal it up, and let it hang out in the fridge for an hour. It’s gonna soak up all that goodness!

Step 2 – Cook the Chicken and Veggies

Once it’s marinated, drain the chicken and ditch the marinade. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a big pot and cook the chicken ‘til it’s golden and done. Pull it out, then melt 2 tbsp butter in that same pot. Add the peppers, onion, and garlic—let ‘em soften up for 7-10 minutes. Your place is gonna smell insane!

Step 3 – Make the Sauce

Toss the chicken back in the pot. Now add the crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, cream cheese, Parmesan, and a little salt and pepper. Let it simmer for 10-15 minutes ‘til it’s thick and creamy. Stir it here and there so it doesn’t stick. You’re so close!

Step 4 – Combine with Pasta

While the sauce does its thing, cook your rigatoni like the box says. Drain it, then dump it right into the pot with the sauce. Stir it up so every noodle’s coated in that spicy, creamy deliciousness. It’s comfort food heaven!

Tips and Variations

- Not big on spice? Cut back on the cherry peppers or go mild. - Toss in mushrooms or black olives for a little something extra. - Swap Parmesan for Romano if you like a bolder cheese vibe. - Pro tip: Pair it with garlic bread. Trust me, it’s a game-changer.

The Finished Dish

Check it out! Your Chicken Riggies is ready to dig into. It’s creamy, spicy, and bursting with flavor. Perfect for a lazy night in or showing off at a potluck. You nailed it!

Try It at Home or Visit Utica!

So, what’s the verdict? Gonna whip this up at home? Or, if you’re ever near Utica, New York, you’ve gotta taste it there.

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