If you’ve ever craved a pasta dish that’s creamy, spicy, and packed with bold flavors, chicken riggies might just become your new favorite. Originating from Utica, New York, this Italian-American dish combines tender chicken, rigatoni pasta, and a luscious tomato-cream sauce with a kick from cherry peppers. Wondering how to make chicken riggies at home? Let’s dive into an easy-to-follow recipe that will have your taste buds dancing!
What Is Chicken Riggies?
Chicken riggies is a hearty pasta dish featuring rigatoni tossed in a spicy, creamy tomato sauce with juicy pieces of chicken and a mix of sweet and hot peppers. The dish is beloved in central New York and is known for its balance of creamy richness and peppery heat. You can customize the spice level by adjusting the amount and type of peppers used, making it perfect for both mild and adventurous eaters.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s a rundown of the essential ingredients to make authentic chicken riggies:
– 1 pound rigatoni pasta
– 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
– 1/4 cup olive oil
– 8 cloves garlic, chopped
– 2 large red bell peppers, sliced
– 5 medium hot cherry peppers, chopped (remove seeds for less heat)
– 1 cup dry white wine
– 1 28-ounce can crushed plum tomatoes
– 1 cup heavy cream
– 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese
– Salt and black pepper to taste
– Fresh basil leaves, torn (optional)
– Reserved pasta water (about 1 cup) to adjust sauce consistency
Step-by-Step: How to Make Chicken Riggies
1. Prepare the Chicken
Start by seasoning the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-6 minutes per side for thighs or until no longer pink inside. Remove the chicken and set it aside, tented with foil to keep warm.
2. Sauté the Peppers and Garlic
In the same skillet, add the sliced red bell peppers and cook for 4-5 minutes until they soften and start to brown. Add the chopped garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn the garlic. Then stir in the chopped hot cherry peppers and cook for an additional minute to release their spicy flavor.
3. Build the Sauce
Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until the liquid reduces by half. Then add the crushed plum tomatoes and reduce the heat to medium. Let the sauce simmer for about 5 minutes to deepen the flavors.
4. Add Cream and Chicken
Stir in the heavy cream and let the sauce simmer until it thickens slightly and turns a lovely pinkish color. Cut the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and add it back to the sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, keeping in mind the cheese will add some saltiness.
5. Cook the Pasta
While the sauce simmers, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve about a cup of pasta water before draining.
6. Combine Pasta and Sauce
Add the drained rigatoni to the sauce along with the grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese. Toss everything together, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and ensure the pasta is well coated.
7. Serve and Garnish
Serve your chicken riggies hot, garnished with fresh basil leaves if desired. For an extra touch, you can sprinkle more cheese on top or even bake the dish with cheese until golden and bubbly for a comforting twist.
Tips for Perfect Chicken Riggies
– Peppers: Adjust the number of hot cherry peppers or use milder bell peppers depending on your spice tolerance. Removing seeds reduces heat.
– Chicken: Thighs provide juicier, more flavorful bites, but breasts work well too.
– Wine: Use a dry white wine for deglazing to add depth to the sauce.
– Cheese: Pecorino Romano gives a sharper flavor, while Parmesan offers nuttiness.
– Pasta Water: Don’t skip reserving pasta water—it helps bind the sauce to the rigatoni for a silky finish.
– Variations: Add mushrooms or olives for extra flavor and texture.
Chicken riggies is a fantastic one-pot meal that’s perfect for weeknights or impressing guests with a taste of Italian-American comfort food. It’s creamy, spicy, and utterly satisfying.
Enjoy making chicken riggies at home—it’s easier than you think and absolutely delicious!
Chicken riggies brings a perfect blend of creamy, spicy, and savory flavors to your table. Try it tonight for a pasta dish that’s sure to become a family favorite!