Name: Spicy Chicken Riggies Pasta Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American (Upstate New York)
Ingredients: ½ pound gluten-free rigatoni (or your favorite rigatoni); 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, diced; ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning; Salt and pepper to taste; 1 red bell pepper, sliced; 1 onion, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; ¼ cup pickled cherry peppers; 2 tablespoons reserved cherry pepper brine; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 14.5 ounces fire roasted crushed tomatoes; ½ cup heavy cream; Grated parmesan cheese; Fresh basil

If you’re craving a pasta dish with just the right kick of heat and creamy comfort, you’ve gotta try my Spicy Chicken Riggies Pasta Recipe. This fan-freaking-tastic dish combines tender chicken, juicy cherry peppers, and a rich tomato cream sauce that’s seriously addictive — trust me, once you make it, it’ll be a go-to for weeknights and gatherings alike. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through all the juicy details and tips so you nail it perfectly every time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Bold yet Balanced Flavor: The combination of spicy cherry peppers and creamy tomato sauce makes every bite exciting but comforting.
Simple Ingredients, Big Impact: You don’t need a pantry full of exotic items — common ingredients work beautifully here.
Perfect Weeknight Meal: Ready in just about 30 minutes, it’s a fantastic way to impress without spending hours in the kitchen.
Family Favorite: My family goes crazy for the spicy-sweet kick, and I bet yours will too.

A white plate sits on a wooden board atop a white marbled surface, filled with a serving of rigatoni pasta covered in thick red tomato sauce mixed with pieces of mushrooms and green spinach leaves. The pasta is topped with a light sprinkle of grated cheese and a silver fork rests beside the pasta on the plate’s right side. In the background, there is a small brown bowl filled with grated cheese and fresh green basil leaves nearby, with a blue and white striped cloth partially visible on the left side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Spicy Chicken Riggies, Spicy Chicken Riggies Pasta, Chicken Riggies with Cherry Peppers, Easy Chicken Riggies Recipe, Creamy Spicy Pasta Dish

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Spicy Chicken Riggies Pasta Recipe shines because of its fresh ingredients all working in harmony — the key players like pickled cherry peppers bring the fire, while cream cools it down just right. Don’t skip out on quality tomatoes either; they make a huge flavor difference.

Flat lay of a small pile of uncooked rigatoni pasta with ridges, a few raw boneless skinless chicken thighs diced into cubes, a whole red bell pepper sliced into strips, a diced white onion, three peeled garlic cloves chopped finely, a small white ceramic bowl with bright red pickled cherry peppers, another small white bowl filled with a creamy off-white liquid representing heavy cream, a small white bowl containing fire-roasted crushed tomatoes with visible charred bits, a small white bowl holding golden olive oil, a few fresh bright green basil leaves scattered, and a small mound of finely grated pale yellow parmesan cheese, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Spicy Chicken Riggies, Spicy Chicken Riggies Pasta, Chicken Riggies with Cherry Peppers, Easy Chicken Riggies Recipe, Creamy Spicy Pasta Dish

Gluten-free rigatoni: I love using gluten-free pasta for a lighter take, but any rigatoni works perfectly here.
Olive oil: A good extra-virgin variety gives the base of your sauce a lovely richness.
Boneless skinless chicken thighs: Juicy and forgiving, they stay tender and absorb the sauce flavors wonderfully.
Italian seasoning: Just a pinch amps up the herbaceous notes without overpowering the fresh ingredients.
Red bell pepper: Adds sweetness and crunch — slice them thinly so they cook evenly.
Onion: Diced small, it melts into the sauce adding depth and a bit of natural sweetness.
Garlic: Minced fresh garlic is a must for that punch of aroma and flavor.
Pickled cherry peppers + brine: The spicy heart of this dish — those little peppers add that signature tangy heat.
Fire roasted crushed tomatoes: This gives a smoky background that pairs beautifully with the peppers.
Heavy cream: The silky finish that brings it all together into a luscious sauce.
Grated parmesan cheese and fresh basil (optional): Personal favorites that add brightness and umami on top.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I’ve experimented with a few tweaks over time to make this Spicy Chicken Riggies Pasta Recipe suit different moods and diets, and honestly, it’s pretty forgiving! Feel free to make it your own.

Mild Version: If you’re wary of heat, try using milder pickled peppers or cut back on the amount—your kitchen will still smell incredible!
Veggie-Loaded: I sometimes swap the chicken out for mushrooms or add zucchini for an extra dose of veggies, and it’s just as satisfying.
Dairy-Free Twist: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream, and check your pasta is dairy-free — delicious and allergy-friendly.
Spicy Extra: When I’m craving a real kick, I toss in a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the sauce.

How to Make Spicy Chicken Riggies Pasta Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Pasta Perfectly

First things first, bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your rigatoni and cook according to the package instructions—usually about 8-10 minutes for gluten-free. Drain it well but don’t rinse; you want to keep that starch to help the sauce cling. I like to toss it immediately with a drizzle of olive oil so it doesn’t stick while I finish the sauce.

Step 2: Brown the Chicken

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Meanwhile, generously season your chicken thighs with salt and pepper. Add the chicken pieces to the hot oil, spreading them out so they brown nicely without overcrowding. This step is key — you’ll want about 4-5 minutes until they develop a golden crust but are not fully cooked through yet.

Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables and Peppers

Next, toss in the sliced red bell pepper, diced onions, minced garlic, and those spicy pickled cherry peppers. Stir occasionally as they soften—about 3 to 4 minutes. The aroma here is amazing, so take a deep breath! The cherry peppers release their heat and tang during this step, setting the stage for that signature Spicy Chicken Riggies Pasta Recipe flavor.

Step 4: Build the Creamy Sauce

Pour in the fire-roasted crushed tomatoes along with the heavy cream and the reserved brine from the pickled peppers. Give it a good stir, reduce the heat to low, and let everything simmer gently for 5 to 10 minutes. This is when flavors mingle and deepen, and the sauce thickens just right. Make sure your chicken finishes cooking through at this stage.

Step 5: Toss It All Together

Finally, add your cooked rigatoni into the skillet and stir well, so the pasta is lovingly coated with that creamy, spicy sauce. At this point, if you want to, sprinkle freshly grated parmesan and fresh basil on top for an extra touch of flavor and color. Then serve it hot and enjoy immediately—you’re in for a treat!

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Pro Tips for Making Spicy Chicken Riggies Pasta Recipe

Don’t Skip the Pepper Brine: Adding the reserved brine from the pickled cherry peppers amps up the flavor and tang, creating a perfect balance with the cream.
Chicken Timing: Be careful to brown the chicken first but finish cooking it in the sauce, so it stays juicy instead of drying out.
Simmer, Don’t Boil: Keep the sauce at a gentle simmer to prevent separating the cream and to get that luscious texture.
Use Fresh Basil at the End: Adding it just before serving keeps the bright herbal notes fresh and vibrant.

How to Serve Spicy Chicken Riggies Pasta Recipe

The dish is served in a large white rustic ceramic bowl placed on a white marbled surface with a beige cloth underneath. The bowl is divided into two main layers: on the left side, there is a layer of rigatoni pasta coated in a bright red tomato sauce with visible pieces of red bell pepper and scattered herbs, giving it a slightly chunky and textured look. On the right side, there is a layer of cooked leafy greens mixed with small chunks of pale vegetables, topped with a generous layer of golden-brown toasted breadcrumbs that add a crispy texture. A silver fork rests inside the bowl on the right side. In the background, there is a round black skillet filled with the same breadcrumb-topped greens, a small dark brown bowl of grated cheese, a few slices of yellow pickled peppers, and fresh basil leaves on a wooden board. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Spicy Chicken Riggies, Spicy Chicken Riggies Pasta, Chicken Riggies with Cherry Peppers, Easy Chicken Riggies Recipe, Creamy Spicy Pasta Dish

Garnishes

I love topping mine with a generous sprinkle of grated parmesan—it melts slightly and adds that salty richness each bite needs. Fresh basil leaves scattered on top give a lovely pop of color and freshness. Sometimes I even add a drizzle of good olive oil right before serving to give it an extra silky finish.

Side Dishes

A simple crunchy green salad with a lemon vinaigrette pairs wonderfully, cutting through the richness of the dish. My family also enjoys crusty garlic bread on the side—it’s perfect for sopping up every last bit of that sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I sometimes serve this pasta in individual ramekins, topped with a fresh basil sprig and a Parmesan crisp for that wow factor. Layering the pasta with roasted cherry tomatoes and extra peppers on top also makes it look festive and colorful.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge where they keep beautifully for up to 3 days. Because the sauce is so creamy, it sometimes thickens — which actually makes reheating even better.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this dish a couple of times, and it holds up well! Just be sure to cool it completely, then place in a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stove in a skillet over low-medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth if it seems too thick. This keeps the sauce creamy and the chicken tender instead of rubbery, which can happen in the microwave sometimes.

FAQs

What are riggies, and why are they spicy?

Riggies are a classic pasta dish from Utica, New York, traditionally made with rigatoni tossed in a spicy cream and tomato sauce with chicken and cherry peppers. The spice mainly comes from the pickled cherry peppers which give the dish its signature tangy heat.
Can I make this dish gluten-free?

Absolutely! Using gluten-free rigatoni works perfectly without changing the recipe at all. Just make sure to follow package instructions for cooking times to keep the pasta chewy and not mushy.
What can I substitute if I can’t find pickled cherry peppers?

If you can’t find pickled cherry peppers, you can try pickled banana peppers or even mildly spiced pickled jalapeños, but expect some variation in flavor and heat level. For authenticity, try to source cherry peppers online or at specialty stores.
Is this dish very spicy?

The spice level is moderate, thanks to the pickled cherry peppers. If you prefer less heat, you can reduce the amount of peppers or use milder versions. It’s easily adjustable to your taste!
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Sure! Just swap out the chicken for hearty mushrooms, eggplant, or even tofu. The sauce remains fantastic and full of flavor without the meat.

Final Thoughts

This Spicy Chicken Riggies Pasta Recipe has become a staple in my kitchen because it delivers warmth, spice, and comfort all in one bowl. I love how it transforms simple ingredients into a special meal that feels homemade and impressive at the same time. If you give it a try, I promise you’ll want to make it again and again—maybe even convert a few friends into riggies fans too. Happy cooking!