Description

Chicken Riggies is a flavorful and spicy pasta dish originating from Utica, New York, featuring tender diced chicken thighs, gluten-free rigatoni, colorful bell peppers, pickled cherry peppers, and a rich tomato cream sauce. This comforting meal combines savory and tangy elements with a creamy finish, making it a perfect dinner for pasta lovers seeking a taste of regional American cuisine.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

½ pound gluten-free rigatoni (or your favorite rigatoni)

Protein and Seasoning

1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, diced
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper to taste

Vegetables and Peppers

1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup pickled cherry peppers
2 tablespoons reserved cherry pepper brine

Sauce

2 tablespoons olive oil
14.5 ounces fire roasted crushed tomatoes
½ cup heavy cream

Toppings (Optional)

Grated parmesan cheese
Fresh basil

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Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rigatoni and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Brown the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the diced chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it begins to brown.
Sauté Vegetables and Peppers: Add the sliced red bell pepper, diced onion, pickled cherry peppers, and minced garlic to the skillet with the chicken. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
Add Sauce Ingredients: Pour in the fire roasted crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, and reserved cherry pepper brine. Stir to combine and reduce the heat to low.
Simmer the Sauce: Let the sauce simmer gently for 5-10 minutes until it slightly thickens and the chicken is fully cooked through.
Combine Pasta and Sauce: Stir the cooked rigatoni into the skillet, mixing well to coat the pasta evenly in the creamy tomato sauce with chicken and vegetables.
Serve and Garnish: Serve the Chicken Riggies hot, optionally topped with grated parmesan cheese and fresh basil for added flavor and garnish.

Notes

Chicken Riggies brings a spicy, tangy taste from Utica, New York, combining tender chicken with spicy peppers and a creamy tomato sauce; it’s a must-try for pasta enthusiasts seeking regional American flavors.
You can substitute regular rigatoni if gluten is not a concern.
Adjust the amount of pickled cherry peppers based on your preferred spice level.
Fresh basil and parmesan cheese add nice finishing flavors but can be omitted for dairy-free options.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 543 kcal
Sugar: 13 g
Sodium: 307 mg
Fat: 26 g
Saturated Fat: 9 g
Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
Trans Fat: 0.02 g
Carbohydrates: 45 g
Fiber: 11 g
Protein: 39 g
Cholesterol: 141 mg