For those who love a bowl of creamy pasta with barely any washing up, this one pot rigatoni Alfredo with hen and kale is the ticket. Tender hen, cavolo nero and rigatoni simmer collectively in a garlicky, creamy Parmesan sauce that adheres to each ridge of the pasta. And don’t neglect to scroll down for the video of the recipe.
Nicky’s Notes
That is my weeknight sanity-saver, refined after a number of exams to ensure a silky sauce, tender hen and al dente pasta each time. I exploit a big, deep sauté pan so the pasta cooks evenly, and the timings under are those that repeatedly delivered constant, dependable leads to my kitchen.
What makes this pasta dish soo good:
- One-pan starch magic: cooking the pasta in milk/inventory releases starch that naturally thickens the Alfredo – no flour wanted.
- Correct flavour layering: browning the hen first, then softening onion and garlic within the tasty fond, provides depth with out further steps.
- Cavolo nero = texture: sturdy greens add color and chunk so the dish doesn’t really feel heavy.
- Household-proofed timing: it reliably hits the desk in about half-hour, begin to end.
📋 Substances for Rigatoni Alfredo
***Full recipe with detailed portions within the recipe card under***
Observe on the kale
I select cavolo nero right here as a result of it retains its texture in creamy, one-pot sauces. It’s milder/much less bitter than curly kale, so that you get pretty savoury ribbons that don’t drown the Alfredo.
Ingredient Swaps and Substitutions
- Hen: swap for skinless boneless thighs or leftover roast hen (stir by way of with the kale to heat).
- Pasta: penne, ziti or fusilli additionally work; alter simmer time to al dente.
- Greens: curly kale or spinach (spinach wilts in seconds). Peas or tenderstem broccoli are pretty add-ins.
- Cheese: Pecorino Romano brings a saltier punch; use half-and-half with Parmesan.
Abbreviated Recipe
***Full recipe with detailed steps within the recipe card under***
Brown the seasoned hen in a big deep frying pan, then take away. Soften the onion and garlic within the tasty bits left behind, add the rigatoni with inventory and milk. Place a lid on and let it gently simmer till the pasta is simply al dente. Stir by way of cream and Parmesan for that silky Alfredo end. Then fold within the kale and the cooked hen and let all of it warmth by way of till the greens wilt. Then serve!
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What Is Alfredo? (And How This Model Differs)
Alfredo does hint again to Rome: in 1914, restaurateur Alfredo Di Lelio created fettuccine tossed merely with butter and Parmesan for his pregnant spouse. No garlic, no cream—simply silky pasta and cheese. Over time, the Italian-American model added cream and extras, and that’s the lane I’m in right here.
My one-pot rigatoni Alfredo with hen and cavolo nero leans into weeknight practicality—creamy, garlicky, hearty—whereas holding the spirit of consolation at its core.
Recipe Ideas
- If the alfredo sauce begins to seem like it’s going to separate throughout cooking then don’t fear, you may take away the lid, give it a stir and it ought to come again collectively.
Ridged rigatoni coated in a shiny, garlicky Parmesan sauce with juicy bites of hen and savoury ribbons of cavolo nero. Creamy, comforting and correctly satisfying dinner that everybody loves.
🍽️ What to serve it with
This one pot hen alfredo is a meal in itself. I prefer to put in on the desk with a sprinkle of additional Parmesan, some garlic bread and let everybody dig in. Listed below are some extra serving concepts:
📺 Watch the way to make it
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Warmth the oil in a big frying pan (skillet) on a medium warmth. Add the hen, together with the salt and pepper. Prepare dinner for approx 5-6 minutes, turning often till browned and simply cooked by way of.
2 tbsp oil, 3 hen breasts, 1/4 tsp every of salt and pepper
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Take away from the pan with a slotted spoon and place in a bowl. Cowl with foil to maintain heat.
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Add the chopped onions to the pan and fry gently for a few minutes till the onions begin to go translucent.
1 small onion
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Add within the garlic, stir and cook dinner for 30 seconds.
3 cloves garlic
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Then add within the pasta, inventory and milk. Carry to a simmer, stir, then cowl with a lid or foil. Flip down the warmth and cook dinner gently for 10-12 minutes till the pasta is simply al dente.
250 g (7 oz) dried rigatoni pasta, 160 ml (2/3 cup) do-it-yourself or good high quality hen inventory, 480 ml (2 cups) complete/full-fat milk
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Take away the foil/lid and stir within the cream and Parmesan. Add the kale and hen, cowl once more and cook dinner for an additional 2-3 minutes till the kale has wilted and the hen has heated by way of.
120 ml (1/2 cup) double (heavy) cream, 75 g (3/4 cup) Parmesan, 70 g (2.5 oz) Cavolo Nero kale
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Serve sprinkled with parmesan a pinch of black pepper and contemporary parsley.
pinch black pepper, 2 tbsp chopped parsley, 2 tbsp Parmesan
How do I cease the sauce from splitting?
Mild warmth, and add cream and Parmesan for the final couple of minutes to softly warmth by way of helps offer you that scrumptious creamy shiny sauce. If it appears to be like shaky, uncover and stir – it ought to come again collectively.
If the sauce begins to seem like it’s going to separate throughout step 5 then don’t fear, you may take away the lid, give it a stir and it ought to come again collectively.
Are you able to make it forward?
I feel this tastes finest when made and served instantly. That’s while you’re going to get the creamiest sauce.
Reheating pasta in a creamy sauce can generally trigger any oils within the sauce to separate, resulting in a barely extra oily, reasonably than creamy style.
Nonetheless! you may liven it up once more on reheating, by including in an additional splash of cream and an additional sprinkling of parmesan.
If you’re seeking to make forward, or reheat leftovers, then make the dish, rapidly cool, cowl and refrigerate.
Are you able to freeze it?
I don’t suggest freezing creamy one-pot pasta dishes because the sauce can cut up and the pasta tends to melt an excessive amount of and go mushy.
Reheat (with further cream and parmesan) in a microwave for 3-4 minutes, or in a lidded saucepan, over a low warmth, for about 6-7 minutes, till the hen and pasta are piping scorching all through. You’ll have to stir a few occasions throughout reheating too.
Dietary Info is per serving.
Energy: 684kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 46g | Fats: 31g | Saturated Fats: 14g | Ldl cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 759mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 9g
Diet info is routinely calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.
This one pot rigatoni alfredo recipe was first posted in Sept 2017. Up to date with new images, recipe enhancements and with extra info in Oct 2025.
🍲 Extra one pot pasta recipes
For those who’re a fan of one-pot meals attempt these subsequent:
A number of the hyperlinks on this submit could also be affiliate hyperlinks – which suggests if you happen to purchase the product I get a small fee (at no further value to you). For those who do purchase, then thanks! That’s what helps us to maintain Kitchen Sanctuary working. The dietary info supplied is approximate and might differ relying on a number of elements. For extra info please see our Phrases & Situations.
