Check this out – rigatoni, coupled with tender chicken and spicy red peppers, drenched in a creamy marinara sauce. Chicken Riggies: a family-favorite!
The only thing more enchanting to come out of Utica, NY, than Chicken Riggies, is my hubby. Little did I know that marrying this guy meant receiving a delicious lineage of food that is pretty famous…Chicken Riggies, Utica Greens, Tomato Pie – fabulous Italian fare…not to mention the incredible Lebanese cuisine that makes its way out of busy kitchens in this little Upstate town.
Like my hubby, this dish has made its way out of Utica. There are homes and restaurants far and wide that have their version of Chicken Riggies. And although the original recipe includes chicken, peppers, wine, marinara and cheese, I’ve seen (and enjoyed) adaptations which include heavy cream, olives, escarole, mushrooms, cream cheese and breaded chicken. All great, but there’s one that resonates most with us.
There’s a local joint that serves up some amazing riggies; it is by far our go-to dish. If it’s Antonio’s that we’re ordering, 9 out of 10 times, it’s chicken riggies that we’re eating.
It is theirs that I’ve tried to emulate.
INGREDIENTS:
- olive oil
- skinless, boneless chicken breast (or chicken thighs)
- butter
- sweet onion
- fresh garlic
- hot Italian red peppers
- green and red hot cherry peppers (or sweet peppers depending on your preference) I use a mix of both.
- crushed tomatoes
- heavy cream
- salt and pepper
- rigatoni
- grated Romano cheese
With Chels heading to California, and Nick beginning his junior year, with a move into his first off-campus house with four buddies, it was time to employ: Operation Make the Kids’ Favorite Dishes the Week Leading Up To Their Departure.
Chicken Riggies made the cut. Delectable and warming – it ticks all the right boxes, as evidenced by this…
While stirring the sauce – mouthwatering sauce, brimming with bite-sized pieces of tender chicken, and bits of spicy Italian red and cherry peppers, Nick joined me at the stove.
He proceeded to grab a spoonful, and upon sampling, declared, “I want this recipe, I’d like to make it at the house.”
“Ummmmmmm – What?! You want the recipe?” I ask.
“Yeah, I’d like to make it for the guys.”
My son wants to clean chicken, chop peppers, make a cream-based sauce, and cook pasta al dente, while studying finance.
My youngest wants the recipe for Chicken Riggies.
This. Is. A. Day. For. Mama. Mark it! (Okay – you don’t need to mark it, I will.)
As I was crying happy tears (on the inside) and doing a happy dance (behind the counter), I told my boy the recipe would be on the blog…
Here you go, Buddy! XOXOXOXO
And here YOU go!
Buon Appetito!
MORE COMFORT COMING ATCHA:
Farro Salad with Roasted Pumpkin & Toasted Pine Nuts
Stuffed Bell Peppers with Mini Meatballs & Fontina Cheese
Chicken Riggies
- Category: Dinner
Description
Check this out – rigatoni coupled with tender chicken and spicy red peppers, drenched in a creamy marinara sauce. Chicken Riggies: a family-favorite!
Ingredients
- 4 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 lbs. skinless, boneless chicken breast (or chicken thighs)
- 2 Tbsp. butter
- 1 large sweet onion
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 hot Italian red peppers, seeded and chopped
- 12 oz. green and red hot cherry peppers, drained and sliced (or sweet peppers, depending on your preference)
- 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 lb. rigatoni
- Grated Romano cheese
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper and cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook until lightly browned on all sides and no longer pink in the center, about 8 minutes.
- Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
- In the same pan, melt butter and add the onion, garlic and chopped Italian pepper. Cook and stir until onions are just soft, 4 – 5 minutes.
- Add the sliced cherry peppers and can of crushed tomatoes.
- Bring to a simmer, then stir in the heavy cream and cooked chicken.
- Add salt and pepper to taste.
- In the meantime, in a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the rigatoni according to package directions, until al dente.
- Drain and toss with sauce.
- Sprinkle with Romano cheese.
- Serve warm.
Notes
You can substitute chicken thighs for the chicken breast, and Parmesan for the Romano cheese.
Ciao!
This post was originally published here August 22, 2015. The recipe and story remain the same, but I’ve since updated the photographs and text slightly.
Annie, this looks so comforting!! My husband is a big fan of pink sauce so I need to try your recipe soon. Pinning!
I think you guys will really enjoy it! Thanks, dear! And thanks for the pin!
Everyone will love him when he makes this, it looks so good! I love creamy tomato sauces and the spicy element has me intrigued. 🙂
Hahaha! They will! Aren’t creamy tomato sauces the best?! Try the spicy…I’d love to know what you think! Thanks, Kari!
You’re a wonderful mom, Annie 🙂 I’m a firm believer that home cooked foods feed the soul – and I can tell with the dishes that you prepare for your family, that you feel the same way. This is such a wonderful bowl of comfort food and such a cute story. You should be a proud momma! 🙂
Thank you so much, Kathleen. You’re so sweet. These past few years with the kids each making their way give us so much to be proud of. It’s an exciting and emotional time…
I have a friend who is from Rome and told me about the chicken riggies, but I’ve never had it. I’m sure Nick will wow his friends in his big boy off-campus place with his mama’s recipe! Good luck to all your babies flying the coop and hugs to you, friend. It’s hard at first, but then you kind of get used to the empty nest. You’ll always miss your babies, but you’re also so proud of the awesome people they’ve become. And you can have date night every night! 🙂
You’ve hit every nail on the head, my friend! Thank you for your sweet words…I appreciate them, big time! xo
Oh my gosh!! I need this. I am writing this down for my menu next week. It. looks. SO GOOD!!!!!
Yay! I’d love to know what you think! Thanks, Annie!
I never realized how hard my mom worked to cook delicious food until I started asking her for her recipes. This looks perfect for a family, very hearty and flavourful!
This is comfort food at its finest! Always a fave! Thank you, dear!
I’m embarrassed to say it took me a bit to figure out what “Riggies” are, lol. This sounds so good! I love that your son wants to make this for his friends. That’s why we blog, right? Thinking of you and sending hugs and support.
That’s exactly why we do it! Thanks, friend! I’m thinking of you also!
Rigatoni is one of my fave pastas! I love that your youngest asked for the recipe! big score! that’s so awesome! i can;t wait for the day that my kids will be asking for recipes and cooking! this dish is gorgeous!
Thanks, Alice! I know – rigatoni has always been one of my faves too! Ohhh – your girls will be asking – no doubt! 🙂
Wow. It’s so emotional when your kids love your food. But when they want the recipe, too. Dang, girl, that is rewarding! And I don’t blame your son. This looks like pasta perfection!
It really is! I felt like…what do I do now? Is my job here, done? Hhahah! (Such melodrama!) Thank you, friend!
This sounds great, my boy could live on pasta, I think this is dinner tonight! I love the hot pepper addition. I’ve made similar but I have to try this sauce, sounds delicious!!!
So if your boy doesn’t mind a little bit of spice, I think he’ll really like this! Thanks, friend!
BTW you’re a really good mom. 🙂
Oh my…thank you so much. You are so sweet! 🙂
Looks and sounds like a perfect comfort food dinner to me. Too bad I got something in the oven as I read this, BUT there is always tomorrow Annie. Do you have a picture or link to the hot Italian red pepper? Not sure what that one is actually, got some red hot cherry peppers in the pantry so I’m good to go!
Oh yesss, comfort all the way! Oooh – would love to know what you’ve got cookin’! Here’s a link to the red pepper – perhaps I should have called it by its Italian name – peperoncino…that may have made a difference. If you have the chance to make it – I’d love to know what you think! Thanks, friend!
Yum! What a delicious meal, Annie! This definitely looks like the perfect comfort food. Love it!
Thank you, Gayle! 🙂
This looks amazing!
Thanks, dear! 🙂
Aaaw that is so sweet that he wanted the recipe 🙂 I mean why wouldn’t he though? It looks crazy delicious! Good luck as you send your sweeties off to school. I am already nervous about my oldest starting kindergarten so I know it will be so tough for me the day he leaves for college too. *hugs*
Awhhh! First day of kindergarten – that’s a grand day! Thanks for stopping by, my friend! Good luck with your son’s first day!xo
That has to be delicious! I don’t incorporate often hot peppers in pasta sauces, but bell peppers would work well for me as well. Nicely done, Annie!
It really is one of my faves! Yep – bell peppers will work just fine! So yummy! Thanks, friend! 🙂
I LOVE this post, Annie! Your first line is precious and the way you always talk so lovingly about your family simply warms my heart! (<– also makes me wonder if your up to adopt a 32 year old daughter. Wink wink) I have heard of Chicken Riggies before, but I have never had the dish! I'm super excited to try this! Looks and sounds wonderfully flavorful and very comforting! Love it! Pinned! Cheers mama bear! <3
I hope you have the chance to try them – I think you’ll love this dish! Thanks for your sweet words, my friend! And of course! We would love to welcome you into the fold…hahah! 😉 Cheers, sweetie!
Aww love that! So cute that your son asked for the recipe…guess he’ll be craving a bit of your home cooking while at school!
I know, right?! I love that too! Thanks, friend!
Love the story Annie! And this pasta looks awesome! Need to make some chicken riggies!
Make some chicken riggies, Mira! You’ll love ’em! Thanks, friend! 🙂
This looks awesome! So creamy and cheesy- and how CUTE was this post?! The first line killed me and props to your son for getting his chef game on while studying, too 🙂
Thanks, my dear! You betcha…he’ll have a taste of something you’ve become pro at! Have a happy weekend! 🙂