Classic Chicken Riggies – An Upstate NY Favorite

I really hope chicken riggies aren’t something the rest of the world hasn’t enjoyed yet (and if they are… let’s fix that immediately!). When I think about building layers of flavor, I think chicken riggies: the combination of the spicy cubanelle peppers and the sweetness of the roasted red peppers gets me every time. It’s the perfect, soul-satisfying weeknight dinner that comes together with pantry staples and a couple of well-planned additions to my weekly grocery list. (I rarely have hot peppers in my veggie bin or heavy cream in my fridge.)

Classic Chicken Riggies

Creamy, spicy Chicken Riggies! Tender chicken, cubanelle peppers, roasted red peppers, and a silky tomato-cream sauce. A comforting Upstate NY pasta favorite you’ll want on repeat no matter where you live.

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Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4 people

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound Rigatoni pasta
• I pound boneless skinless chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 1 onion sliced
• 2 cubanelle peppers seeded & sliced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 3 roasted red peppers drained & chopped
• ½ cup heavy cream
• ½ cup Parmesan

Let’s Cook!

 

• Cook rigatoni according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
• Heat a little olive oil in a large skillet. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook until lightly browned. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
• In the same skillet, add the onion, cubanelle peppers, and garlic. Cook until the onion is softened.
• Add the crushed tomatoes and the chopped roasted red peppers. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
• Stir the cooked chicken back into the skillet. Add the heavy cream and let everything simmer together for 2–3 minutes.
• Stir in the cooked rigatoni until everything is coated and heated through.
• Top with Parmesan cheese.
• Serve (and enjoy!)

Notes

One lesson I’ve learned over the years is to wear gloves when working with any kind of spicy peppers (one benefit of the pandemic is it seems I now have a never-ending supply of disposable gloves!)

Keyword chicken, creamy, Dinner, entertaining, pasta, peppers, regional, spicy, tomatoes

Simple, flavorful, hearty — it’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or a casual dinner party. In the name of Upstate New York, please make and share this dish widely!

What’s your local favorite that deserves its moment in the spotlight? Let me know so we can all try it too.

Eat well friends!

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