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    Home » Main Dish

    Chicken Riggies - creamy, spicy, delicious

    Published: Oct 8, 2014 Last updated: Apr 25, 2022 by Shelby Law Ruttan · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    Creamy Chicken Riggies a Utica, NY specialty, paired with spicy peppers, heavy cream, and cream cheese. Made with dry sherry, it is reminiscent of a vodka cream sauce. An indulgent and comforting pasta recipe!
    Jump to Recipe
    A serving of riggies on a gold rimmed plate.

    Chicken Riggies are a creamy pasta dish made with chicken, tomato sauce, heavy cream and hot chili peppers. It has a touch of white wine to add flavor. This large batch recipe makes a delicious family dinner with a slice of Cheesy Italian Bread.

    The first bite you take of a rigatoni noodle coated in the spicy cream sauce will be like heaven on your tongue. Chicken riggies are a creamy, toothsome, spicy chicken pasta dish that brings comfort and happiness to all who eat it!

    Creamy Chicken Riggies in a big stock pot
    Jump to Recipe

    The origin of this pasta recipe

    Chicken Riggies is an Italian-American recipe that originated in Utica, New York. That is about the extent that is known of this dish. Utica has a high population of Italian heritage, and while there is no name actually attached to this recipe, it has the flavors of a true Italian-American dish.

    A serving of riggies on a gold rimmed plate.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases from affiliate links.

    What you need to make Chicken Riggies

    Pasta: Rigatoni is a tube shaped pasta with ridges along the sides. There are a small rigatoni and a regular sized rigatoni. You can use whichever size you prefer.

    Chicken: I used boneless skinless chicken breast that I cut into cubes before marinating.

    Minced Garlic: its fine to mince your own, or to buy prepared minced garlic.

    Bell Peppers: I used 1 green and 1 red pepper, but if you have a preference for one over the other, use both of the same type.

    Hot Cherry Peppers: These peppers are very hot if eaten on their own. However, once they are in the sauce portion of this recipe, they give a very comforting spicy kick without overdoing it.

    Heavy Cream: This is what gives the chicken riggies their rich creamy feeling. It adds something to the dish you cannot get without it.

    Tomato Sauce: The only tomato going in this recipe. I prefer to buy a tomato sauce that has no added salt.

    Cream Cheese: This helps the sauce to thicken as it simmers.

    Cooking Sherry or white wine such as Chardonnay: I have use both and they both bring out the same result.

    Large Pot and Sheet Pan

    Creamy Chicken Riggies pinnable image

    Tips for making chicken riggies

    • This recipe calls for you to roast the peppers first. I love the flavor this brought to the chicken riggies and highly recommend you don't skip roasting the peppers.
    • Once the peppers are roasted, place them in a sealed baggie immediately. This will allow the steam to release the pepper skin, making it easier to remove the skins.
    • Make sure to marinate the chicken for at least the 1 hour indicated or longer.
    • Reduce extra dirty dishes by cooking the riggies first, then drain and set aside. Use the same stock pot you cooked the pasta in to prepare the chicken and sauce ingredients.

    Make this recipe your way

    • Substitute 2 pickled hot cherry peppers for the roasted hot pepper. Or, substitute 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes for the cherry peppers.
    • Substitute the sherry or wine for chicken broth.
    • Use 1 can of crushed tomatoes in place of 1 can of tomato sauce
    • Substitute 3 cups of pasta sauce for the tomato sauce

    Other pasta recipes you may enjoy

    Bachelor's Pasta is Grumpy's budget friendly fill you up when you're hungry and easy to make recipe.

    Cheesy Orzo Pasta with Basil a delicious pasta side dish that goes great with any grilled protein.

    Cheesy Penne Chicken Pasta a casserole that the whole family will love, creamy sauce baked with penne pasta and cheese.

    Shrimp with Spinach and Pasta is a lower carb shrimp pasta dish.

    Chicken Parmesan Casserole a kid friendly and super easy recipe to make for the entire family.

    Spaghetti Pie is a long time favorite of ours. Layers of pasta, cheese, and meat sauce bake all in one dish.

    Try this spicy pasta dish for Shrimp Fra Diavolo, packed with smoky spicy flavors.

    If you made this recipe for Chicken Riggies, please give it a star rating

    A serving of riggies on a gold rimmed plate.

    Creamy Chicken Riggies

    Shelby Law Ruttan
    Creamy Chicken Riggies a Utica, NY specialty, paired with spicy peppers, heavy cream, and cream cheese. Made with dry sherry, it is reminiscent of a vodka cream sauce. An indulgent and comforting pasta recipe!
    4.67 from 12 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Go to Collections
    Prep Time 1 hr 30 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 2 hrs
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Italian
    Servings 12
    Calories 433 kcal

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Ingredients
      

    Marinade Ingredients:

    • 1//2 cup dry sherry
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 3 large cloves minced garlic
    • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts cubed

    Sauce Ingredients:

    • 1 medium red bell pepper roasted
    • 1 medium green bell pepper roasted
    • 1 cherry peppers roasted
    • 1 small onion chopped
    • 8 oz rigatoni cooked according to package
    • 2 15 oz cans tomato sauce
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon pepper
    • 1 cup heavy cream
    • 4 oz cream cheese
    • ½ cup dry sherry
    • ½ cup water

    Instructions
     

    • Mix together ½ cup sherry, garlic, and oregano. Place chopped chicken in Ziploc bag and pour marinade over top. Refrigerate at least 1 hour.
    • Place peppers on a large baking sheet lined with tinfoil. Spray peppers with cooking spray and place under broiler on high. Roast peppers until they begin to char. Turn peppers over and continue to roast until charred. Remove from oven and immediately place in a Ziploc bag. Let cool.
    • Heat large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to hot skillet. Remove chicken from marinade and add with onion to skillet and cook until no longer pink.
    • In a large stock pot, while chicken is cooking, cook your macaroni according to directions. Drain and place back in stockpot.
    • Remove peppers from Ziploc bag and remove skin and seeds. Slice peppers into bite sized strips.
    • Add peppers to chicken mixture along with tomato sauce, sherry, water, salt and pepper.
    • In a small saucepan over low heat, combine heavy cream and cream cheese and simmer and stir until cream cheese has melted into cream.
    • Add heavy cream mixture to chicken mixture and stir to combine well.
    • Pour chicken mixture over top of rigatoni and toss to coat. Serve.

    Notes

    Fat 18g, Carbs 48g, Fiber 5g, Protein 23g
    Nutrition information calculated using myfitnesspal is provided as a courtesy, but will vary depending on the specific brands of ingredients you use. Please consult with your doctor regarding specific health needs.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 433kcal
    Keyword chicken, comfort food, heavy cream, Pasta, Rachel Ray, regional recipe, riggies, sherry, spicy
    Tried this recipe?Mention @grumpyshoneybunch or tag #grumpyshoneybunch!

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    About Shelby Law Ruttan

    Shelby is the author/owner of Grumpy's Honeybunch. Established in 2007, she shares and preserves family recipes as well as recipes for cooking light and keto. She has authored the One-Pot Paleo Cookbook and The Pescatarian Keto Cookbook. She is an experienced, self-taught home cook who loves to share recipes with others. She also authors the websites Honeybunch Hunts and The Best Vegetarian Recipes. You can see her work on websites such as Veal Made Easy, Parade, Community Table, SoFab Food, Yummly, and FoodGawker.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mila Furman

      October 17, 2014 at 1:40 pm

      This looks really really great! Thanks for linking up with us at #foodiefridays!

      Reply
    2. Michelle Nahom

      October 13, 2014 at 12:46 am

      I thought I had commented...did I comment on Facebook maybe? I was just swinging back by to schedule a tweet. This looks so good!! Definitely want to try it! I'm so glad you linked it up with us...we are happy to have you join us at #FoodieFridays!

      Reply
    3. Christie Campbell

      October 12, 2014 at 10:40 am

      This looks fabulous!! I love the creaminess of the sauce and the rigatoni. YUM! Thank you for linking up with #FoodieFridays!!

      Reply
    4. R Yerkes

      October 10, 2014 at 4:41 am

      I love any recipe with cream and cream cheese in it! Haha this looks like something I would lick the plate clean for!

      Reply
    5. Tammy Northrup

      October 09, 2014 at 11:39 pm

      Calories schmalories! This looks amazing and worth every last one.

      Reply
    6. Life Tastes Good

      October 09, 2014 at 10:17 pm

      I have never even heard of this dish before! It sounds amazing and your pics are making me drool. I love creamy sauces, so this one is a must try for me! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    7. Kristin @ Dizzy Busy and Hungry!

      October 09, 2014 at 8:22 pm

      This is definitely worth a splurge now and then! It looks delicious!

      Reply
    8. Sandra Shaffer

      October 09, 2014 at 1:25 am

      Mmmm, that sauce sound delicious! I'm good with the cream every so often! My family will love this one! Thanks!!

      Reply
    9. Catherine

      October 09, 2014 at 12:52 am

      Looks wonderful; comforting and delicious. Blessings, Catherine

      Reply
    10. Mary Ellen

      October 09, 2014 at 12:48 am

      This looks amazing! I love the way the sauce looks, love that there is cream cheese in with the heavy cream. Perfect!

      Reply
    11. marye

      October 08, 2014 at 6:50 pm

      I love pasta... this looks yummy!

      Reply
    12. Renee Paj

      October 08, 2014 at 6:47 pm

      OMG...this will be made in my household. Always up for a good pasta recipe!

      Reply
    13. honeyb

      October 08, 2014 at 6:06 pm

      Definitely sounds good and like everyone here would like it--hello--cream! 😉

      Reply
    14. Carrie R

      October 08, 2014 at 4:24 pm

      Lol! I have never heard of them referred to as "riggies" before, but is definitely a cute name for them. 😉 And I love the sauce for these!

      Reply
    15. The Food Hunter

      October 08, 2014 at 3:28 pm

      this looks amazing and sounds dreamy. I can't wait to try it

      Reply
    16. Rachelle Shockey

      October 08, 2014 at 2:09 pm

      This sounds great Shelby! May have to try this soon!

      Reply
    17. Linda Mire

      October 08, 2014 at 11:47 am

      Sounds so good and looks so inviting!

      Reply
    18. claudia lamascolo

      October 08, 2014 at 11:37 am

      nice job! These look perfect as I remember them in Utica!

      Reply
    19. RJ Flamingo

      October 08, 2014 at 11:31 am

      Oh, there's some serious YUM going on here! <3

      Reply
    20. Sherri Jo

      October 08, 2014 at 9:39 am

      I'd never heard of this until you mentioned it the other day... and now I want to make it. Sounds like something I and the kids would LOVE! Thank you for posting this <3

      Reply
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    Welcome! I'm Shelby Law Ruttan, author and content creator at Grumpy's Honeybunch. She is self taught in the kitchen and has been sharing keto low carb recipes and family recipes since 2007.

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