Prepare to embark on a culinary journey that will transform your ordinary dinner into an extraordinary gastronomic experience! This mouthwatering Creamy Fontina Rigatoni with Pulled Chicken is not just a meal—it's a symphony of flavors that will make your taste buds dance with joy. Imagine tender rigatoni enveloped in a luxurious fontina cheese sauce, studded with golden roasted portobello mushrooms and caramelized garlic, topped with succulent pulled chicken that melts in your mouth. Get ready to elevate your home cooking and impress everyone at the dinner table with this irresistible Italian-inspired masterpiece!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound rigatoni
- 1 cup fontina cheese, shredded
- 2 cups roasted garlic
- 1 cup portobello mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cups pulled chicken
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (218°C). Prepare a large baking sheet with parchment paper for roasting mushrooms and garlic.
- Slice portobello mushrooms into even, 1/4-inch thick strips. Spread them on the prepared baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
- Separate whole garlic cloves from the head, keeping the skin on. Place garlic cloves on the same baking sheet as mushrooms. Roast in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until mushrooms are golden and garlic is soft and caramelized.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rigatoni and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- While pasta cooks, shred the pulled chicken and set aside. Remove roasted garlic from oven and carefully peel off the skin.
- In a large skillet, combine cooked rigatoni, pulled chicken, roasted portobello mushrooms, and roasted garlic cloves. Stir gently to combine.
- Add shredded fontina cheese to the skillet, stirring continuously. If the mixture seems dry, gradually add reserved pasta water to create a creamy consistency.
- Season with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Ensure cheese is fully melted and ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Transfer to serving plates, garnish with fresh parsley or additional fontina cheese if desired. Serve hot and enjoy immediately.
Tips
- Roasting Game-Changer: Don't rush the roasting process for garlic and mushrooms. The caramelization develops deep, complex flavors that are crucial to this dish's success.
- Pasta Water Magic: Always reserve some pasta water before draining. The starchy liquid helps create a silky, creamy sauce and helps the cheese blend smoothly.
- Cheese Selection: Use high-quality fontina for the best melting properties and richest flavor. If unavailable, mild provolone can be a good substitute.
- Chicken Prep Tip: For extra tenderness, use slow-cooked or rotisserie pulled chicken to ensure maximum moisture and flavor.
- Temperature Control: When adding cheese, use low heat and stir continuously to prevent clumping and achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve immediately while the cheese is still hot and stretchy for the most indulgent experience.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 620kcal
Carbohydrates: 65g
Protein: 38g
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Cholesterol: 110mg
