Name: Spicy Chicken Riggies Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American (Upstate New York)
Ingredients: ½ pound gluten-free rigatoni (or your favorite rigatoni); 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs (diced); ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1 red bell pepper (sliced); 1 onion (diced); 3 cloves garlic (minced); ¼ cup pickled cherry peppers + 2 tablespoons reserved brine; 14.5 ounces fire roasted crushed tomatoes; ½ cup heavy cream; Grated parmesan cheese; Fresh basil

If you’re craving a dish that’s bursting with bold flavors, hearty textures, and just the right amount of heat, then you’re in for a treat with this Spicy Chicken Riggies Recipe. This recipe captures the rustic charm of upstate New York’s beloved Chicken Riggies—tender chicken simmered in a spicy, creamy tomato sauce, tossed with rigatoni pasta. I absolutely love how this turns out every time; it’s comfort food that feels special, perfect for dinner any night of the week. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through exactly how to nail this at home with insider tips to make it totally foolproof.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Bold Yet Balanced Flavors: The mix of pickled cherry peppers and fire roasted tomatoes creates a spicy, tangy sauce that’s creamy without being heavy.
Simple Ingredients, Impressive Results: You probably already have most of these staples, and it all comes together in about 30 minutes.
Family Favorite: Once I made this for my family, it became an instant request for weeknight meals.
Customizable Heat Level: You can dial up or down the spice depending on your taste, making it friendly for everyone.

A white plate sits on a wooden board atop a white marbled surface, filled with a serving of rigatoni pasta covered in thick red tomato sauce mixed with pieces of mushrooms and green spinach leaves. The pasta is topped with a light sprinkle of grated cheese and a silver fork rests beside the pasta on the plate’s right side. In the background, there is a small brown bowl filled with grated cheese and fresh green basil leaves nearby, with a blue and white striped cloth partially visible on the left side. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Spicy Chicken Riggies, Chicken Riggies recipe, upstate New York pasta, spicy chicken pasta, crowd-pleasing rigatoni dish

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Spicy Chicken Riggies Recipe starts with fresh, vibrant ingredients that come together beautifully. Choosing the right components, like fire roasted tomatoes and pickled cherry peppers, really sets this dish apart from your average pasta.

Flat lay of a small pile of uncooked rigatoni pasta with ridges, a few raw boneless skinless chicken thighs diced into cubes, a whole red bell pepper sliced into strips, a diced white onion, three peeled garlic cloves chopped finely, a small white ceramic bowl with bright red pickled cherry peppers, another small white bowl filled with a creamy off-white liquid representing heavy cream, a small white bowl containing fire-roasted crushed tomatoes with visible charred bits, a small white bowl holding golden olive oil, a few fresh bright green basil leaves scattered, and a small mound of finely grated pale yellow parmesan cheese, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997 - Spicy Chicken Riggies, Chicken Riggies recipe, upstate New York pasta, spicy chicken pasta, crowd-pleasing rigatoni dish

Gluten-free rigatoni: I often opt for gluten-free to keep it light and accessible, but regular rigatoni works perfectly too.
Olive oil: Use good quality extra virgin olive oil – it adds depth and richness to the sauce.
Boneless skinless chicken thighs: These stay juicy and tender compared to breast meat, which sometimes dries out.
Italian seasoning: A simple blend that adds a lovely herbaceous touch without overpowering the peppers’ heat.
Red bell pepper: Adds sweetness and crunch for balance against the spicy cherry peppers.
Onion: I prefer yellow onions for their natural sweetness—diced small so they melt into the sauce nicely.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic is a must to elevate the overall flavor profile.
Pickled cherry peppers + brine: This ingredient is the star of the show. Don’t skip the brine—it adds bright, tangy heat that makes this dish unique.
Fire roasted crushed tomatoes: The smoky flavor complements the peppers perfectly, giving the sauce that comforting, layered taste.
Heavy cream: A splash of cream softens the spice and brings everything together into a luscious sauce.
Grated parmesan cheese and fresh basil (optional): These toppings add freshness and a salty kick that I always recommend trying.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love making this Spicy Chicken Riggies Recipe my own by tweaking it based on what I have at home or what my family’s in the mood for. Feel free to switch up the protein or play with the heat levels—it’s all about making it suit your taste buds!

Protein swap: Sometimes I swap chicken thighs for turkey or even Italian sausage for a different spin, and it works great!
Mild version: If you’re cooking for kids or a sensitive palate, reduce or omit the cherry peppers but keep some of the brine for flavor.
Vegetarian option: Leave out the chicken and add mushrooms or zucchini to keep the dish hearty and satisfying.
Spice it up: Adding crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce amps up the heat if you’re craving a bolder kick.

How to Make Spicy Chicken Riggies Recipe

Step 1: Boil the Perfect Pasta

Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. I like to use plenty of salt here because it seasons the pasta as it cooks. Add your rigatoni and cook it just until al dente, according to package instructions—usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain, but reserve a little pasta water if you want to loosen your sauce later. This step ensures your pasta has the perfect bite and holds up well when tossed in the sauce.

Step 2: Cook and Season the Chicken

While the pasta’s cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season your diced chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper—don’t be shy here, that seasoning really builds flavor. Add the chicken to the pan and cook for about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it starts to brown but isn’t fully cooked yet. You want that nice caramelization for taste and texture.

Step 3: Sauté the Veggies and Peppers

Next, toss in your sliced red bell pepper, diced onion, minced garlic, and chopped pickled cherry peppers. I discovered this trick when I found that sautéing them together lets the flavors mingle and the veggies soften just enough without going mushy—usually about 3-4 minutes. Stir occasionally so nothing sticks or burns.

Step 4: Simmer the Sauce to Perfection

Now, add in the fire roasted crushed tomatoes, heavy cream, and don’t forget those 2 tablespoons of reserved cherry pepper brine—that little bit of tang is what sets this sauce apart. Lower the heat to a gentle simmer and let it all cook together for 5-10 minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly and the chicken is cooked through. Stir occasionally to keep everything combined.

Step 5: Toss and Serve

Finally, stir the cooked rigatoni into the sauce, making sure every piece is coated with that creamy, spicy goodness. This is the moment when everything really comes together. I like to sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil on top right before serving—it adds a fresh, salty punch that finishes the dish beautifully.

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Pro Tips for Making Spicy Chicken Riggies Recipe

Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Leaving the chicken slightly undercooked before simmering in the sauce avoids dry chunks and lets the flavors seep in.
Reserve Pasta Water: Having a bit of pasta water on hand lets you adjust sauce consistency perfectly if it feels too thick.
Use the Pepper Brine: That extra brine adds a surprising depth and brightness—trust me, it’s worth including!
Timing the Veggies: Add the garlic last when sautéing veggies to prevent it from burning and becoming bitter.

How to Serve Spicy Chicken Riggies Recipe

The dish is served in a large white rustic ceramic bowl placed on a white marbled surface with a beige cloth underneath. The bowl is divided into two main layers: on the left side, there is a layer of rigatoni pasta coated in a bright red tomato sauce with visible pieces of red bell pepper and scattered herbs, giving it a slightly chunky and textured look. On the right side, there is a layer of cooked leafy greens mixed with small chunks of pale vegetables, topped with a generous layer of golden-brown toasted breadcrumbs that add a crispy texture. A silver fork rests inside the bowl on the right side. In the background, there is a round black skillet filled with the same breadcrumb-topped greens, a small dark brown bowl of grated cheese, a few slices of yellow pickled peppers, and fresh basil leaves on a wooden board. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Spicy Chicken Riggies, Chicken Riggies recipe, upstate New York pasta, spicy chicken pasta, crowd-pleasing rigatoni dish

Garnishes

I love topping this dish with freshly grated Parmesan and a sprinkle of torn fresh basil leaves. The cheese adds savory richness, while the basil introduces a bright herbal lift that cuts through the creaminess. Sometimes I even add a little extra drizzle of olive oil or a pinch of crushed red pepper for more heat.

Side Dishes

To round out this hearty meal, I usually pair it with a crisp green salad tossed in a simple vinaigrette—something light and fresh to balance the richness. Roasted or steamed green veggies like broccoli or asparagus also work wonderfully alongside.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I’ve served the riggies in individual shallow bowls topped with basil chiffonade and a Parmesan crisp for crunch. It’s fun to add some toasted garlic bread on the side to soak up the sauce and impress guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When I do this, I usually separate the pasta and sauce slightly if possible, to help keep the noodles from getting mushy overnight.

Freezing

This Spicy Chicken Riggies Recipe freezes well! I freeze the sauce with chicken separately in portioned bags and the pasta in another container. When ready to eat, I thaw the sauce overnight and reheat gently.

Reheating

To reheat, warm the sauce on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of cream or milk if it’s too thick. Then stir in the pasta just before serving to avoid overcooked noodles. This keeps your leftovers tasting fresh and creamy.

FAQs

What makes Chicken Riggies different from other pasta dishes?

Chicken Riggies stand out because of the unique combination of spicy pickled cherry peppers, creamy tomato sauce, and tender chicken thighs. The use of pepper brine adds a tangy depth that you don’t find in typical pasta dishes. This balance of creamy, tangy, and spicy flavors is the hallmark of the dish.
Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

You can absolutely use chicken breasts if that’s what you have on hand, but thighs tend to stay juicier and more flavorful during the cooking process. If using breasts, be careful not to overcook them as they dry out faster. Cutting the breasts into uniform pieces and cooking over moderate heat helps keep them tender.
How spicy is this Spicy Chicken Riggies Recipe?

The heat level is moderate—enough to give your taste buds a kick but not overwhelming. You can adjust the spice by changing the amount of cherry peppers or using milder varieties. The heavy cream also tones down the spice for a balanced flavor.
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Definitely! Just swap the rigatoni with your favorite gluten-free pasta. I personally use gluten-free rigatoni without any issues in texture or taste.
What can I serve with Spicy Chicken Riggies?

It pairs beautifully with a simple green salad, steamed or roasted vegetables, or garlic bread. The idea is to complement the rich, spicy sauce with fresh, light sides.

Final Thoughts

This Spicy Chicken Riggies Recipe is one of those dishes that feels like a warm hug after a long day. I used to struggle with balancing the heat and creaminess, but once I discovered the trick of adding pickled cherry pepper brine, everything clicked. Whether you’re looking to impress company or just want a cozy dinner, this recipe will quickly become a favorite in your rotation. Give it a try—I promise you’ll love the layers of flavor and that satisfying spicy kick.