Upstate NY Chicken Riggie Fest Roundup of Recipes

Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Here are several different recipes for Chicken Riggies


There had been a Riggie fest from 2009 at the Utica Memorial Auditorium,  it was done every year in Utica, New York with many versions of this great dish with chicken and rigatoni pasta in a delicious wine or vodka style sauce.


Everyone makes Riggies a little different, for instance back in the 1960s my mom never used the cream, and it wasn't called chicken Riggies, there was just chicken broth with tomatoes and sherry or white wine and sometimes vodka in it with garlic.


Dad hated anything creamy, so she didn't add cream to her.


Not sure how all these new versions got created but the ones with cream is surely popular in most Utica restaurants.


Mom just called her dish Rigatoni Chicken with Vodka, and then years past and all kinds of pasta dishes were created now called  Chicken Riggies, her recipe is at the end of this post.


During the local fest, many folks competed for prizes that won for their best dishes on Riggies.


Utica, New York in my hometown, has several local proprietors who have this dish on their menu there and the locals go crazy over these along with vacationers who visit these well-known establishments for this tasty creation.


They're very popular and one taste and I am sure you will love some of these versions below to try whatever your taste buds prefer.


Check out the 5 versions below and find one you like and adapt away!


Also, check out another great roundup of recipes from a fellow blogger friend's post,
Joanne of Apple Crumbles blog with her version of CNY Chicken Riggies and Cathi over at The Brooklyn Ragazza Chicken Riggies Recipe both from Utica!



Utica is famous for not only for Chicken Riggies but also  Tomato Pie, Italian Greens, Italian Lemon Ice, Pizza Fritta,  Manny's Cheesecake, Oscugnizzo Pizza, Pusties and Rosato Chocolate Cookies.



If you would like a printable version, scroll down to the bottom.





rigatoni made into chicken riggies






What is Chicken Riggies?



Well, we have established one thing, they are a delicious popular pasta dish!



A Utica, New York, specialty dish indeed, that originated right there in my hometown.



Utica has so many unique foods created by so many talented cooks there.



It's quite popular for the best Italian food and pastries, if you haven't traveled there, put it on your bucket list of places to eat, you won't want to miss Authentic Italian home cooking!



This particular dish is made with Rigatoni macaroni and is paired with chicken, spicy peppers in a creamy red/cream sauce, and some crushed or diced tomatoes, other additions sometimes include some roasted red peppers and always sweet or hot cherry peppers.



These are just a few recipes I have made and collected and all have been adapted to our taste.



chicken in pan seared for chicken riggie recipe



The Sauce Ingredients for Chicken Riggies

(Note: My Favorite Chicken Riggie recipe and mom's version is at the very end past the recipe card)


  • olive oil
  • butter
  • garlic, minced
  • fresh basil leaves for garnish
  • skinless, boneless chicken breast meat cut up in chunks
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • sweet or hot cherry red peppers
  • 28 oz can of plum tomatoes
  • garlic powder, oregano, black pepper
  • cayenne pepper, salt, sugar
  • heavy cream
  • Rigatoni pasta
  • Vodka or Sherry




These are a famous chicken pasta dish called chicken riggies made in Utica New York restaurants





Amazing Taste


All the flavors blend together so well.


If you want a basic no cream recipe, you will find that in my favorite version by scrolling to the bottom of the page.


Here are some listed that were the most popular at the fests.



this is a dish of pasta with chicken, cherry peppers, famous in Utica New York called Chicken Riggies



Chicken Riggies #1










Chicken Riggies Cajun Style

1 tablespoon olive oil
5 garlic cloves, chopped
1 white onion, chopped
3 or 4 fresh or jarred hot cherry peppers seeded and chopped
1 can tomato paste
2 cans (28 oz. or so) diced tomatoes
4 leaves freshly chopped basil, or 1 tablespoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1/4 cup sherry (can use cooking sherry)
4 to 5 chicken breasts, grilled and cut into bite-size pieces*
salt to taste
freshly ground pepper to taste
1/2 to 2/3 cup light cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
2 1-lb. boxes of penne rigate or rigatoni

In olive oil, gently saute the garlic and onion until tender.
Add the cherry peppers, tomato paste, and canned tomatoes.
Cook on low for 20 to 25 minutes. Add chicken, sherry, low for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the light cream and Parmesan cheese, and stir in until lightly blended.
Pour mixture over hot cooked pasta. Top with mozzarella cheese.



These are a famous chicken pasta dish called chicken riggies made in Utica New York restaurants



Chicken Riggies #2









Chicken Riggies with Chopped Tomatoes

5 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 cup grated Reggiano cheese
1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
3 or 4 jarred or fresh  hot cherry peppers seeded and chopped
4 to 5 chicken breasts cubed in small pieces
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup heavy cream
2 cans (28 oz. or so) diced tomatoes
4 leaves freshly chopped basil, or 1 tablespoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
red pepper flakes

In large skillet, heat oil and butter over medium heat. Add garlic and saute until soft, around 1 minute then add chicken, season with salt & pepper to taste and saute for 10 minutes, or until halfway cooked. Add everything but sherry until chicken is cooked. Add sherry. Simmer 10 min.

Cook pasta and toss in the sauce. Sprinkle with more cheese. Also great with shredded mozzarella on top.



These are a famous chicken pasta dish called chicken riggies made in Utica New York restaurants




Chicken Riggies #3







Chicken Riggies Two Kinds of Peppers



Saute the following:
1 stick of real butter
1 red onion, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
24 oz. jar of roasted peppers in olive oil, sliced
5 sliced cherry peppers, mild or hot, depending on your taste
After those are sauteed, add:
1 cup Parmesan cheese
2 lbs boneless chicken breast, cubed
1 can chicken broth
1 can tomato sauce (15 oz)
1 can Alfredo sauce
Cook on the stove for an hour or so, stirring so it won't burn, then serve over Rigatoni.







These are a famous chicken pasta dish called chicken riggies made in Utica New York restaurants






Chicken Riggies #4






Chicken Riggies with Sherry Cream



(makes 8 servings)
2-4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cubed
1 cup tomato sauce
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup butter
8 cloves garlic, minced
8 sliced large shallots
salt and pepper to taste
1 (8 oz jar) sweet red peppers, drained & julienned
1/2 cup Sherry
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 (16oz box) Rigatoni pasta
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 8oz pk sliced fresh mushrooms
1 (2.5oz can) sliced black olives
1 cup Parmesan/Romano cheese
In large skillet, heat oil and butter over medium heat. Add garlic and shallots and saute until soft, then add chicken, season with salt & pepper to taste and saute for 10 minutes, or until halfway cooked. Add everything but sherry cook 10 min. Add sherry. Simmer 10 min.
Cook pasta toss.



These are a famous chicken pasta dish called chicken riggies made in Utica New York restaurants




Chicken Riggies #5








Chicken Riggies on the Ranch



1 Bottle of State Farm BBQ Sauce
5 pounds chicken cut up in chunks
1/2 Cup of White Wine
Pint of Heavy Cream
16 oz of Grated Cheese
Large Can of Tomato Sauce
Large Can of Diced Tomatoes - Petite
8oz Can of Tomato Paste
5-6 cloves of Garlic
2 Medium Onions Chopped
4-5 Cherry Peppers

A small container of Mushrooms
2-3 Chopped Red or Green Peppers
1 Teaspoon each of Parsley, Oregano, and Basil
Olives to Taste at the end
Marinate the chicken in the BBQ sauce for at least three hours.
Add a few tablespoons of olive oil to a pan and saute the chopped garlic and onions. Don't burn! Add in, wine, Tomato sauce, diced, and paste. Include the dry spices. Cover and simmer. Add in peppers and mushrooms.


Fry chicken but do not discard the BBQ sauce. Add cooked chicken to the red sauce.
In another pan mix BBQ sauce, cream, and grated cheese. Slowly bring to a boil until the sauce is thick-smooth.
Mix the two sauces together and cook together for a few minutes.



Pin for later





pin for later riggies from Upstate Utica NY Riggie Fest



Try Some of My Other Pasta Recipes

15 Favorite Pasta Recipes
Mushroom Ricotta Pasta
Pasta Fagioli
Baked Ziti
Mom's East End Sausage Sauce Pasta
Lemon Chicken and Pasta
Homemade Ravioli
Quick Lasagna




this is a photo of rigatoni pasta in a box and bottle of cherry peppers to make Chicken Riggies





Chicken Riggies, Riggie fest, Utica, New York, Chicken Riggie Fest, Riggies
pasta, chicken pasta,
Italian American
Author:

These are a famous chicken pasta dish called chicken riggies made in Utica New York restaurants

Upstate NY Chicken Riggie Fest Roundup of Recipes

These chicken riggie recipes from my hometown Utica New York is a printable collection. The recipes below were entered in a Riggie Fest contest some years back. Check out the recipes and see which one you like
prep time: cook time: total time:

ingredients:

  • Here are some of the ingredients you may need:
  • Chicken
  • Rigatoni
  • Hot Cherry Peppers
  • Heavy Cream 
  • Butter
  • Onion
  • Cheese
  • Mozzarella
  • Olive Oil
  • Tomatoes
  • Tomato paste
  • Basil
  • Herbs, spices, salt, pepper

instructions:

How to cook Upstate NY Chicken Riggie Fest Roundup of Recipes

  1. Chicken Riggies #1
  2. 1 tablespoon olive oil
  3. 5 garlic cloves, chopped
  4. 1 white onion, chopped
  5. 3 or 4 jarred hot cherry peppers seeded and chopped
  6. 1 can tomato paste
  7. 2 cans (28 oz. or so) diced tomatoes
  8. 4 leaves freshly chopped basil, or 1 tablespoon dried basil
  9. 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  10. 1/4 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
  11. 1/4 cup sherry (can use cooking sherry)
  12. 4 to 5 chicken breasts, grilled and cut into bite-size pieces*
  13. salt to taste
  14. freshly ground pepper to taste
  15. 1/2 to 2/3 cup light cream
  16. 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  17. 1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
  18. 2 1-lb. boxes of penne rigate or rigatoni
  19. In olive oil, gently saute the garlic and onion until tender.
  20. Add the cherry peppers, tomato paste, and canned tomatoes.
  21. Cook on low for 20 to 25 minutes. Add chicken, sherry, low for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the light cream and Parmesan cheese, and stir in until lightly blended.
  22. Pour mixture over hot cooked pasta. Top with mozzarella cheese.
  23. Chicken Riggies #2
  24. 5 garlic cloves, chopped
  25. 1/2 cup grated Reggiano cheese
  26. 1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
  27. 3 or 4 jars hot cherry peppers seeded and chopped
  28. 4 to 5 chicken breasts cubed in small pieces
  29. 3 tablespoons butter
  30. 3 tablespoons olive oil
  31. 1 cup heavy cream
  32. 2 cans (28 oz. or so) diced tomatoes
  33. 4 leaves freshly chopped basil, or 1 tablespoon dried basil
  34. 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  35. red pepper flakes
  36. In large skillet, heat oil and butter over medium heat. Add garlic and saute until soft, around 1 minute then add chicken, season with salt & pepper to taste and saute for 10 minutes, or until halfway cooked. Add everything but sherry until chicken is cooked. Add sherry. Simmer 10 min.
  37. Cook pasta and toss in the sauce. Sprinkle with more cheese. Also great with shredded mozzarella on top.
  38. Chicken Riggies #3
  39. Saute the following:
  40. 1 stick of real butter
  41. 1 red onion, minced
  42. 3 cloves garlic, minced
  43. 24 oz. jar of roasted peppers in olive oil, sliced
  44. 5 sliced cherry peppers, mild or hot, depending on your taste
  45. After those are sauteed, add:
  46. 1 cup Parmesan cheese
  47. 2 lbs boneless chicken breast, cubed
  48. 1 can chicken broth
  49. 1 can tomato sauce (15 oz)
  50. 1 can Alfredo sauce
  51. Cook on the stove for an hour or so, stirring so it won't burn, then serve over Rigatoni.
  52. Chicken Riggies #4
  53. (makes 8 servings)
  54. 2-4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cubed
  55. 1 cup tomato sauce
  56. 1/4 cup olive oil
  57. 1/4 cup butter
  58. 8 cloves garlic, minced
  59. 8 sliced large shallots
  60. salt and pepper to taste
  61. 1 (8 oz jar) sweet red peppers, drained & julienned
  62. 1/2 cup Sherry
  63. 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  64. 1 (16oz box) Rigatoni pasta
  65. 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  66. 1 8oz pk sliced fresh mushrooms
  67. 1 (2.5oz can) sliced black olives
  68. 1 cup Parmesan/Romano cheese
  69. In large skillet, heat oil and butter over medium heat. Add garlic and shallots and saute until soft, then add chicken, season with salt & pepper to taste and saute for 10 minutes, or until halfway cooked. Add everything but sherry cook 10 min. Add sherry. Simmer 10 min.
  70. Cook pasta toss.
  71. Chicken Riggies #5
  72. 1 Bottle of State Farm BBQ Sauce
  73. 5 pounds chicken cut up in chunks
  74. ½ Cup of White Wine
  75. Pint of Heavy Cream
  76. 16 oz of Grated Cheese
  77. Large Can of Tomato Sauce
  78. Large Can of Diced Tomatoes - Petite
  79. 8oz Can of Tomato Paste
  80. 5-6 cloves of Garlic
  81. 2 Medium Onions Chopped
  82. 4-5 Cherry Peppers
  83. A small container of Mushrooms
  84. 2-3 Chopped Red or Green Peppers
  85. 1 Teaspoon each of Parsley, Oregano, and Basil
  86. Olives to Taste at the end
  87. Marinate the chicken in the BBQ sauce for at least three hours.
  88. Add a few tablespoons of olive oil to a pan and saute the chopped garlic and onions. Don't burn! Add in, wine, Tomato sauce, diced and paste. Include the dry spices. Cover and simmer. Add in peppers and mushrooms.
  89. Fry chicken but do not discard the BBQ sauce. Add cooked chicken to the red sauce.
  90. In another pan mix BBQ sauce, cream and grated cheese. Slowly bring to a boil until the sauce is thick-smooth.
  91. Mix the two sauces together and cook together for a few minutes.
Calories
377
Fat (grams)
22
Sat. Fat (grams)
12
Carbs (grams)
19
Net carbs
11
Created using The Recipes Generator







One More Version




this is a pot of chicken riggie sauce a famous dish in Utica New York with cherry peppers, chicken over rigatoni pasta







CHICKEN RIGGIES Mom's Recipe using Vodka Riggie Sauce


4 tablespoons olive oil

1/4 cup butter

5 cloves garlic, minced

fresh basil leaves for garnish

2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast meat cut up in chunks

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 cup vodka or dry sherry make sure it isn't cooking sherry which is full of salt, buy this at a liquor store

1 (16 ounces) jar sweet or hot cherry red peppers, drained and julienned (rinsed very well underwater and remove seeds using a colander)

1 28 oz can of plum tomatoes put through a processor ( leave a few chunky pieces)

1 cup chicken broth

Add these spices to the sauce:

1/2 teaspoon each of garlic powder, oregano, black pepper

1/4 teaspoon each of cayenne pepper, salt, sugar

Optional:

For Cream Vodka Sauce add 1 cup heavy cream at the end


1 package uncooked Rigatoni pasta



DIRECTIONS:

In a large saucepan, heat oil and butter over medium heat. Add garlic and (shallots if you are using them in this recipe) and saute until soft, add chicken.

Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, or until the chicken is no longer pink.

In another pot boil your Rigatoni in saltwater to your preference and package instructions, drain and toss with olive oil so they won't stick together about 4 tablespoons, set aside.

Add the peppers and the broth plus tomato sauce with all spices, reduce heat to low, and simmer on low for about 10 minutes.

Add choice of vodka or wine and simmer for another 10 minutes, stir, and simmer for 10 minutes more.

If making a cream version add the 1 cup of heavy cream and stir until heated, do not boil.

Ladle the sauce over the hot cooked pasta and top with grating cheese and fresh basil. Double sauce recipe as this will make enough for only one pound.








Pin for later Chicken Riggies







Disclosure: This recipe was originally posted to this blog 2011. It was edited and re-published in 2020.

22 comments

  1. Ah pasta yes please always.So many ways with it.So many recepies with it.Yum:)

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  2. WOW, how many tasty ideas for cooking chicken! Thanks for your appetizing suggestions. Bye, have a great week

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  3. They all sound delicious as does the firey chicken below.

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  4. I love the name of the dish! I don't even know what a "riggie" is but I assume it is short for rigatoni?? LOL I think rigatoni is the untapped resource of pasta. I feel like NO one uses it but I do all the time! It is one of my favs! All the recipes you posted are awesome!! thanks for sharing!

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  5. I don't know these recipes at all - there is a treasure trove of new chicken recipes for me to delve into! How lucky for me!

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  6. I am going with Chicken Riggies #1. There is no such thing as too many ways to make chicken and macaroni :)

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  7. Riggies are everyone's favorite. Utica sure does have some great food.
    Thanks Claudia.

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  8. I never heard of chicken riggies!! Thanks for teaching me something new, Miss Thing!

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  9. I love all of these recipes! I might try one out for dinner tonight, your post made me hungry! Great photography too. As always love your site! Have a wonderful day =]

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  10. Riggies, that's so funny! Lovely variety Claudia, I enjoy the riggies too!

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  11. Oh, my! They all sound so good. I think #3 will be up first!

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  12. all right, I give... had not heard of this before, now I am a bit mo edukated.. of course, I would pick yours to try, like the creamy sauce

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  13. You learn something new everyday. Do people in New York have festivals for other pastas or is Rigatoni the only one? Maybe they could become friends with the people in Spain that throw tomatoes at each other then you you could have pasta with tomato sauce.These sound really good, you got me wanting pasta with chicken now.

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  14. Hello Claudia, My son would love this! He loves a good creamy style sauce. Wonderful! Blessings, Catherine xo

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  15. All delicious sounding! What a great festival!

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  16. This sounds really good. I'm not sure which version sounds best to me. I think #3. Which one do you like best?

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  17. So many great choices. Hmmm... where to start!?

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  18. Riggies huh? OK.
    I really like this, I've never seen those bottled cherry peppers before.
    Hard to decide which single one is best, I make them all winners.

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  19. I'll be in Rome NY soon...can't wait for our vacation...looking forward to the fall weather!

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  20. This is something completely new to me, but what a great line up of recipes :)

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  21. This is a pasta feast :-) So fresh, yummy and comforting!

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  22. I'm from upstate New York. I used to work in Rome, New York and we used to send for Chicken Riggies for lunch from the Franklin Hotel. They made the best, so I have been looking for their recipe. The southern people look at me me like I have two heads when I asked about this. Lol!! Thanks so much for the recipe!!

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Remember to use the search option for a recipe you're looking for and thanks for all your kind words and support. We love our readers all the best Claudia