Rodney Atkins can rest easy on that pillow he allegedly tried to suffocate his wife with ... because the country star just struck a deal that will keep him out of the slammer ... if he stays out of trouble for the next 12 months.

TMZ broke the story ... Atkins was arrested back in November after his wife claimed Rodney tried to suffocate her with a pillow after a night of hard boozing and arguing.

Atkins maintained his innocence ... but he struck a deal with prosecutors in Tennessee, in which they agreed not to prosecute him ... because he completed anger management, drug and alcohol evaluations. Atkins also promised to complete 30 hours of community service and keep his nose clean for the next year.

Assuming he keeps his end of the bargain, the case will be dismissed and the charge will be expunged from his record.

Atkins released a statement to The Tennessean saying, "I am so thankful for all those that chose to withhold judgment while keeping my family and I in their prayers. God Bless. Onward and upward.”

Rodney Atkins and his wife agree ... they don't think it's safe to continue living under the same roof ... this according to the divorce docs obtained by TMZ.

We broke the story ... the country superstar filed for divorce after he was arrested last month for allegedly attacking his wife Tammy in a drunken bender in his Tennessee home. Rodney claims the allegations are completely false.

Now, we've obtained the divorce documents, in which both Rodney and Tammy agree they are "unable to live together successfully as husband and wife."

Both Rodney and Tammy also state that the other is "guilty of such inappropriate marital conduct as renders further cohabitation unsafe and improper."

According to the docs, Tammy is demanding sole custody of the couple's 10-year-old child -- plus she wants alimony, child support and Rodney to pay for her legal fees.

Rodney is demanding joint custody -- and claims he's willing to pay child support -- but he wants Tammy to pay for HIS legal fees.

For now, the judge has signed off on a restraining order -- barring both Rodney and Tammy from "harassing, threatening, assaulting or abusing the other party."

Country superstar Rodney Atkins was arrested last month in Tennessee for domestic assault after allegedly trying to smother his wife with a pillow -- but TMZ has learned Rodney has since filed for divorce, and insists his wife made up the whole thing. 

According to court docs filed in Williamson County, Rodney's wife Tammy Atkins called 911 at 7:47 AM on November 21 -- claiming the two had been arguing throughout the night in their home ... when Rodney turned violent.

Tammy told police Rodney tried to smother her with a pillow ... and later grabbed her by the face and threw her down the hallway.

Click here... it's not over yet