Chicken Bow Tie Pasta Recipe

Savory chive and onion cream cheese and tender broccoli elevate this chicken bow tie pasta to a creamy favorite you’ll always want in your midweek rotation. It’s delicious with garlic knots, roasted carrots, iced tea, crisp white wine; in fact most things.

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Chicken Bow Tie Pasta Recipe Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
• 1 (12 oz) package farfalle pasta (bow tie)
• 1 (14 oz) can chicken broth
• 1 head broccoli, chopped into small florets
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 2 (8 oz) containers chive and onion cream cheese
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

How To Make Chicken Bow Tie Pasta Recipe

1. Boil the chicken: Place the chicken breast halves in a large pot and cover them with water. Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat and leave to simmer for about 20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Once cooled slightly, use two forks to shred the meat into satisfying, bite-sized pieces.
2. Cook the pasta: Bring a separate pot of salted water to a boil and drop in the farfalle pasta. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the bow ties are perfectly tender but still hold a bit of a bite, then drain and set aside.
3. Make the sauce: In a large, wide skillet, combine the chicken broth, sliced red pepper, minced garlic, and broccoli florets. Season with salt and pepper and let the mixture blip away on a medium simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, ensuring the broccoli becomes tender and vibrant without turning mushy.
4. Mix it all: Add the containers of chive and onion cream cheese into the bubbling broth and stir gently until the cheese has completely melted into a smooth, savory sauce. Fold in the shredded chicken and the cooked pasta, tossing everything together until every bow tie is beautifully coated in that creamy, herb-flecked sauce.
5. Serve: Transfer the pasta to warm bowls and finish with a generous sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese. Bring it to the table and tuck in while it’s hot—though the leftovers are just as good the next day.

Recipe Tips

• How to get the smoothest sauce: Let the chive and onion cream cheese sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before adding it to the skillet; this helps it melt instantly into the broth without any lumps.
• How to preserve the broccoli’s color: Only simmer the broccoli until it is just fork-tender. Overcooking it in the broth will cause it to lose its bright green hue and firm texture.
• Why use bow tie pasta: Farfalle is the perfect shape for this recipe because the “pinched” center of the bow tie is excellent at catching and holding onto thick, creamy cheese sauces.
• How to quickly shred chicken: If you have a stand mixer, you can place the warm boiled chicken in the bowl with the paddle attachment and turn it on low for 60 seconds for a perfectly shredded texture.

What To Serve With Chicken Bow Tie Pasta Recipe?

This Chicken Bow Tie Pasta Recipe is a rich, creamy meal that needs a fresh finish! A side of Garlic Butter Knots is the classic choice for dipping into the extra cream cheese sauce. For a lighter touch, a serving of Honey Roasted Carrots adds a lovely sweetness that contrasts with the savory chive and onion flavors! A cold Peach Iced Tea or a crisp Pinot Grigio pairs wonderfully with the tender chicken and broccoli.

How To Store Chicken Bow Tie Pasta Recipe

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 to 4 days.
• Reheat: Warm the pasta in a saucepan over low heat, adding a tablespoon of milk or chicken broth to loosen the sauce as it heats up.
• Freeze: It is not recommended to freeze this dish as the cream cheese base can separate and become grainy once thawed.

Chicken Bow Tie Pasta Recipe Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 510 kcal
• Total Fat: 26 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg
• Sodium: 820 mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Protein: 34 g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

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