This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Bowtie pasta is always a crowd-pleaser, and this easy, creamy version is no exception! Tender pasta, juicy chicken, and sun-dried tomatoes come together in a rich, flavorful sauce that’s perfect for a quick weeknight meal. Everything cooks in one pan, so cleanup is a breeze.
Chicken and Bow Tie Pasta
Let’s discuss what this Chicken and Bow Tie Pasta dish is and what it definitely is not! Here’s the breakdown. Our easy Bow Tie Pasta and Chicken recipe is all about simplicity and flavor. It’s filled with fun, bite-sized noodles shaped like butterflies, pieces of chicken, veggies, and a cheesy creamy sauce, all simmered together in a single skillet. It’s that simple! Stir in the heavy cream and parmesan and dinner is done! The best part? There’s minimal clean up at the end of the meal.
This creamy Bow Tie Pasta is a far cry from those cold, mayo-drenched summer pasta salads you most often serve as a side. Instead, it’s a warm, hearty pasta dish that delivers comfort in every bite. The sauce is thick, rich, and packed with garlic and parmesan flavor, similar to my Crack Chicken Penne Pasta. But this recipe is even easier because it cooks the farfalle pasta in the skillet with the sauce instead of boiling it separately and tossing it in at the end to coat.
Ingredients For Chicken and Bow Tie Pasta
- Unsalted butter
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts
- Yellow onion
- Sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil: I love the flavor that the sun-dried tomatoes add to this recipe. I will often substitute sun-dried tomatoes packed in herb-seasoned olive oil for added flavor. Both options are delicious.
- Minced garlic
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Chicken broth
- Half & half: This is not a recipe that you want to use low-fat or non-fat dairy alternatives. You can substitute the half & half for whole milk, but I highly suggest using the heavy cream when called for in the recipe. It really helps thicken the broth and sauce of this dish.
- Basil: If fresh basil is not available or in season, you can certainly substitute it with fresh parsley or even 1½ teaspoons of dried basil.
- Bowtie pasta: Any short, bite-sized pasta will work for this recipe. Try using shells, rotini, penne, or rigatoni instead of bowtie pasta.
- Heavy cream
- Parmesan cheese: The grated parmesan cheese can be substituted for a grated pecorino romano or any hard Italian cheese. A combination cheese blend would work well too. Just make sure your cheese is grated for the best results.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Bow Tie Pasta with Chicken
- Prepare The Poultry: Melt the butter in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and brown lightly on all sides and cooked through.
- Cook The Veggies: To the same skillet, add the onion, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, salt, and black pepper. Cook until the vegetables are softened.
- Simmer On The Stove: Stir in the chicken broth, half & half, basil, and bowtie pasta, bring the liquids to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Simmer for 20 minutes, stirring half way through.
- Cool: Turn off the heat, stir in the heavy cream and parmesan cheese, and allow the pasta and sauce to cool and thicken for 5 minutes.
- Serve: Garnish with a sprinkle of parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired. Serve and enjoy!
The Best Sauce for Bow Tie Pasta
When it comes to bow tie pasta dishes, the right sauce can make all the difference! Whether you’re craving something creamy, tangy, or light, there’s a perfect pairing for farfalle noodles that makes it fun to stab with a fork!
- Creamy Sauces
A rich, creamy sauce is always a winner with bow tie pasta. Think garlic parmesan, alfredo sauce, or a creamy tomato sauce. The thick texture clings to the ridges of the farfalle, creating a rich, flavorful coating that enhances each bite and amplifies the overall taste. - Tomato-Based Sauces
For those who prefer a bit more acidity and tang, a tomato-based sauce is great. A classic marinara or a rich pomodoro sauce pairs beautifully with bow tie pasta, letting the shape of the noodles scoop up every bit of tomatoey taste. Add some fresh herbs or a pinch of chili flakes for an extra kick. - Light Sauces
If you’re looking for something a little lighter, olive oil and garlic with fresh herbs are perfect. Toss the bow tie pasta with a simple lemon juice and olive oil or pesto sauce for a refreshing dish that still packs a punch. These sauces complement the delicate texture of the pasta while keeping the meal light and feeling fresh.
How to Cook Bow Tie Pasta Perfectly
To cook pasta perfectly in the skillet, skip the separate pot! The moisture and steam from the chicken broth and half & half will cook the bow ties directly in the skillet perfectly al dente. As the pasta simmers, the starch released from the bow ties will help thicken the sauce, creating a creamy, flavorful dish. Simply bring the liquid to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover with a lid, and let it simmer for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through. This method ensures the pasta absorbs all the flavors without becoming mushy.
Make sure to give the pasta a gentle stir halfway through the simmering time (around 10 minutes) to ensure it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the skillet. And after turning off the heat, let the pasta and sauce cool and thicken for 5 minutes. This step helps the pasta set and prevents it from becoming too soft.
What to Serve with Bow Tie Pasta
This chicken and bow tie pasta recipe makes a hearty, filling meal, so I like to serve it with something simple. A garden salad or steamed or roasted veggies on the side can bring a healthy balance and boost of vitamins to the dish. My garlic bread, Cheese Stuffed Garlic Rolls, Cheesy Pull-Apart Garlic Bread, or Cauliflower Breadsticks are great for soaking up the extra sauce!
For an extra touch, fresh chopped basil or parsley on top will add a burst of color and fresh flavor, brightening up the dish. Garnish with freshly grated parmesan to add a savory depth of flavor or if you enjoy a bit of heat, sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes on top for an extra spicy kick.
Can You Use Different Proteins in Bow Tie Pasta?
You can easily pick different proteins for this bow tie pasta recipe! Here are some alternatives you can use while following the same recipe:
- Shrimp: Replace the chicken with shrimp. Cook the shrimp in the skillet until pink and slightly caramelized, then follow the recipe. Shrimp cooks quickly, so be sure not to overdo it.
- Sausage: Swap chicken for sausage (Italian sausage or turkey sausage work great!). Brown the sausage pieces in the skillet, breaking them apart as they cook. Then continue with the recipe as directed.
- Beef: Ground beef or beef strips can also be used. Brown the beef in the skillet, drain any excess fat, and proceed with the recipe. It’ll add a rich, hearty flavor to the dish.
No need to stop there; add more nutrients to the noodles! You can also add extra vegetables to this dish, such as broccoli, peas, spinach, kale, mushrooms, roasted red peppers, or cauliflower. Adding more veggies not only boosts the nutritional value, but also enhances the flavor and texture.
How to Store and Reheat Bow Tie Pasta
This creamy bowtie pasta is best served immediately. As this dish sits, the sauce will continue to thicken, and the pasta will continue to absorb the liquids. Leftovers can be refrigerated, in an airtight container, for up to 2 days for best results. I do not suggest freezing this dish as the cream tends to separate once thawed, and the texture is not as pleasant as when made fresh.
More Easy Pasta Recipes
If you tried this Bow Tie Pasta Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!!!
Bow Tie Pasta
Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 1-1½ pounds boneless-skinless chicken breast (2 large pieces) cut into 1-inch cubes
- ½ cup diced yellow onion
- 2 tablespoons diced sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup half & half
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped basil plus additional for optional garnish
- ½ pound bowtie pasta approximately 3 cups
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 cups grated parmesan cheese plus additional for optional garnish
Instructions
- In a large, heavy-duty skillet, on medium-high heat, add the unsalted butter. Once the butter has melted, add the diced chicken breast pieces in an even layer, and allow the chicken to brown lightly on all sides and the chicken pieces are cooked through. This will take 6-8 minutes.
- Once the chicken is cooked through, then add the diced yellow onion, diced sun-dried tomatoes, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Cook the vegetables for 2 minutes or until softened.
- Add the chicken broth, half & half, chopped fresh basil, and bowtie pasta to the skillet. Stir to combine.
- Bring the liquids to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid. Allow the pasta to simmer for 20 minutes. At the 10-minute mark, stir the pasta, replace the lid and finish cooking for the remaining 10 minutes.
- Once the pasta has cooked through, turn off the heat. Stir in the heavy cream and grated parmesan cheese until fully incorporated.
- Allow the pasta and sauce to cool for 5 minutes. This will give the sauce time to thicken slightly before serving. You can garnish the creamy bowtie pasta with a sprinkle of additional grated parmesan cheese and fresh chopped basil if desired before serving.
Jenn’s Notes
- To Store: Leftover bowtie pasta can be refrigerated, in an airtight container, for up to 2 days.
- Any short pasta will work for this recipe. You will just need to keep to using ½ pound (8 ounces ~ approximately 3 cups).
- I love the flavor that the sun-dried tomatoes add to this recipe. I will often substitute a brand of sun-dried tomatoes packed in herb-seasoned olive oil for added flavor. Both options are delicious.
- If fresh basil is not available or in season, you can certainly substitute it with fresh parsley or even 1½ teaspoons of dried basil.
