Chicken Bow Tie Pasta

Making this creamy chicken bow tie pasta will make you feel like the star of your own cooking show. It’s an effortless dinner that comes together in about 30 minutes, but somehow, it makes you feel like you’ve pulled off something glamorous and worthy of applause.

There’s not much to it. Cook tender bites of chicken and yellow squash in a creamy garlic sauce, add the pasta and voila! Dinner. You don’t need fancy skills or ingredients; just a few pantry staples, a skillet and a little confidence. If you’re a fan of dreamy pasta dishes like fettuccine Alfredo or you crave comforting casseroles like chicken tetrazzini, this recipe is for you.

Chicken Bow Tie Pasta Ingredients

• Bow tie pasta: Also known as farfalle, this pasta shape holds the creamy sauce in every fold and curve. Other types of pasta work, too, including penne, campanelle or casarecce.
• Butter: Butter is essential for sauteing the chicken and squash and making a roux for the sauce. Use unsalted butter so you can control the amount of salt yourself.
• Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Cut the chicken into equally sized pieces so it cooks uniformly and quickly.
• Seasonings: Salt and pepper are the dynamic duo that make everything taste like the best version of itself.
• Yellow summer squash or zucchini: Summer squash varieties like yellow squash and zucchini add color, nutrition and a slight sweetness that plays beautifully with the savory elements. Plus, they make you feel like you’re being healthy while eating creamy pasta.
• All-purpose flour: Flour is the thickening agent for the velvety sauce.
• Garlic: Garlic offers an aromatic punch without overwhelming the delicate Parmesan flavor.
• Fat-free milk: Fat-free milk creates a light sauce without heaviness. Use whole milk or 2% for more richness.
• Grated Parmesan cheese: Parmesan gives this dish its sophisticated, nutty flavor. It has has more flavor and better meltability when freshly grated with a Microplane or the small side of a box grater; packaged grated cheese is often mixed with anti-caking agents and preservatives.

Directions

Step 1: Cook the pasta

In a 6-quart stockpot, cook pasta according to the package directions.

Editor’s Tip: Salt your pasta water generously. Some say it should taste like the ocean.

Step 2: Cook the chicken

In a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the chicken, and cook and stir until it’s no longer pink, seven to nine minutes. Add 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper, then remove the chicken from the pan.

Step 3: Cook the squash

In the same pan, heat 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the squash, and cook and stir until tender, three to five minutes. Remove it from the heat.

Step 4: Make the Parmesan sauce

In a small saucepan, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Stir in the flour and garlic until they’re blended, then gradually whisk in the milk. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly until it has thickened, one to two minutes. Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the cheese and the remaining salt and pepper.

Editor’s Tip: This is where patience pays off. Add the milk slowly while whisking constantly to prevent lumps. If you get lumps, don’t panic; whisk harder and strain the sauce if needed. The cheese should melt smoothly into the hot sauce.

Step 4: Bring it all together

Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Add the chicken, squash and sauce to the pasta. Heat everything through, stirring to combine.

Editor’s Tip: Save a cup of that starchy pasta water before draining; it’s liquid gold for adjusting the sauce consistency. If the mixture seems too thick, add a splash of pasta water to loosen it up. Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving it.

Chicken Bow Tie Pasta Variations

• Make it colorful: Add fresh parsley for a pop of green, and red pepper flakes for a subtle kick that makes this dish Instagram-ready and flavor-packed.
• Switch the protein: Try grilled shrimp or turkey instead of chicken for a different flavor profile that’s just as delicious and satisfying.
• Load up on veggies: Toss in broccoli, spinach or cherry tomatoes to add more nutrition and color while keeping the same creamy, comforting base.
• Add herbs: Fresh herbs like basil or thyme make gorgeous garnishes that add color and flavor.

How to Store Chicken Bow Tie Pasta

Store your leftover chicken bow tie pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days, though it’s best enjoyed fresh when the sauce is at its creamiest. The pasta will absorb some of the sauce as it sits, but you’ll have more flavor in every bite. Cool the pasta completely before refrigerating it to prevent condensation from making it soggy.

How should you reheat chicken bow tie pasta?

Reheat your chicken bow tie pasta gently in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently to prevent the sauce from separating. Add a splash of milk or cream to loosen the sauce and bring back that creamy consistency; start with a tablespoon and add more as needed until it looks as good as new.

Chicken Bow Tie Pasta Tips

Can you use leftover chicken for chicken bow tie pasta?

Leftover rotisserie chicken is a game-changer for this recipe. Just shred or chop it and add it during the last step to warm through. You can also use leftover grilled or baked chicken. Just make sure it’s properly cooked and heated through before serving the pasta.

What else can you serve with chicken bow tie pasta?

This dish is a complete meal, but you can serve it with Caesar salad, roasted vegetables and crusty bread to soak up any extra sauce. A glass of white wine like pinot grigio or chardonnay pairs beautifully with the creamy Parmesan flavors.

Watch How to Make Parmesan Chicken Bow Tie Pasta

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