Spinach Chicken Bowtie Salad Spicy Is Optional Food

BOW TIE PASTA SALAD WITH CHICKEN AND ROASTED PEPPERS

Steps:

• 1. Position a rack about 6-inches from broiler and heat to high. Bring a medium-large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook, stirring often, until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain well and rinse under cold running water. Spread out on paper towel to absorb excess moisture.
• 2. Meanwhile, put the tomatoes in a small bowl and stir in 1 tablespoon vinegar, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Set aside to macerate for 15 to 20 minutes.
• 3. Arrange the peppers on a broiling pan, cut side down and broil, until blistered and black in spots, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer peppers to a bowl, cover with a lid or plate and set aside to steam for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse or scrape off the skin; cut peppers into a dice.
• 4. Mix the remaining 1 tablespoon vinegar, mustard in a large bowl, season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and some pepper. Whisk in the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil until smooth. Add the tomatoes with accumulated juices, the roasted peppers, and parsley and toss lightly. Just before serving, add the chicken and pasta and toss gently until combined. Season with salt and pepper. Serve.

SPICY CHICKEN BOW TIE PASTA IN CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Boil water for pasta and salt water prior to adding pasta.
• Trim any fat off the chicken and butterfly the breasts. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
• Bring chicken broth to a boil and add chicken and red pepper flakes on med/high heat until cooked. You'll notice the broth might thicken somewhat. This okay because you'll use this as the base for your sauce.
• Remove chicken once all pink is gone and chicken is cooked though. Hold with tongs and shread chicken with a fork. Set aside.
• Lower heat to medium and add in two cloves of garlic and saute for only about 1 minute.
• Add cream to broth and garlic.
• Roll up basil leaves and chop into thin ribbons. Add this to cream mixture.
• Add chicken and cooked pasta into sauce mixture.
• Add parmesan cheese and stir until well blended.
• Leave to thicken slightly on medium heat for about 5-10 minutes.
• Add pepperonchinis.(The yellow picked peppers mentioned above. These are on the pickle isle of your grocery store).
• The sauce will not be as thick as alfredo sauce gets, but will be even better! Just serve with warm French or Italian bread!

GRILLED CHICKEN BOW TIE PASTA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook pasta as directed on package, adding broccoli to the cooking water for the last 2 minutes; drain.
• Toss chicken pieces, tomatoes, pepper, cheese, olives and dressing together in a large bowl.
• Add pasta and broccoli, toss lightly.
• Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve.