Description
Creamy Cheddar & Havarti Chicken Bowtie Pasta with Roasted Veggies is a comforting and flavorful dish combining tender diced chicken, roasted bell peppers, zucchini, and broccoli with a rich, cheesy sauce made from heavy cream, cheddar, and Havarti cheeses. This recipe delivers a perfect balance of creamy textures, savory chicken, and fresh roasted vegetables all tossed with perfectly cooked bowtie pasta, making it ideal for a hearty weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces bowtie pasta (Cook according to package instructions.)
Chicken & Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (For cooking the chicken.)
- 2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt (Adjust to taste.)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (Adjust to taste.)
Vegetables
- 1 cup bell peppers, diced
- 1 cup zucchini, diced
- 1 cup broccoli florets
Sauce & Garnish
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (Freshly shredded is preferred.)
- 1 cup havarti cheese, shredded (Freshly shredded is preferred.)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (For garnish.)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Cook the bowtie pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook Chicken: In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced chicken, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Roast Vegetables: Spread the diced bell peppers, zucchini, and broccoli on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat evenly, then roast in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until the vegetables are tender and slightly caramelized.
- Make Cheese Sauce: Once the chicken is cooked, lower the heat and pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir well to combine and bring to a gentle simmer. Gradually add in the cheddar and havarti cheeses, stirring constantly until fully melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Mix the cooked bowtie pasta into the cheese sauce, ensuring that the pasta is thoroughly coated with the creamy cheese mixture.
- Add Roasted Vegetables: Carefully fold the roasted vegetables into the pasta and cheese sauce mixture to combine all flavors evenly.
- Serve: Serve the creamy cheddar and Havarti chicken bowtie pasta warm, garnished with fresh chopped parsley for a bright, fresh finish.
Notes
- For an extra kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when cooking the chicken.
- Use freshly shredded cheese for a smoother melting experience and better flavor.
- The roasted vegetables can be swapped for any other favorites like mushrooms or asparagus.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- This recipe can be made gluten-free by substituting the bowtie pasta with a gluten-free variety.
