FARFALLE WITH CHICKEN AND ROASTED GARLIC

The roasted garlic is actually my favorite part of this dish. I actually sometimes double what the recipe calls for because we all love the roasted garlic so much. I also sometimes will take some of the garlic and mash it into the pan to incorporate it with the sauce for more garlic flavor.
With the Parmesan Cheese I use shaved Parmesan because I love the flavor and how it melts. You can use shredded, but grated will have a terrible texture in the dish and isn’t recommended.

FARFALLE WITH CHICKEN AND ROASTED GARLIC RECIPE
INGREDIENTS
  • 1 head roasted garlic cloves removed (recipe above)
  • 2 chicken breasts boneless skinless
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
  • 1 pound bow tie pasta aka farfalle, cooked and drained -but not rinsed
  • 12 ounces center cut bacon cut into strips
  • 8 ounces crimini mushrooms quartered
  • 1/2 yellow onion chopped
  • 1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes reserve the oil and chop roughly
  • 3/4 cup white wine
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
INSTRUCTIONS
  1. If you haven't cooked the pasta, cook it now according to the directions on the box.
  2. Cut the chicken into 1" cubes and season with kosher salt and black pepper.
  3. To a cast iron skillet add the olive oil on high heat.
  4. Cook the chicken until browned on both sides, about 2-3 minutes on each side.
  5. Remove from the pan, reduce the heat to medium-high heat and add in the bacon.
  6. Cook until crisp and remove the bacon (leave the fat).
  7. Add in the mushrooms and onions and cook for 5-7 minutes until they start browning.
  8. Remove the mushrooms and onions from the pan to where the chicken and bacon are.
  9. Add in the sun dried tomatoes, white wine, and stir well, then let reduce by half, about 15 minutes.
  10. Add in the heavy cream, roasted garlic, chicken and vegetables.
  11. Add in most of the Parmesan cheese leaving just a garnishing amount.
  12. Stir well, then add in the pasta and bacon and combine everything.
  13. Garnish with remaining Parmesan cheese.