Bow Ties with Chicken, Watercress, and Walnuts

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Ingredients

1. 1/3 cup walnuts
2. 8 tablespoons olive oil
3. 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/3 pounds in all)
4. Salt
5. Fresh-ground black pepper
6. 2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
7. 1/2 pound multicolored or plain bow ties
8. 1 bunch watercress (about 5 ounces), large stems removed

1. In a large nonstick frying pan, toast the walnuts over moderate heat, stirring, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Remove the nuts from the pan and chop.
2. In the same pan, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over moderate heat. Season the chicken breasts with 1/8 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cook the breasts until browned and just done, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the pan and let rest for 5 minutes before cutting the meat into chunks.
3. In a medium glass or stainless-steel bowl, combine the remaining 6 tablespoons oil, the vinegar, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add the chicken.
4. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the bow ties until just done, about 15 minutes. Drain the pasta and toss it with the walnuts, the chicken-and-vinaigrette mixture, and the watercress. Serve warm.