Save A vibrant, flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken, bowtie pasta, and a creamy basil pesto sauce—perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
A vibrant, flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken, bowtie pasta, and a creamy basil pesto sauce—perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- Pasta: 340 g (12 oz) bowtie (farfalle) pasta
- Chicken: 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 400 g), cut into bite-sized pieces, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- Sauce: 120 g (1/2 cup) basil pesto (store-bought or homemade), 120 ml (1/2 cup) heavy cream, 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
- Vegetables (optional): 120 g (1 cup) cherry tomatoes, halved, 60 g (2 cups) baby spinach
- Garnish: 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts (optional), Extra grated Parmesan cheese, Fresh basil leaves
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the bowtie pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 60 ml (1/4 cup) of pasta water.
- Step 2:
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Step 3:
- In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium. Add pesto and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Let simmer for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 4:
- Return chicken to the skillet. Add cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, and Parmesan cheese. Toss to coat evenly.
- Step 5:
- If using, add cherry tomatoes and baby spinach. Cook for 2–3 minutes until spinach is wilted and tomatoes are just softened.
- Step 6:
- Serve immediately, garnished with toasted pine nuts, extra Parmesan, and fresh basil.
Pin it This recipe brings the family together with its comforting and fresh flavors.
Required Tools
Large pot, Large skillet, Colander, Chefs knife, Cutting board, Wooden spoon
Allergen Information
Contains Milk/dairy (Parmesan, cream, pesto), pine nuts (in pesto and as garnish), gluten (pasta). Some store-bought pestos may contain tree nuts (cashews) or other allergens. Always check labels.
Nutritional Information (per serving)
Calories: 580, Total Fat: 25 g, Carbohydrates: 57 g, Protein: 34 g
Pin it Enjoy this flavorful pesto chicken bowtie pasta as a quick and satisfying meal any night of the week.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What type of pasta works best for this dish?
Bowtie (farfalle) pasta is ideal as it holds the creamy pesto sauce well, but penne or fusilli can be used as alternatives.
- → Can I use store-bought pesto?
Yes, store-bought pesto works well and speeds up preparation, though homemade pesto adds a fresher flavor.
- → How should the chicken be cooked?
Cook boneless, skinless chicken pieces in olive oil until golden and fully cooked, seasoning with salt and pepper.
- → Are there options to make the dish lighter?
Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream to reduce richness while maintaining creaminess.
- → What garnishes enhance this pasta?
Toasted pine nuts, extra grated Parmesan, and fresh basil leaves add texture and fresh herbal notes.