Pin it A vibrant, flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken, bowtie pasta, and a creamy basil pesto sauce—perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
I first served this delicious dish to my family on a busy weeknight, and it quickly became a favorite due to its ease and rich flavor.
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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
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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 has become a staple during family dinners, bringing everyone together around the table with smiles and full plates.
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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
Calories: 580, Total Fat: 25 g, Carbohydrates: 57 g, Protein: 34 g per serving.
Pin it 
This pesto chicken bowtie pasta is a quick and satisfying meal that elevates any weeknight dinner with its fresh flavors.
