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.
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 has become a staple during family dinners, bringing everyone together around the table with smiles and full plates.
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.