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 dish to my family on a busy weeknight and it quickly became a household favorite because of how simple and delicious it is.
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 My family loves gathering around this dish especially on chilly nights, sharing stories and laughter with each comforting bite.
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 delicious way to elevate your weeknight dinners with minimal effort.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → What type of pasta works best in this dish?
Bowtie (farfalle) pasta is the traditional choice, but penne or fusilli are great alternatives that hold the sauce well.
- → Can I use store-bought pesto?
Yes, store-bought basil pesto works well; just choose quality brands for the best flavor.
- → How do I prevent the sauce from splitting?
Simmer the cream and pesto gently and avoid high heat to keep the sauce smooth and creamy.
- → Are there options to make this dish lighter?
Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream to reduce richness while maintaining creaminess.
- → What garnishes enhance this meal?
Toasted pine nuts, extra grated Parmesan, and fresh basil leaves add flavor and texture contrasts.
- → Can I add vegetables to this dish?
Yes, baby spinach and cherry tomatoes are excellent additions, adding freshness and color.