Save to Pinterest A vibrant, flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken, bowtie pasta, and a creamy basil pesto sauce: perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
I first made this pasta when I needed something delicious and fast after a busy workday. The aroma of basil pesto always brings comfort to my kitchen, and combining it with chicken and bowties makes for a satisfying dinner everyone enjoys.
Ingredients
- Pasta: 340 g (12 oz) bowtie (farfalle) pasta
- Chicken: 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 400 g), cut into bite-sized pieces
- Olive Oil: 1 tbsp
- Salt: 1/2 tsp
- Freshly Ground Black Pepper: 1/4 tsp
- Basil Pesto: 120 g (1/2 cup), store-bought or homemade
- Heavy Cream: 120 ml (1/2 cup)
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: 2 tbsp
- Cherry Tomatoes (optional): 120 g (1 cup), halved
- Baby Spinach (optional): 60 g (2 cups)
- Toasted Pine Nuts (optional): 2 tbsp
- Extra Grated Parmesan Cheese: For garnish
- Fresh Basil Leaves: For garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta:
- 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.
- Cook Chicken:
- 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.
- Prepare Sauce:
- 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.
- Combine:
- Return chicken to the skillet. Add cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, and Parmesan cheese. Toss to coat evenly.
- Add Vegetables:
- If using, add cherry tomatoes and baby spinach. Cook for 2–3 minutes until spinach is wilted and tomatoes are just softened.
- Serve:
- Serve immediately, garnished with toasted pine nuts, extra Parmesan, and fresh basil.
Save to Pinterest This pasta is always a hit at our family table, especially on weeknights when everyone wants something hearty but not complicated. My kids love helping sprinkle Parmesan and pine nuts over their bowls and we enjoy chatting together while eating.
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
Save to Pinterest Enjoy this pasta warm, straight from the pan: its flavor and color brighten any table. Leftovers make a great lunch the next day!
Ask About This Recipe
- → Can I use a different pasta type?
Yes, fusilli or penne work well as alternatives to bowtie pasta, holding the creamy sauce nicely.
- → How can I make the sauce lighter?
Substitute half-and-half for heavy cream to reduce richness while maintaining creaminess.
- → Is it necessary to reserve pasta water?
Reserving some pasta water helps loosen the sauce, ensuring it coats the pasta evenly.
- → Can I prepare this faster using pre-cooked chicken?
Using rotisserie chicken shortens cooking time without sacrificing flavor.
- → What allergens should I be aware of?
This dish contains dairy, gluten, and pine nuts; check pesto ingredients if store-bought.
- → What wine pairs well with this dish?
A crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio complements the creamy basil pesto and chicken beautifully.