Pin 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 to my family on a busy weeknight and everyone loved the fresh basil flavor and creamy sauce.
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 57 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 23 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 This dish always brings my family together around the table for a cozy meal.
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
Pin Enjoy this flavorful dish as a quick weeknight dinner or a special weekend treat.
Recipe Q&A
- → Can I use a different pasta shape?
Yes, penne or fusilli are great alternatives and will hold the creamy pesto sauce well.
- → Is homemade pesto better than store-bought?
Freshly made pesto offers a brighter flavor, but quality store-bought pesto works perfectly for convenience.
- → How can I make this dish lighter?
Swapping heavy cream for half-and-half reduces richness while keeping a creamy texture.
- → What’s the best way to cook the chicken for tenderness?
Cooking bite-sized chicken pieces over medium-high heat until golden ensures juiciness and even cooking.
- → Can I add vegetables to this dish?
Yes, adding baby spinach and cherry tomatoes adds freshness and complements the creamy sauce well.
