Pin A vibrant, flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken, bowtie pasta, and a creamy basil pesto sauce—perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
I remember the first time I made pesto chicken bowtie pasta for my family: everyone loved the combination of creamy sauce and tender chicken. It's now one of our go-to meals when we want something special but don't have much time to cook.
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)
- Parmesan cheese: 2 tbsp grated
- 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: as desired
- Fresh basil leaves: as desired
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 to 7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make 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 (optional):
- If using, add cherry tomatoes and baby spinach. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until spinach is wilted and tomatoes are just softened.
- Serve:
- Serve immediately, garnished with toasted pine nuts, extra Parmesan, and fresh basil.
Pin Sharing this meal with my kids reminds me how food brings us together. Even picky eaters are excited when they see this pasta on the table.
Required Tools
You'll need a large pot, large skillet, colander, chefs knife, cutting board, and a wooden spoon to prepare this simple dish.
Allergen Information
This recipe contains milk/dairy, pine nuts, and gluten. Some pestos have tree nuts—always check labels before serving to guests with allergies.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: 580 calories, 25 g total fat, 57 g carbohydrates, and 34 g protein.
Pin This tasty pesto chicken bowtie pasta is always a crowd-pleaser. Enjoy it with family or friends for a comforting meal any night of the week.
Recipe Q&A
- → What type of pasta works best with this dish?
Bowtie (farfalle) pasta is recommended for its shape, which holds the creamy pesto sauce well, but penne or fusilli can be great substitutes as well.
- → Can I use leftover or rotisserie chicken?
Yes, using rotisserie or cooked chicken saves time and still results in a flavorful meal when combined with the creamy pesto sauce.
- → Is there a lighter alternative to heavy cream in the sauce?
Half-and-half can be substituted for heavy cream to reduce richness while maintaining a creamy texture.
- → How do I prevent the pasta from drying out when mixing?
Reserving a bit of pasta cooking water and adding it when combining ingredients helps keep the dish moist and well-coated in sauce.
- → What garnishes enhance the final flavors?
Toasted pine nuts, extra grated Parmesan, and fresh basil leaves bring added texture, nuttiness, and herbal aroma to the dish.
- → Can vegetables be added to this dish?
Cherry tomatoes and baby spinach are excellent to include, adding color, freshness, and subtle sweetness without overpowering the main components.