Pesto Chicken Bowtie Pasta

A vibrant, flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken, bowtie pasta, and a creamy basil pesto sauce—perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

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
• Sauce: 120 g (1/2 cup) basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
• Heavy cream: 120 ml (1/2 cup)
• Grated Parmesan cheese: 2 tbsp
• Vegetables (optional): 120 g (1 cup) cherry tomatoes, halved
• Baby spinach: 60 g (2 cups)
• 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.

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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

Enjoy this vibrant and flavorful pesto chicken bowtie pasta, a perfect weeknight meal.

Recipe FAQ

→ How can I make the sauce lighter?

Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream or substitute with your favorite milk alternative for reduced richness.

→ Can I use other pasta shapes?

Penne, fusilli, or rotini work well in place of bowtie pasta, maintaining texture and sauce coverage.

→ What vegetables can I add?

Cherry tomatoes and baby spinach blend seamlessly, but bell peppers or peas are also excellent additions.

→ How can I save time with chicken?

Rotisserie chicken or precooked chicken strips can replace fresh chicken breasts for a quicker meal.

→ What wine pairs well?

A crisp white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, complements the creamy basil and chicken flavors.

→ Are there allergen concerns?

Pasta contains gluten, and pesto, cream, and Parmesan include dairy. Pine nuts or tree nuts may be present in pesto.