Save 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 pesto chicken bowtie pasta on a rushed weeknight when I craved something comforting but didn't want a heavy meal. My family was delighted with how creamy and flavorful each bite turned out.
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: as desired
- Fresh basil leaves: for garnish
Instructions
- Cook Pasta:
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook bowtie pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 60 ml (1/4 cup) pasta water.
- Sauté Chicken:
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, season with salt and pepper, cook for 5 min to 7 min until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Make Sauce:
- In the same skillet, lower heat to medium. Add pesto and heavy cream. Stir to combine, simmer for 2 min until slightly thickened.
- Combine:
- Return chicken to 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 min to 3 min until spinach is wilted and tomatoes softened.
- Serve:
- Serve immediately, garnished with toasted pine nuts, extra Parmesan, and fresh basil.
Save This recipe is a hit at our weekend family dinners—everyone gets to add their favorite garnish and dig in.
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 This pasta tastes even better with a sprinkle of Parmesan and a fresh leaf of basil. Enjoy a delicious dinner in under 40 min!
Recipe FAQ
- → What pasta works best for this dish?
Bowtie (farfalle) pasta is ideal for holding the creamy basil pesto and complements the chicken well, but penne or fusilli are good alternatives.
- → Can I use pre-cooked chicken?
Yes, using rotisserie chicken saves time while maintaining flavor and texture in the dish.
- → How do I make the sauce creamy?
Combining basil pesto with heavy cream and a bit of reserved pasta water creates a rich, smooth sauce that coats the ingredients evenly.
- → Are there optional vegetables to add?
Cherry tomatoes and baby spinach provide freshness and slight sweetness, but they can be omitted or substituted as desired.
- → What garnishes enhance the dish?
Toasted pine nuts add crunch, while extra Parmesan and fresh basil leaves boost the herbal and savory profile.