Pesto Chicken Bowtie Pasta (Printable)
Tender chicken and bowtie pasta combine with creamy basil pesto and Parmesan for a flavorful meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 12 oz bowtie (farfalle) pasta
→ Chicken
02 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 14 oz), cut into bite-sized pieces
03 - 1 tbsp olive oil
04 - 1/2 tsp salt
05 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
→ Sauce
06 - 1/2 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
07 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
08 - 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
→ Vegetables (optional)
09 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
10 - 2 cups baby spinach
→ Garnish
11 - 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts (optional)
12 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese
13 - Fresh basil leaves
# How-to Steps:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook bowtie pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving 1/4 cup of pasta water, and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then cook for 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
03 - Lower heat to medium. In the same skillet, combine pesto and heavy cream, stirring to blend. Simmer for 2 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
04 - Return chicken to the skillet. Add cooked pasta, reserved pasta water, and Parmesan cheese. Toss thoroughly to evenly coat all components.
05 - If using, incorporate cherry tomatoes and baby spinach. Cook for 2–3 minutes until spinach wilts and tomatoes soften slightly.
06 - Serve immediately, garnished with toasted pine nuts, extra Parmesan, and fresh basil leaves.
# Expert Pointers:
01 -
- One-pot meal
- Freezer-friendly
02 -
- 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.
03 -
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time
- Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency