Pin Recipe 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 busy Tuesday night when I wanted something comforting without a lot of fuss. The creamy sauce and juicy chicken made everyone come back for seconds.
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 Parmesan cheese
- 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: for serving
- Fresh basil leaves: for garnish
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 5–7 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:
- If using, add cherry tomatoes and baby spinach. Cook for 2–3 minutes until spinach is wilted and tomatoes are just softened.
- Garnish and serve:
- Serve immediately, garnished with toasted pine nuts, extra Parmesan, and fresh basil.
Pin Recipe This pasta quickly became a favorite for Sunday family dinners—everyone gathers around the table for a hearty, flavorful meal and there are always smiles all around.
Required Tools
Large pot, large skillet, colander, chef's knife, cutting board, wooden spoon
Allergen Information
Contains milk/dairy, pine nuts and gluten. Some pestos may have tree nuts. Always double-check product labels if allergies are a concern.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: 580 calories, 25 g total fat, 57 g carbohydrates, 34 g protein
Pin Recipe 
Enjoy this easy pesto chicken bowtie pasta hot with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan and fresh basil. It's a dinner you'll want to make again and again.