20 Minute Creamy Pesto Chicken and Bow Ties
Whip up a restaurant-quality meal in just 20 minutes with this irresistible Creamy Pesto Chicken and Bow Tie Pasta recipe! Featuring tender, perfectly seared chicken breast and al dente bow tie pasta, all bathed in a luscious, garlicky pesto cream sauce, this dish is the ultimate comfort food made simple. With minimal prep and a rich blend of heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and bold, herbaceous pesto, every bite bursts with indulgent flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights or a quick dinner party centerpiece, this easy-to-make recipe guarantees smiles around the table. Garnish with fresh basil for a vibrant finishing touch, and enjoy a quick yet gourmet experience that will leave everyone asking for seconds!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz Bow tie pasta (farfalle)
- 1 lb Chicken breast, diced
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 0.5 cup Pesto
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 0.5 tsp Salt
- 0.25 tsp Black pepper
- 2 tbsp Fresh basil (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook bow tie pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced chicken breasts and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium and add minced garlic. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
Reduce heat to low. Stir in heavy cream, pesto, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Cook the sauce for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until well combined and heated through.
Add the cooked chicken back into the skillet, followed by the drained pasta. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are coated in the creamy pesto sauce. If the sauce is too thick, stir in a bit of the reserved pasta water until the desired consistency is reached.
Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed.
Serve immediately, garnishing with fresh basil and extra Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
888 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 45.5 g | 58% | |
| Saturated Fat | 17.3 g | 87% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 164 mg | 55% | |
| Sodium | 605 mg | 26% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 66.5 g | 24% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 3.6 g | 13% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.1 g | ||
| Protein | 49.8 g | 100% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 141 mg | 11% | |
| Iron | 3.3 mg | 19% | |
| Potassium | 440 mg | 9% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
