Ingredients
Scale
Let’s gather our ingredients. You might already have most of these in your kitchen:
- 12 ounces of bow tie pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a little heat)
Feeling adventurous? Swap the chicken for shrimp or add some spinach for extra greens. This recipe is all about making it your own.
Instructions
Ready to bring some magic to your dinner table? Follow these simple steps:
- Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook the bow tie pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Cook the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cherry tomatoes. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the tomatoes start to soften and the garlic is fragrant.
- Reduce the heat to low and return the chicken to the skillet. Add the cooked pasta, basil pesto, and red pepper flakes. Toss everything together until well combined and heated through.
- Finish off by stirring in the Parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Remember, cooking isn’t about rushing. It’s about enjoying the process, even if it means a couple of extra minutes standing by the stove, just like my dad used to do.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Bow Tie Chicken Pasta with Basil Pesto, recipe, cooking, food
