30-Minute Chicken Pesto Bow Tie Pasta

This easy, flavor-packed recipe is ideal for busy weeknights, potlucks, or casual family dinners, coming together with just a handful of simple ingredients in half an hour.

Recipe Details

• Prep Time: 10 minutes

• Cook Time: 20 minutes

• Total Time: 30 minutes

• Servings: 8 portions

Ingredients

• 1 (16-ounce) package dried bow tie (farfalle) pasta

• 1 teaspoon olive oil

• 2 garlic cloves, finely minced

• 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks

• 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes (adjust the amount to match your preferred spice level)

• ½ cup pesto sauce (homemade or store-bought both work well)

• ⅓ cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained of excess oil and sliced into thin strips

Instructions

1. First, measure and prep all your ingredients ahead of time to keep cooking quick and seamless.

2. Fill a large stockpot with lightly salted water and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, until it reaches al dente (firm to the bite) doneness. Once cooked, drain the pasta thoroughly and set it aside.

3. While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for roughly 1 minute, until it turns soft and fragrant, being careful not to burn it.

4. Toss the chopped chicken into the skillet, season with crushed red pepper flakes, and stir to coat. Cook the chicken for 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is golden brown on all sides and fully cooked through (it should reach an internal temperature of 165°F/74°C).

5. Add the drained cooked pasta, cooked chicken, pesto sauce, and sliced sun-dried tomatoes to a large serving bowl. Toss everything together thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated in pesto. Serve warm and enjoy.