The flavors of Italy shine in this Pesto Chicken Bow Tie Pasta with spinach and sundried tomatoes. It's a one-pot-meal featuring chicken, spinach and sweet sundried tomatoes all smothered in a creamy sauce.
Pesto Adds Flavor to this Pesto Chicken Bow Tie Pasta
I have many Southern Italian friends and dine with them regularly. Not to mention, my own unforgettable visits to this beautiful country, where I fell in love with their cuisine. This one dish was inspired by both, and it can literally be on the table in under 30 minutes. To lower meal time stress is a little pre-planning to make sure you have all of your ingredients on hand. In this dish I chose to take advantage of a prepared deli rotisserie chicken to trim cooking time and stress down to a minimum. If I had to categorize this fabulous chicken dish, it would fall under quick stovetop meals for busy families. Add a side salad and a basket of garlic bread and it's like dining al fresco at your favorite Italian restaurant at home.
Other Inspired Pasta Dishes To Try
Italian makes a tasty meal any night of the week. whether it's a salad, pizza or a one pot meal like this scrumptious bow tie pasta dish it's always a win with my family. Other dishes you my like to try:
- Italian Penne Pasta Salad with ham.
- Saucy Baked Penne Pasta a baked casserole that can be assembled in advance and chilled until baking.
- Hearty Vegetable Tomato Rotini Soup is light and healthy.
- This 25 Minute Chicken Parmesan from The Slow Roasted Italian
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Pesto Chicken Bow Tie Pasta
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 568kcal
Ingredients
- 1 16 oz box bow tie pasta
- 1 cup low fat half and half
- 2 tablespoon light chive and onion cream cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese divided
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 3 cups warm rotisserie chicken roughly chopped
- 4 oz prepared basil pesto
- ⅔ cup sundried tomatoes rinsed
- 2 cups fresh organic baby spinach
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- shaved Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water per the instructions on the box, until al dente.
- In a medium microwave safe bowl, heat the half & half for 1 minute to warm slightly.
- Add the cream cheese stirring to soften.
- Add ½ cup of grated parmesan cheese to the warm half & half and season with salt and black pepper to taste. [The cream cheese will melt completely when it's combined with the hot pasta.]
- Set aside.
- Drain the pasta then pour back into the pot and return to the stove top.
- Over low heat, add the cream sauce, chopped chicken, pesto, and sundried tomatoes to the hot pasta. Stir continually until the cream cheese has completely melted and the ingredients are heated through and evenly coated with the sauce.
- Just before serving, add the fresh spinach and lemon zest and stir until the spinach begins to wilt.
- Serve immediately garnished with Parmesan cheese shavings, if desired.
Notes
Sundried tomatoes are usually packed in oil. By soaking the tomatoes, it will serve not only to soften them but, it will also remove most of the oil. If large roughly chop to bite-size.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 568kcal | Carbohydrates: 67g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 437mg | Potassium: 677mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1579IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 164mg | Iron: 2mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!
My name is Melissa and I'm the Creator of Melissa's Southern Style Kitchen. Cooking, baking, developing recipes and kitchen tips is my passion. I love sharing my dishes and connecting with people through the food that I create.
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dk
I did not have half and half for cream, so I hacked it with milk and melted butter. Beyond that, the recipe worked very well and we had a flavorful and delicious meal that my wife really enjoyed. Thank you very much for sharing, Melissa!
Melissa
Sounds great, thanks!
Sandra McCleaster
Not only delicious, but an absolutely picture perfect and colorful presentation. Made exactly as recipe stated. What a great way to use up leftover cooked chicken. I used homemade pesto that I had on hand, but the jar pesto would work equally well, I would imagine. It's the pesto that really gives this dish its punch. Loved it!
Melissa
Thank you so much!
Linda
Love this recipe Melissa. Perfect for an after work meal.
Melissa
Hi Linda, you are the sweetest, thank you!
Liz
Thank you for the nice and easy recipe. Have a great weekend!
Melissa
Thanks Liz you to!
Melissa
Wonderful, it's good to know you enjoyed it with skim milk. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Lisa
Wow, this is fabulous! I have had this pinned for a long time and finally tried it. Yum! I slimmed it down further by using skim milk instead of half and half, and it was still yummy!