Bowtie Pesto Pasta
Using pasta, pesto, and a few other ingredients, this is a great family meal to whip up for a quick dinner!
Ingredients
For the pasta
- 12 oz box of bowtie pasta
- 2 teaspoons salt, added to boiling water while cooking pasta
- 2-3 teaspoons chicken bouillon powder, optional
- 2-3 Tablespoons butter, optional
- 1/2 cup cream, or whole milk, optional
- 6-8 oz pesto, the higher the quality, the better the result
- garbanzo beans or chickpeas, for optional protein in place of chicken if desired. Otherwise, omit
Pasta topping
- balsamic glaze
- fresh parmesan cheese, shredded
For the chicken
- 4-5 chicken tenderloins
- a few Tablespoons olive oil
- a few Tablespoons lemon pepper
- a few Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Instructions
To make the pasta
- Boil pasta with salt according to package directions.
- Drain pasta, leaving a few tablespoons or more of water in the pot. Return pasta to pot.
- If using the bouillon powder, butter, and cream, add to pasta. Stir to combine.
- Add pesto. Stir.
- If using chickpeas add to pasta, and stir.
- Plate the pasta (if serving with chicken, keep pasta warm on low heat until chicken is ready to serve). Top with parmesan cheese and balsamic vinegar.
To make the chicken
- Using a paper towel to hold the end of the white tendon, take a fork and string it along with the tendon inside to remove the tendon. See video demonstration above.
- In a large frying pan add the olive oil and heat until warm.
- Lay each tenderloin in the pan without crowding it.
- Sprinkle the lemon pepper on each tenderloin, and cook for a few minutes until browned.
- Turn the tenderloins over and sprinkle again with lemon pepper.
- When opposite side is browned, add the balsamic vinegar to the pan. Allow the tenderloins to absorb the brown color as desired. Flip tenderloin over and repeat. Chicken is done with interior temperature reaches 165℉. Slice chicken if desired. Serve atop pasta.
Notes
The bouillon powder, butter, and cream are optional ingredients that add flavor but are not essential to the dish. Our family loves it best when I add them.
The chicken goes well with many dishes, not just this pesto pasta. Try it on fettucini alfredo or a green salad.