Creamy Pesto Chicken and Bow Ties

Ingredients and Weight:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 pound bow tie pasta
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup basil pesto
• 1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup grated mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Preparation Time:

15 minutes

Cooking Time:

25 minutes

Difficulty Level:

2 (Easy)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
3. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
4. Transfer chicken to a 9x13 inch baking dish.
5. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package directions.
6. While pasta is cooking, make the creamy pesto sauce. In a medium bowl, whisk together heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, basil pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, salt, and pepper.
7. Pour creamy pesto sauce over chicken.
8. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese.
9. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and cheese is melted and bubbly.
10. Drain pasta and add to the baking dish. Stir to combine.

Nutritional Information:

• Calories: 475 per serving
• Fat: 20g
• Protein: 30g
• Carbohydrates: 50g

Dish Characteristics:

• Creamy, savory, and flavorful
• Cheesy and indulgent
• Perfect for a weeknight meal or casual gathering

User Comments:

• "This dish was absolutely delicious! The creamy pesto sauce was the perfect complement to the tender chicken and bow ties." - Sarah
• "I made this for a dinner party and everyone raved about it. It was easy to make and looked so impressive." - Emily
• "The sun-dried tomatoes added a nice tangy flavor to the dish. I would definitely make this again." - Mark

Special Precautions and Tips:

• If you don't have basil pesto, you can make your own by blending fresh basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• You can add other vegetables to the dish, such as chopped spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini.
• Serve with a side salad for a complete meal.