I Made Regis Philbin's Favorite Pasta and It's My New Go-To Weeknight Dinner

Affectionately remembered as "the hardest-working man in show business," the late Regis Philbin was loved by many for his wit, talent and cheerful personality. And while he spent decades on television lighting up the lives of others, according to his wife, Joy Philbin, there was something that really lit him up at dinnertime: his favorite pasta.

The signature dish includes chicken, broccoli and bowtie noodles, but apparently the magic lies in the sauce. That detail—plus Regis's cosign—was all the encouragement I needed to try my hand at making this myself.

Hoping that I would adore this simple dish as much as Regis himself, I hopped in the kitchen and got to work. Here's how it went.

Get the recipe: Regis Philbin's Favorite Pasta

Ingredients for Regis Philbin's Favorite Pasta

For this recipe, you’ll need minced garlic, extra virgin olive oil, boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into strips, broccoli florets, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, red pepper flakes, white wine, chicken broth, butter and bowtie pasta.

How to Make Regis Philbin's Favorite Pasta

Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta. In a large skillet, sauté the garlic in oil, being careful not to burn it. Add the chicken and cook for about 10 minutes. Remove the chicken and cover with foil to keep warm. At this point your water should be boiling, so add the pasta, then get back to the skillet.

Add the broccoli florets to the skillet, adding a bit more oil if needed. Stir and toss the broccoli until it is crisp-tender. Return the chicken to the pan before adding the tomatoes, basil, red pepper flakes, wine and chicken stock. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the butter then cover and simmer over low heat for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat.

Mix in the cooked bow-tie pasta. Add a bit more white wine or chicken broth if the pasta needs more sauce. Stir to blend, and serve with grated Parmesan and crusty Italian bread, if desired.

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What I Thought of Regis Philbin's Favorite Pasta

I must say I was a bit skeptical about making this pasta because the seasoning and herb list was a bit lighter than I'm used to. After tasting it though, I surprisingly enjoyed this dish quite a bit! Each ingredient on the list complemented the other, with the sun-dried tomatoes adding a tangy sweetness that paired wonderfully with the tender, juicy chicken breast. The fresh basil provided a fragrant, herbaceous note that elevated the entire dish.

The pasta was cooked to perfection, and the white wine and chicken broth created a rich, flavorful sauce that tied everything together. This combination of ingredients was a great combination of flavors and textures, making every bite a delight. This is definitely one meal I'd make again.

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