Description
Bruschetta Chicken Pasta is a vibrant and flavorful dish that combines tender chicken breasts with a fresh tomato and basil bruschetta sauce, tossed with your favorite pasta and topped with Parmesan cheese. This recipe features a perfect balance of savory, tangy, and aromatic flavors, making it a delightful and satisfying meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Bruschetta Sauce
- 2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pasta
- 12 oz (340g) penne or fettuccine pasta
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional: red pepper flakes for heat
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides to enhance their flavor.
- Cook the chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until fully cooked and golden brown. Remove from the pan and set aside to rest.
- Sauté garlic: In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Lower the heat and sauté the minced garlic for about 1 minute, taking care not to burn it.
- Cook tomatoes: Add the halved tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until they soften and release their juices.
- Add seasonings: Stir in the balsamic vinegar, chopped basil leaves, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Cook pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente.
- Drain pasta: Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the cooking water for later use.
- Toss pasta with sauce: Transfer the pasta into the skillet with the tomato mixture. Toss to combine, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
- Combine chicken and pasta: Slice the rested chicken breasts into thin strips and add them to the pasta. Toss thoroughly to mix everything evenly.
- Serve: Serve the Bruschetta Chicken Pasta hot, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
- Use fresh basil for the best flavor in the bruschetta sauce.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency as needed.
- Red pepper flakes are optional but add a nice spicy kick.
- Chicken breasts can be substituted with chicken thighs for a juicier texture.
- Ensure the pasta is cooked al dente to maintain the perfect bite texture.
