Description
Savor summer’s essence with bruschetta chicken pasta, a Mediterranean-inspired dish blending grilled chicken, ripe tomatoes, and fragrant basil. Crisp flavors dance on your plate, promising a delightful culinary journey that brings Italy’s warmth directly to your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Pasta and Produce:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (penne, spaghetti, or your choice)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Additions:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze (for drizzling)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare pasta according to package directions, then drain and set aside, reserving some pasta water for potential sauce adjustment.
- Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then sear in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 6-8 minutes per side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Transfer cooked chicken to a cutting board and slice into thin, uniform strips.
- In the same skillet, sauté cherry tomatoes over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until they start to burst and release their juices.
- Add minced garlic to the tomatoes and cook for 30-45 seconds, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Incorporate sliced chicken and cooked pasta into the tomato-garlic mixture, gently tossing to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Drizzle balsamic vinegar and glaze over the pasta, stirring to create a glossy, even coating.
- Remove skillet from heat and fold in freshly chopped basil leaves, allowing their aromatic oils to release.
- Optional: Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top before serving for added richness and flavor.
Notes
- Swap chicken for tofu or chickpeas to create a vegetarian version that maintains the protein and flavor profile.
- Use gluten-free pasta to transform this recipe into a celiac-friendly meal without compromising taste.
- Slice chicken extra thin to ensure quick and even cooking, preventing dry or tough meat texture.
- Let tomatoes caramelize slightly in the skillet to enhance their natural sweetness and develop deeper flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg