If you want an easy-to-make meal at home yet delicious and vibrant like restaurant quality, this Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Recipe is what you should check.
Juicy tomatoes, fragrant basil, and tangy balsamic, combined with tender chicken and a generous amount of al dente pasta, make this dish one for everyone.
Let us then step into this fabulous recipe that promises to become a household favourite!
Why You’ll Love This Bruschetta Chicken Pasta
Bursting with Fresh Flavours: Consisting of ripe cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze, every bite brings a taste of summer.
Quick, Simple, and Fast: This recipe cooks in thirty minutes, making it great for busy evenings when you want something homemade but fast.
Versatile: Pick your preferred starch; add some vegetables; give it a vegetarian spin- there are myriad options to try!
Healthy and Satisfying: This is a balanced meal, with lean protein, fresh veggies, and wholesome ingredients, all feel indulgent.
Crowd-Pleaser: A crowd-pleaser for the family dinner table and the dinner table for guests, holding unique beauty and unexpected flavour.
Ingredients
1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
12 oz (340g) spaghettini (thin spaghetti) or your favourite pasta (penne, fusilli, or bowtie work great)
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved (multicoloured for visual appeal)
1/3 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped, plus extra for garnish
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar (or balsamic glaze for a sweeter, thicker drizzle)
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a hint of heat)
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated, plus extra for serving
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 tbsp Italian seasoning (for seasoning the chicken)
1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth (to deglaze the pan)
Instructions
Boil the Pasta
Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until just tender, or any pasta you prefer. Drain the pasta, saving 1/2 cup of cooking water, and set it aside.
Cook Chicken
Add the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the chicken. Heat about two tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
Sear the chicken for about 5-7 minutes, stirring now and then until golden and thoroughly cooked (165 degrees Fahrenheit inside).
Remove the chicken from the heat and place it aside to cool.
Make the Bruschetta Topping
The bowls pour halved cherry tomatoes, chopped basil, minced garlic 2 tablespoons olive oil balsamic vinegar salt and pepper.
Let it stand for 5 minutes after gently stirring to allow the tastes to blend.
Combine
Combine everything in the same pan used to cook the chicken by pouring some chicken broth into the skillet and scraping the bottom to loosen the browned bits.
Once added, the soup to the previously cooked chicken. Finally, add bruschetta topping with red pepper flakes (optional). Stir gently before cooking for 2-3 minutes.
Pizza Pasta
Put the pasta in the hot pan and toss everything together. If it looks dry, add in some reserved pasta water. Toss in the Parmesan cheese and toss again.
Serve
Spoon the pasta onto plates. Serve with additional basil and a drizzle of balsamic glaze over the Parmesan. Enjoy warm with crusty bread or salad right away.
Tips for the Best Bruschetta Chicken Pasta
Fresh Ingredients: True flavors of bruschetta consist of fresh basil and ripe cherry tomatoes. Do not add dried basil into this recipe.
Avoid Overcooked Chicken: Cook it just until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, which keeps it juicy and tender.
Reserve the Pasta Water: The starchy water helps make a silky sauce that clings to the pasta.
Taste It and Adjust: Adjust salt, pepper, and balsamic vinegar according to your own preference to have a balanced flavor.
Make It Quickly: Prepare the bruschetta topping while the pasta is cooking for some quick action.
Variations and Substitutions
Vegetarian Version: You can add meaty mushrooms and zucchini or even eggplant along to give it a good body but omitting chicken for a heavy-duty meat-free variant.
Gluten-Free: Substitute any kind of gluten-free pasta like rice or quinoa-based varieties.
Spicy: Extra heat when sprinkling red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce.
Different Proteins: You can try a variety of protein options, like shrimp or grilled steak.
Pasta Shapes: Try penne, rigatoni, or farfalle for a fun twist.
Cheese Substitutes: For a vegan version, go for a dairy-free cheese made of Pecorino Romano or an alternative to Parmesan.
Low Carb Option: Zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash instead of pasta.
Serving Suggestions
Garlic Bread: It is the crusty garlic bread which soaks in all that flavour from the sauce.
Caprese Salad: Simple salads made up of tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, and balsamic complement beautifully.
Roasted Vegetables: Have with roasted asparagus, zucchini, or bell peppers as an added health benefit.
Dessert: Tiramisu or lemon sorbet can end an Italian-inspired meal on a light note.
Make-Ahead, Storing, and Freezing Instructions
Make-Ahead
Bruschetta topping can be made up to one day in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Do not add basil until shortly before serving to keep it fresh.
Cook chicken and pasta ahead of time and store separately to keep pasta from getting soggy. When ready to serve, reheat and combine.
Storing
Leftover portions can be kept inside an airtight container and refrigerated for about 3 days.
For reheating, wash and put them in a pan with a drop of chicken broth or water to refresh the sauce.
Freezing
The cooked chicken and pasta without bruschetta topping should be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat and add fresh bruschetta topping before serving.
FAQs About Bruschetta Chicken Pasta
Can I use canned tomatoes instead of fresh?
The taste of bruschetta is best with fresh and ripe cherry tomatoes, but if you have none, good-quality canned diced tomatoes will do.
How can I make this dish creamier?
For a creamier sauce, stir in some heavy cream (1/4 cup) or a spoonful of mascarpone cheese at the time you add your pasta.
Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Yes! Remove the red pepper flakes if an easier taste is desired; kids usually like the simple pasta and chicken mix anyway.
Can I grill the chicken instead?
Absolutely! Grilling the chicken gives it a lovely smoky flavour. Just slice it and toss it with the pasta and bruschetta topping.
What’s the best pasta for this recipe?
Spaghettini or spaghetti works well for a classic look, but short pasta like penne or farfalle holds the sauce nicely, too.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the bruschetta chicken pasta recipe brings together fresh, bold tastes with nice weeknight convenience.
Cooking for family, friends, or yourself, you will not fail to impress with this recipe.
Try this recipe tonight, and let your mind take flight to that Italian countryside dinner table. Don’t forget to share your creations with us in the comments below!
Read More:- Honey Pepper Chicken Pasta Recipe
Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb 450g boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 12 oz 340g spaghettini or favorite pasta
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil divided
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes optional
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth
Instructions
- Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, like two minutes short of package timing, and drain, reserving 1/2 cup of pasta water.
- In the meantime, sprinkle the chicken with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and brown the chicken for 5 to 7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Set aside.
- In a bowl, mix the cherry tomatoes, basil, garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Deglaze the skillet with chicken broth. Add the chicken into the skillet and mix in the bruschetta topping and red pepper flakes. Heat for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Toss the pasta with the chicken mixture and add reserved pasta water if needed; stir in Parmesan cheese.
- Serve with some extra basil, balsamic glaze, and Parmesan.