Zesty Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Recipe

Zesty Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Recipe: A Fresh Dinner Delight

Crafting a mouthwatering bruschetta chicken pasta recipe sparks culinary excitement in every home cook’s heart.

Mediterranean flavors dance across your plate with vibrant tomatoes and fragrant herbs.

Fresh ingredients transform simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Juicy chicken pieces intertwine with crisp bruschetta elements, creating a harmonious blend of textures.

Each bite promises a delightful journey through Italian-inspired comfort.

Summer’s brightest produce comes alive in this simple yet elegant dish.

You’ll want to savor every delectable forkful and share this incredible creation with someone special.

Delicious Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Flavor

  • Savor Quick Comfort: Dive into a meal that combines tender chicken with vibrant bruschetta flavors, creating a satisfying dish perfect for busy weeknights.
  • Master Simple Cooking: No advanced culinary skills needed – this recipe guides you through easy steps, making it accessible for home cooks of all levels.
  • Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe by adjusting spice levels, adding extra herbs, or swapping ingredients to match your taste preferences and pantry supplies.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Performance: Watch family and friends enjoy a restaurant-style meal packed with fresh ingredients and bold Mediterranean-inspired tastes right at home.

Ingredients for Bruschetta Chicken Pasta

Main Ingredients:
  • Chicken Breasts: Protein-packed poultry that becomes the hearty base of this flavorful pasta dish.
  • Pasta: Classic pasta serves as the foundational carbohydrate for this delicious meal.
  • Tomatoes: Fresh tomatoes create the vibrant bruschetta-style sauce with bright flavor.
Seasoning Blend:
  • Salt, Black Pepper, Red Pepper Flakes: Classic seasonings that add depth and a gentle kick to the chicken and sauce.
  • Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides a sharp and intense flavor profile to the dish.
  • Fresh Basil: Herb that introduces a fresh and fragrant Mediterranean touch to the recipe.
Liquid and Finishing Ingredients:
  • Olive Oil: Smooth cooking oil that helps sautĂ© the chicken and blend the bruschetta mixture.
  • Balsamic Vinegar: Tangy liquid that adds a rich and slightly sweet dimension to the sauce.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Salty and nutty cheese that provides a classic Italian finishing touch to the pasta.

How to Make Bruschetta Chicken Pasta

Step 1: Boil Pasta Perfectly

Cook the pasta in salted water until it reaches al dente texture. Drain thoroughly and set aside in a large mixing bowl, allowing it to cool slightly while preparing the other components.

Step 2: Season Chicken Masterfully

Generously coat chicken breasts with a blend of:
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Red pepper flakes

Ensure each chicken piece is evenly and thoroughly seasoned for maximum flavor absorption.

Step 3: Sizzle Chicken to Golden Perfection

Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.

Cook chicken breasts for 6-7 minutes on each side until they develop a beautiful golden brown exterior and reach full internal doneness. Transfer cooked chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for a few minutes.

Step 4: Create Vibrant Bruschetta Mixture

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine:
  • Fresh tomatoes
  • Minced garlic
  • Chopped fresh basil
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Additional olive oil
  • Pinch of salt
  • Cracked black pepper

Gently mix ingredients to allow flavors to meld together.

Step 5: Slice and Integrate Chicken

Carefully slice the rested chicken into elegant strips.

Fold the chicken strips into the bruschetta mixture, ensuring each piece gets coated with the aromatic blend.

Step 6: Combine Pasta and Chicken

Add the prepared pasta to the chicken and bruschetta mixture.

Toss everything together until each pasta strand is beautifully coated with the vibrant ingredients.

Step 7: Finish with Cheesy Flourish

Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the top.

Serve immediately while warm, allowing the cheese to slightly melt into the dish.

Tips for Perfect Bruschetta Chicken Pasta

  • Slice chicken diagonally for more appealing presentation and even cooking.
  • Choose ripe, fresh tomatoes for the most vibrant bruschetta mixture, ensuring maximum flavor burst.
  • Marinate chicken in bruschetta mixture for 15-30 minutes before cooking to enhance taste absorption.
  • Use gluten-free pasta for a celiac-friendly version without compromising deliciousness.
  • Add extra red pepper flakes for those who enjoy a spicier kick to the dish.

Flavor Twists on Bruschetta Chicken Pasta

  • Mediterranean Veggie Swap: Replace chicken with grilled zucchini or eggplant for a vegetarian version that maintains the bruschetta flavor profile.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Use chickpea or rice pasta instead of traditional wheat pasta to create a celiac-friendly meal that keeps the original recipe's essence.
  • Spicy Protein Boost: Substitute chicken with spicy grilled shrimp or white fish to add a different protein and enhance the bruschetta sauce's zesty character.
  • Low-Carb Alternative: Swap pasta with spiralized zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a lighter, lower-carbohydrate dish that preserves the recipe's fresh ingredients.

Suggested Sides for Bruschetta Chicken Pasta

  • Picnic Perfect Pasta Platter: Pack this vibrant dish in a portable container for an outdoor lunch that'll wow your friends at the park or beach.
  • Elegant Dinner Centerpiece: Arrange the chicken and pasta on a large white platter, sprinkle extra basil leaves, and drizzle balsamic glaze for a restaurant-style presentation.
  • Quick Lunch Remix: Transform leftovers into a cold pasta salad by chilling the dish and adding extra fresh basil and a splash of olive oil before serving.
  • Mediterranean Mezze Spread: Serve alongside olives, feta cheese, and crusty bread to create a Mediterranean-inspired meal that feels like a culinary journey.

FAQs

  • Is this recipe spicy?

The red pepper flakes add a mild kick, but you can adjust or omit them for less heat.

  • Can I use different types of pasta?

Yes, any pasta like penne, fusilli, or spaghetti works perfectly with this recipe.

  • How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), or cut into the thickest part to ensure no pink remains.

  • Is this recipe gluten-free?

To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and check that your ingredients are certified gluten-free.

Print
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Zesty Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Recipe

Zesty Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 21 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Savory bruschetta chicken pasta blends Italian flavors in a simple weeknight dinner. Fresh tomatoes, herbs, and grilled chicken create a light, satisfying meal you’ll want to enjoy again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Proteins:

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Starches:

  • 8 ounces (226 grams) pasta (penne or spaghetti)

Vegetables and Herbs:

  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped

Seasonings and Liquids:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Cheese:

  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Prepare pasta al dente according to package guidelines, then drain and reserve.
  2. Generously coat chicken breasts with aromatic seasonings, ensuring even coverage.
  3. Sear chicken in heated olive oil at medium temperature for approximately 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and thoroughly cooked through, then allow to rest briefly.
  4. Create vibrant bruschetta mixture by combining fresh tomatoes, minced garlic, fragrant basil, tangy balsamic vinegar, additional olive oil, and complementary seasonings in a mixing bowl.
  5. Carefully slice cooked chicken into elegant strips, then gently fold into prepared bruschetta blend.
  6. Integrate pasta with seasoned chicken, ensuring thorough and even distribution of flavors.
  7. Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the dish, creating a luxurious finishing touch before serving at a warm temperature.

Notes

  • Customize chicken seasoning by experimenting with different herb blends like Italian or Cajun for varied flavor profiles.
  • Toast pasta slightly in olive oil before boiling to enhance its nutty undertones and prevent a bland taste.
  • Choose ripe, vine-ripened tomatoes for maximum bruschetta mixture freshness and vibrant color.
  • Consider gluten-free pasta options like zucchini noodles or chickpea pasta for dietary adaptations.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
  • Method: SautĂ©ing
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 440 kcal
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 350 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 35 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Jack Monroe

Jack Monroe

Founder & Recipe Innovator

Expertise

Pacific Northwest cuisine, Single-serving recipe development, Sustainable sourcing and cooking, Modern comfort food​

Education

Brightwater
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Sustainable cooking, seasonal ingredients, and food systems education


Jack grew up with a fishing rod in one hand and a cast-iron skillet in the other. After graduating from Brightwater: A Center for the Study of Food, he set out to prove that cooking for one could still taste like a feast.
Jack believes that food should feel real: fresh, fearless, and a little wild, just like the rivers he grew up around. For Jack, every single dish is a small adventure, and the best ones are the ones you can cook with heart, not hassle.

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