Description
Bruschetta Chicken Pasta is a vibrant, hearty-yet-light dish featuring grilled chicken, penne pasta, and a fresh tomato-basil bruschetta mixture tossed in a balsamic and olive oil dressing. It’s the perfect blend of comfort and freshness for any season.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound)
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Grill over medium heat for 6–7 minutes per side until cooked through. Let rest, then slice into strips.
- In a large bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, red onion, garlic, and chopped basil.
- Whisk together balsamic vinegar and olive oil in a small bowl. Pour over tomato mixture and toss gently.
- Add cooked pasta to the bowl and mix until evenly coated with the dressing.
- Fold in grilled chicken slices. Season with additional salt and pepper as needed.
- Top with grated Parmesan cheese before serving.
Notes
- Use fusilli, rotini, or farfalle as alternatives to penne.
- Add vegetables like spinach or roasted bell peppers for variety.
- Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled.
- For a lighter version, reduce olive oil slightly or use grilled turkey or chickpeas instead of chicken.
- Add fresh basil and Parmesan just before serving if making ahead.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling, Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
