Skillet Bruschetta Chicken Pasta
My skillet Bruschetta chicken pasta combines perfectly seasoned chicken perfectly cooked pasta and a super fresh tomato-basil topping for a restaurant-quality dinner that's ready in 30 minutes. It's like eating your favorite appetizer and main course in one satisfying bowl.
I love easy dinners like my chicken chipotle pasta, one pot sausage pasta, and my sun dried tomato pasta. Another favorite: this easy chicken bruschetta pasta version transforms your favorite bright zingy appetizer into a proper dinner. It has juicy chicken, perfectly cooked pasta and that fresh tomato, basil and garlic topping. It's comfort food that still feels fresh and vibrant. We love that it's ready in just 30 minutes too. Everything warms through just enough to release those amazing aromas without cooking the tomatoes into mush. That final drizzle of balsamic glaze gives it a restaurant-quality finish. Don't skip the crusty bread for sopping up every drop.
Why This Recipe Works
- Uses diced chicken instead of whole breasts: Chicken breasts are easy to overcook which can make them dry and rubbery. Using diced chicken helps everything cook up quickly and helps the chicken stay nice and juicy.
- Cooked Tomato Sauce: When testing this recipe with raw tomatoes the sauce was super thin and watery sauce. Cooking the tomatoes reduces and thickens the sauce as they cook to make sure the sauce it thick and sticks to your pasta.
- Homemade Balsamic Glaze: You can control the thickness and level of sweetness. It's also a lot more affordable than those pricey bottles from the supermarket.
Ingredient Notes and Shopping Tips
- Pasta: Farfalle (bow ties) is my favorite, but penne or rigatoni will also grab onto the tomato mixture nicely. Be sure to cook it just until al dente. It'll finish cooking in the sauce.
- Tomatoes: Choose firm, ripe tomatoes. I like using Roma. If it's winter and tomatoes are not at their best cherry tomatoes usually have better flavor year-round.
- Parmesan: Skip the pre-grated stuff in the green container. Freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano melts better and tastes way better. It's worth the extra two minutes of grating I promise.
- Balsamic Glaze: Start with a good quality balsamic vinegar. I like Costco's. Cook until it reduces by half and coats a spoon. You could also use a store bought glaze if you prefer.
Krystle's Tips: Steal My Culinary School Secrets
- Salt pasta water generously until it tastes like salty broth. This is the only way to season your noodles and can't be added later.
- Sear chicken in batches if your pan is crowded. Overcrowded pans steam instead of sear, and you'll miss out on that golden crust.
- Add Parmesan off-heat to prevent the cheese from clumping.
- Don't overcook your chicken. I pull my chicken at 160 °F. Carryover cooking with allow to reach 165 degrees as it rests.
FAQs
Fresh is really best here, but you can use canned tomatoes. Just be sure to drain them first.
More Easy Dinners
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📖 Recipe
Skillet Bruschetta Chicken Pasta
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Ingredients
- 1 Pound Bow Tie Pasta
- 6 Roma Tomatoes Chopped
- Large Handful of Fresh Basil Leaves Roughly Torn
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- Salt & Pepper To Taste
- ½ Tablespoon Garlic Minced
- 2 Chicken Breasts Diced
- ½ Cup Tomato Sauce
- ½ Cup Balsamic Vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons White Sugar
- ¼ Cup Parmesan Cheese Grated
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions.
- In a medium bowl stir together tomatoes, basil, olive oil, garlic, and salt/pepper to taste.
- Lightly grease skillet with olive oil. Add chicken and ,cook 7-8 minutes or until cooked through.
- Remove chicken to a plate, add tomato mixture to skillet and sauté for 1 minute.
- Pour in tomato mixture, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook 3-5 more minutes.
- Fold in chicken and cooked pasta.
- In a separate sauce pan, combine vinegar and sugar. Bring to a boil and cook 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat, and cook for 2 more minutes.
- Drizzle balsamic glaze over pasta. Top with Parmesan cheese and more fresh basil desired.
Nutrition
I will be trying this with tofu instead of chicken (or would any other substitution work better?)
Hi Vidya,
Please let us know how it goes. Meat or veggie sausage would also be tasty I think!
Yes to easy dinners! My work schedule has been really crazy that I barely have time to cook at night; thus, recipes like this are very welcome.
Thank you for the tip on diced chicken and the parmesan cheese. I had no idea they made a difference.
Easy but tastes Gourmet.