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Chicken Bruschetta Pasta

Course Dinner
Cuisine Italian
Keyword Bruschetta, Chicken
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 4 people

Ingredients

Bruschetta

  • 4 vine-ripened tomatoes chopped
  • 3-4 cloves garlic minced
  • 4 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 10 fresh basil leaves thinly sliced
  • salt to taste

Pasta

  • 1 lb. ground chicken
  • 1 tsp. Italian seasoning more if needed
  • 1 box spaghetti or linguine or your favorite long pasta
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 16oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 cup balsamic vinegar
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • Parmesan cheese to top

Instructions

Bruschetta

  1. Add chopped tomatoes, garlic, basil, and olive oil to a bowl. Stir to mix all ingredients together and season with salt to taste; then set aside.

Pasta

  1. Bring water to a boil and cook pasta to box instructions minus 2 minutes, making sure to salt your water right before you add the pasta. Before you drain and set aside, reserve one cup of the pasta water. The noodles will be extra al dente but will continue to cook at the end.

  2. While your pasta is cooking, prepare the chicken. Heat one Tbsp. of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the additional garlic and ground chicken, breaking it into small pieces and seasoning it with the Italian seasoning and salt and pepper. Cook until no longer pink.

  3. While your chicken is cooking, heat your balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan on medium-low. Let it reduce until it is no longer running and has the consistency of a syrup.

  4. When the chicken is done add the crushed tomato sauce to the pan and season as needed with salt and pepper. Then add the bruschetta and incorporate it into the sauce.

  5. Next, add the pasta noodles to the pan and stir to incorporate. Add some pasta water to the pan, so the noodles can continue to cook and become al dente. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Once the sauce has reduced and the pasta is nicely coated and al dente, it is time to plate. Add the pasta, drizzle the balsamic reduction, and top with Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

For the pasta, I typically cook one minute less than advised on the box. The pasta will continue to cook when it is incorporated into the sauce, which will ensure it remains al dente. 

I also like to time cooking my protein with the pasta so both will be done at the same time. This way I can add the pasta right into the sauce without having to allow it to sit and dry out in the colander.