As much as I want to tell you about the life-changing pair of maternity leggings I recently bought (umm, will totally still be wearing these post-baby!) I’ll spare you and share this light and healthy Bruschetta Chicken Pasta recipe instead!
A homemade bruschetta mixture – chopped tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, fresh basil, and tons of minced garlic – is quickly simmered to create a light and silky sauce for cooked spaghetti noodles. Topped with a little parmesan cheese, balsamic reduction, and sauteed chicken cutlets, this is a 20-minute dish the whole family will eat without complaint.
This recipe is actually from the IGE archives. We’re talking 2011, dark photos, no recipe – just an obnoxious collection of photos and words. Hey, I guess not much has changed! Har. Anyway, the dish deserves a repost not only because it is so, so simple but because it’s just what I crave around this time of year. The sun is staying out longer and longer each day and I find myself pushing aside heavier comfort food recipes for simple, toss together suppers that are easy on the waistline, and sourced mostly from the garden or Farmer’s Market. Winning!
How to Make This Recipe
Start by making the bruschetta mixture – it is incredible. In a bowl combine chopped Roma tomatoes, chopped fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, fresh garlic, tons of salt and pepper, plus a pinch of sugar. Set aside or refrigerate overnight.
Next add gluten free spaghetti to a large pot of salted, boiling water, then cook until al dente. Drain then set aside.
Around the time you drop the pasta into the water, place a large skillet over medium-high heat then mist or spray with extra virgin olive oil or nonstick spray. Add chicken breasts that have sliced into cutlets (ie sliced in half lengthwise) then seasoned with garlic salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning and saute for 2-3 minutes a side or until cooked through. Remove to a plate then set aside.
Turn the heat down to medium then remove the skillet from the heat to cool for a couple of minutes, and then add the bruschetta mixture. Saute for 2-3 minutes or until the tomatoes are heated through and the sauce is slightly thickened.
Finally, add the cooked pasta into the skillet plus freshly grated parmesan cheese then toss to combine. Taste then add salt if necessary.
Scoop the pasta into bowls then drizzle with a wee bit of balsamic reduction if you please (you can find this in bottles at the grocery store or make your own) and top with a sliced chicken cutlet. EASY, you guys!!! So, so easy, and even more delicious. I hope you love this light and yummy dish. Enjoy!
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Bruschetta Chicken Pasta
Description
Bruschetta Chicken Pasta is a light and fresh dinner recipe that's quick cooking too. Prep ahead and dinner will be on the table in just 15 minutes!
Ingredients
- 10oz gluten-free spaghetti
- 2 chicken breasts, sliced into cutlets
- Italian seasoning, garlic salt, and pepper
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
- balsamic reduction, optional
- For the bruschetta mixture:
- 6 Roma tomatoes, chopped with juices (about 3 cups)
- 1/4 cup packed fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 3 cloves garlic, microplaned or minced
- salt and pepper
- pinch of sugar
Directions
- Stir together ingredients for bruschetta in a bowl then set aside. Can be made a day ahead of time.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil then salt heavily and add spaghetti. Cook until al dente then drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat then mist or spray with extra virgin olive oil or nonstick spray. Season chicken on both sides with Italian seasoning, garlic salt, and pepper then saute for 2-3 minutes a side or until cooked through. Remove to a plate then set aside. Turn heat down to medium then remove skillet from heat to cool slightly.
- Return skillet to heat then add bruschetta mixture and simmer for 2-3 minutes or until tomatoes are heated through and juices are slightly thickened. Add pasta and parmesan cheese then toss to combine. Taste then add salt if necessary. Scoop into bowls then top with more parmesan cheese, balsamic reduction if using, and chicken, then serve.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Megan 03.09.2018
Yes to lifestyle posts! I honestly prefer them to cooking. :)
CJ 03.09.2018
Yes to lifestyle posts! Or any kind of posts from you.
Kerri 03.09.2018
I would love to see lifestyle posts, especially a maternity favorites post! :)
Melanie 03.09.2018
I would love more lifestyle posts! I enjoy your recipes but also appreciate hearing about what’s going on in your life. I have always liked the “currently” blog posts.
Erin 03.09.2018
Would LOVE more lifestyle posts-they are my fav to read!!!!
Rebecca 03.09.2018
YES to more lifestyle posts!
Brittany 03.09.2018
I would love to see more lifestyle posts! I agree with earlier comments that I love reading about you and your story as well. I follow you on Instagram and your boys are just the cutest!
Becca 03.09.2018
Yes to more lifestyle posts! Thanks Kristin.
Nell 03.09.2018
What gluten free spaghetti do you use? Every spaghetti I’ve tried has been a gooey mess so I’ve stuck to penne or rotini.
Congrats on baby #3. Such a blessing!
I love lifestyle posts- clothes, decorating ideas, other people’s travel photos. Plus, I love it when you talk about Iowa. I started following you when I moved from Iowa to Virginia 8 years ago. Your posts about Iowa – such as the one about Maid Rites, give me a warm fuzzy reminder of “home”. I also stock away your recommendations on places you visit or eat for my next trip back to see family.
Renee 03.09.2018
We’ve liked the Barilla brand gluten free spaghetti.
Sara Burnette 03.09.2018
I love any kind of post from you! Many of my favorite go-to recipes are yours (and we’re not gluten free). I recommend your blog all the time. So please keep blogging about great recipes, but I love to read lifestyle posts too. You should definitely blog about what is inspiring you! My boys are 11 and 13 so I am out of the toddler and baby trenches, but it’s fun to remember those days through your stories!
Bonnie 03.09.2018
Agree with everyone on enjoying the lifestyle posts along with the recipes, but I find that reading content that isn’t consumer-driven is the most enjoyable and uplifting. I don’t want to spend my down time “shopping” (because shopping is not how I spend my time nor my money). Your Friday Favorites were a post I looked forward to – and still pull up each month to review a few for other recipes. I think now I look more toward contentment in what we have in our lives as a whole, not items. But in all honesty, I will still long for healthy, pantry-friendly recipes that you’ve created or modified to be peppered in between the other posts! I must recommend your site every week when someone at work is asking what a particular leftover is that I’ve brought in.
Kelly 03.09.2018
Would LOVE more lifestyle posts!
Alice 03.09.2018
Yes! I love lifestyle posts and am in the trenches of pregnancy and toddlers so I would love to hear about the kiddos and maternity must-haves!
Melissa 03.09.2018
Yum, this recipe sounds great and I love the simple ingredients! Also, congrats on finding out your third child is a girl, it’s so exciting and I’m very happy for you and your family!
Tanya 03.09.2018
Yes to more lifestyle posts! Love them and love your family. Also, last week, my meal prep came entirely from your blog, I love your recipes so much!
Rachael 03.09.2018
I would love more lifestyle posts. Our boys are the same age, so close it’s crazy. I can relate so much and also love your tips and ideas. I have been reading for years (since 2012 I think) and will continue to!
Dana 03.09.2018
1. YES to lifestyle posts ( kids, fashion, home, thoughts, entertaining, etc….)! I love that idea! 2. Congratulations on your baby GIRL. You’re going to love having a girl in the house. 3. Your grandma! wow to 99 and still telling stories of childhood. 4. This reminds me of another recipe of yours that I make all the time and don’t know what you called it bc I have the recipe memorized ( pounded thin chicken breast, sautéed, topped with bruschetta, avocado, fresh mozzarella, in the oven to melt the cheese) . That’s so good and now I’ll use this homemade bruschetta topping instead of buying pre-made.
Margo 03.09.2018
Love the idea of more lifestyle posts!
Angela 03.09.2018
Not that I don’t love food but your lifestyle posts are my favorite. I’ve been a reader since I think 2009/10 and the posts about your everyday life make me feel like I’m catching up with an old friend, and I look forward to them. :)
Kari 03.09.2018
I agree! It was really how we got to “know” her.
Emily 03.09.2018
I’m a mom of 3 kids as well and would enjoy reading your lifestyle posts.