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!
Similar Recipes
- Garlic Herb Butter Pasta with Easy Roasted Shrimp
- Pasta Pomodoro
- Sausage, Brussels Sprouts and Parmesan Pasta
- Garlic Mushroom and Zucchini Pasta with Shrimp
- Mushroom Broccoli Parmesan Noodles
free email bonus
Dinner Made EASY
5 days of simple yet flavorful recipes that take the stress out of dinnertime!
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.
Holly Shortenhaus 03.20.2018
This is a great meal and will go into our meal rotation. I am GF and my whole family (husband and 14 year old twins) ate this and really enjoyed it. I used grape tomatoes and cut the parm amount in 1/2. Thanks
Kristin 03.22.2018
I’m so glad to hear it, Holly! Thank you so much for your review!
Cari 03.19.2018
I have followed your blog for almost 10 years (wow!). Part of what I’ve always loved about your blog is how you blend what’s going on in your life with your recipes. I also love that your recipes are easy to follow and are ALWAYS a hit. And I like your non-recipe posts, whether they’re about your life or tips or great finds.
I do find it interesting that some commenters assume any future non-recipe posts will “mommy blog” stuff. Whatever that means. You are a mom. That’s part of who you are so of course you will be writing about your experience as a mom. You are also a business owner, a cook, a baker, a photographer, a writer, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a friend, etc. Make the blog work for you and your interests, continue to be authentic, and your followers will come along for the ride. Best wishes for what is next for you and your family!
Erica 03.19.2018
Yes yes yes to more “other” “mom” “lifestyle” posts. :)
Robin Flores 03.18.2018
I agree! Love the recipes and lifestyle posts. I have been reading for at least 10 years And feel like we are old friends catching up ?
Lived in Iowa for college and feel like you do a fantastic job capturing the sweetness ofwhat the culture there is like
Jane 03.18.2018
Agreed with the many other posters who would welcome more lifestyle posts — I’ve been reading your blog for, eek, 10+ years?!?, and have always enjoyed your anecdotes and candor. Also, the step-by-step photos are fun, but I wonder if it would also make life easier for you to just post the written recipe, maybe a photo or two of the finished product, and your top quick tips for pulling the dish off? I love your recipes and would not be bent out of shape in the least if they were simplified :)
Congrats on the baby-girl-to-be, so excited for you and your family! Sending you some sunshine from Colorado, and hopes that your boys are taking good care of you while you’re pregnant!
Agnes 03.17.2018
Even though your recipes made me actually get to like cooking, I would love you to have fun with your posts: if it is lifestyle posts, do that – I am sure we will love them!!!
Heather Fay 03.16.2018
Love the idea of more lifestyle posts. Congrats on the girl!
Karla Walsh 03.16.2018
OMG A GIRL! Kristin, I cannot wait to meet her and see your little mini me grow and rock this world. :) Congrats (and let’s catch up soon if you’re free!). <3
PS: This recipe looks so delish. Making soon!
Haley Addis Thomas 03.16.2018
I remember when my husband and I were in the trenches of fertility issues your blog was one of the few that didn’t wax poetic about being pregnant and I appreciated that more than you’ll know.
bean613 03.15.2018
Yes to more lifestyle posts!
Madeline 03.14.2018
My husband has Celiac Disease so we regularly rely on your recipes, local restaurant recommendations, and product suggestions. But also really do enjoy your lifestyle posts. Regardless of how you move forward, would really appreciate the continued gluten free lifestyle and recipe posts.
Nicole 03.14.2018
I would love to see more lifestyle posts. I don’t think publishing lifestyle posts means you turn into a mommy blogger. I am interested in reading about how you feed your kids on the daily, especially tips about feeding toddlers.
Caitlin 03.14.2018
Love the idea of more lifestyle posts!
Barbara Pildis 03.14.2018
I always read the recipe first. If I have time or inclination, I scroll back to enjoy your wonderful way with words about your life. Lifestyle items not my priority.
Donna 03.13.2018
All the lifestyle posts! I ADORE your recipes but I think you’re pretty awesome too?
Courtney 03.13.2018
Just catching up on your posts and saw that you mentioned writing more lifestyle posts – YES, please :) I’ve been a longtime blog reader and I miss your everyday life posts. They are so fun to read and always relatable. Also, congrats on a baby girl – so, so exciting!!
Jen 03.13.2018
I agree and love your lifestyle posts. You do a great job with sharing your everyday life, your thoughts etc and I agree with others that makes it feel like catching up with an old friend. I like favorites, book, day in the life, travel posts. I love your recipes but a mixture is good. In the end I typically search based on what I have on hand or need to make for a special occasion through your recipe finder.
Jenny 03.13.2018
I like the idea of lifestyle posts and recipe posts. I love the posts about restaurants you eat at when you travel.
Megan 03.13.2018
You used to do a “currently loving” post weekly or every other week and I loved it so much. I looked forward to it weekly!!
sam 03.13.2018
I love your recipes but I would relate to a more life based blog with recipes thrown in! I actually enjoy your posts most that talk about your personal life.