I love making bruschetta chicken pasta when cherry tomatoes are sweet and in season. It’s quick, packed with flavor, and easy to dress up. Plus, it always gets rave reviews.
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Amy’s Notes
This Bruschetta Chicken Pasta is one of my favorite pastas using simple ingredients that still feels really special. Here’s why I love it:
- Fresh and Flavorful: The cherry tomatoes burst with sweetness and pair perfectly with the garlic, parmesan, and fresh basil. It reminds me of our Fresh Tomato Basil Pasta.
- Garlicky, Buttery Pasta: The sauce is just melted butter, olive oil, parmesan, and garlic powder and somehow it makes the pasta taste amazing on its own.
- Fast but Impressive: Like my Creamy Bruschetta Pasta, it comes together in under 30 minutes, but it still feels fancy enough to serve guests. It’s one of my favorite dinner party tricks.
- Crispy, Juicy Chicken: Searing the chicken until golden and slicing it thin adds the perfect protein boost. It’s simple but makes the whole dish more satisfying.
- Easy to Make Ahead: The chicken and dressing can be prepped ahead of time. Just cook the pasta fresh and toss everything together when you’re ready to eat.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Angel Hair Pasta – Delicate and quick-cooking, this light pasta creates the perfect base for the fresh, bold flavors of the bruschetta-inspired toppings.
- Parmesan Cheese – Finely grated for easy mixing, it melts into the warm pasta to create a savory, garlicky coating that’s packed with umami.
- Balsamic Vinegar – Adds a tangy depth that balances the sweetness of the tomatoes and richness of the butter and cheese.
- Garlic Powder & Butter – This combo enhances the pasta with a buttery, garlicky finish that mimics classic garlic bread flavor.
- Fresh Basil & Cherry Tomatoes – Sweet tomatoes and fragrant basil bring freshness and color, giving this dish its classic bruschetta flavors.
- Chicken Breasts – Lightly seasoned and pan-seared until golden, sliced chicken makes this a complete, satisfying main course without overpowering the pasta.
Substitutions And Variations
Here are some of our favorite substitutions and variations:
- Pasta Options: I love using angel hair for how fast it cooks, but spaghetti, linguine, or even penne work just as well. Just keep an eye on cook time and make sure it’s not overdone.
- Tomato Swaps: Sweet cherry or grape tomatoes are ideal here, but if you’re in a pinch, diced Roma tomatoes can work too. Just avoid larger watery tomatoes since they won’t hold their shape or flavor as well.
- Protein ideas: I usually go with pan-seared chicken, but grilled chicken or rotisserie chicken is great for saving time. 10-Minute Garlic Shrimp or salmon also pair well with this pasta. Or skip the protein and keep it meatless.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Cook pasta until al dente, then toss with olive oil.
- Mix parmesan, vinegar, seasonings, olive oil, and butter.
- Pound chicken evenly and season both sides.
- Sear chicken 4 minutes per side until cooked.
- Toss pasta with parmesan mix, tomatoes, and basil.
- Slice chicken and serve over pasta.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
Take a look at our best prep-ahead strategies for this recipe:
- Prep the Veggies in Advance: Halve the cherry tomatoes and chop the basil up to 1 day ahead. Store them separately in airtight containers in the fridge to keep them fresh.
- Mix the Pasta Dressing Early: Whisk together the parmesan, olive oil, garlic powder, vinegar, salt, pepper, and butter up to 3 days in advance. Keep it refrigerated and bring to room temperature before tossing with warm pasta.
What To Serve with Bruschetta Chicken Pasta
Bread and Bites
- We love serving this pasta with warm slices of Rosemary Garlic Bread or a batch of Olive Garden Breadsticks to soak up all that buttery balsamic sauce.
- Garlic Cheese Bread is another great option if you’re looking for something indulgent and cheesy on the side.
Salads and Vegetables
- A fresh Chopped Greek Salad or Kale Brussel Sprouts Salad adds a crisp and refreshing contrast to the rich pasta.
- For a warm option, try Easy Roasted Vegetables or Air Fryer Broccoli to round out the meal with color and texture.
Bruschetta Chicken Pasta
Bruschetta Chicken Pasta is reminiscent of bruschetta; serve alongside sliced baguette! It is refreshing, packed with flavor, and can be amped up with chicken or shrimp if you like!
Servings 8
Calories 372kcal
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 8 ounces angel hair pasta
- 6 tablespoons olive oil divided
- ½ cup grated parmesan powder or very finely grated
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 ½ tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- ½ tablespoon garlic powder
- 3 tablespoons butter melted
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves coarsely chopped
- 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes halved
For the Chicken
- 2 whole chicken breasts boneless and skinless
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
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Fill large heavy pot with salted water, and bring to boil. Cook pasta just to al dente, according to package. Do not overcook. Drain and toss with 3 tablespoons olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside and keep warm.
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While pasta is cooking: In a bowl, combine grated parmesan, salt, pepper, vinegar, garlic powder, 3 TB olive oil, and melted butter. Set aside and keep warm.
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Use paper towels to dab off excess moisture from chicken. Place chicken on cutting board, cover loosely with cling wrap, and pound to an even thickness.
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Over medium-high heat, heat oil until very hot. Cook chicken about 4 minutes per side, or just until nicely browned and no longer pink in center. Let rest on cutting board for 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
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Gently toss parmesan/butter mixture with warm pasta. If needed, sprinkle a bit more olive oil. Gently toss in sliced tomatoes and chopped basil. Serve with sliced chicken. If desired, serve with an extra drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
Notes
- You can also use spaghetti, linguine, or your favorite shape of pasta.
- Use sweet cherry or grape tomatoes for the best flavor. Slice them in half so their juices mingle into the pasta.
- Pound the chicken to an even thickness before cooking so it cooks evenly and stays juicy.
- If the pasta feels a bit dry after tossing, drizzle in a bit more olive oil or a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
- Serve immediately after assembling for the freshest flavor and texture, but leftovers also reheat nicely the next day with a splash of olive oil.
- This recipe is part of our Pastas and Pizzas Recipes Collection.
- We love serving it with a side of Rosemary Garlic Bread or Olive Garden Breadsticks.
hearing from you!
Join our Free Recipe Club and get our newest, best recipes each week!Nutrition
Calories: 372kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 1027mg | Potassium: 297mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 618IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 84mg | Iron: 1mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grill the chicken instead of pan-frying?
Definitely. Grilled chicken adds extra flavor and works beautifully in this dish. Just be sure not to overcook it so it stays tender.
Is it possible to make this dish vegetarian?
Yes, just leave out the chicken. The pasta on its own is full of flavor from the parmesan, balsamic, and fresh basil. You could also add grilled zucchini or mushrooms if you’d like to bulk it up.
How should I store leftovers and how long will they keep?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently with a splash of olive oil or a bit of water to loosen the pasta before serving.
More to Cook And Eat
- Chicken Florentine Pasta – Chicken Florentine Pasta is a truly tasty pasta dish is deliciously simple. Bonus: it’s packed with nutrition.
- Creamy Avocado Pasta – This pasta has all you’d want in a creamy-sauced pasta dish, minus the cream. No cream. Just pure avocado bliss. It’s rich, smooth, and light all at the same time.
- Chicken Fajita Pasta – You can have a healthy, delicious, and fast meal with this 20-Minute, One-Pan Chicken Fajita Pasta. It’s a scrumptious skillet meal that’s made for busy weeknights!
- Lemon Garlic Pasta – This Lemon Garlic Pasta is a classic, comforting pasta dish that’s quick and easy to prepare. It boasts a fresh, vibrant, and utterly delicious flavor, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
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