Get ready to transform your ordinary dinner into an extraordinary restaurant-style experience without leaving your kitchen! This TGI Fridays Bruschetta Chicken Pasta is a game-changing recipe that combines the vibrant flavors of fresh tomatoes, tender chicken, and aromatic basil with the comfort of perfectly cooked pasta. Whether you're craving a quick weeknight meal or looking to impress dinner guests, this recipe promises to deliver restaurant-quality deliciousness in just 45 minutes!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 boneless chicken breasts
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients by cutting chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces, dicing fresh tomatoes, and chopping fresh basil.
- Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper, ensuring even coating on all sides.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil, then cook chicken pieces until golden brown and fully cooked, approximately 6-8 minutes.
- While chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
- Drain pasta thoroughly and set aside, reserving a small amount of pasta water for potential sauce adjustment.
- In the same skillet used for chicken, add diced tomatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes to release their natural juices and slightly warm them.
- Combine cooked pasta, chicken, and tomatoes in the skillet, gently tossing to mix ingredients.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the pasta mixture and allow it to slightly melt from the residual heat.
- Garnish with freshly chopped basil and drizzle balsamic glaze over the entire dish.
- Serve immediately while warm, ensuring each serving has an even distribution of chicken, pasta, and toppings.
Tips
- Chicken Cooking Tip: Ensure your skillet is hot before adding chicken to achieve a beautiful golden-brown exterior. Use a meat thermometer to confirm the chicken reaches 165°F for food safety.
- Pasta Perfection: Always salt your pasta water generously and cook until al dente. Reserve a little pasta water in case you need to adjust the sauce consistency.
- Cheese Melting Hack: Remove the skillet from direct heat when adding mozzarella to prevent overcooking and achieve a perfect, slightly melted texture.
- Flavor Boost: For an extra flavor punch, consider toasting your basil leaves briefly in the skillet before adding them as a garnish.
- Balsamic Glaze Pro Tip: Drizzle the balsamic glaze just before serving to maintain its vibrant flavor and prevent it from becoming too absorbed into the dish.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 450kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 95mg
