Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Salad: The Ultimate Flavor-Packed Italian Recipe
Get ready to impress with this incredible Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Salad! This isn’t just any pasta salad; it’s a culinary experience bursting with bold Italian flavors. Imagine perfectly grilled chicken, seasoned to perfection, mixed with sun-kissed Roma tomatoes, robust garlic, and generous amounts of savory Parmesan cheese. It’s a dish designed to delight, offering a vibrant and satisfying meal that’s ideal for any gathering or a cozy night in. For a truly comforting and complete meal, consider pairing it with a warm bowl of our classic Zuppa Toscana.
After many delicious but perhaps lighter options, it was time to unleash a truly satisfying carb-loaded recipe – one that promises to be an absolute showstopper without an ounce of regret! This Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Salad delivers on that promise, big on flavor and guaranteed to be a hit.
The Evolution of a Fan Favorite
While this site is brimming with fantastic salads typically packed with crisp lettuce and wholesome vegetables, there’s always room for something a little different, something heartier. This particular recipe has a special place in our archives. Nearly two years ago, we shared a single-serve version of this Chicken Bruschetta Pasta Salad. It was an emergency lunch staple for weeks on end, and despite being photographed before we truly mastered the art of food photography, that initial recipe captivated taste buds worldwide. The only snag? It was designed for one – a perfect “lazy girl’s” lunch, but one we’ve been eager to scale up ever since.
Fast forward to today, with improved camera lenses and a bit more patience, we’re thrilled to present this enhanced version. This new rendition maintains all the beloved flavors while offering enough to feed a crowd, making you the undisputed star of your next potluck, family dinner, or casual get-together. It’s still wonderfully easy, but now even more satisfying and versatile, as it can be enjoyed both warm and cold!
Why You’ll Love This Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Salad
This Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Salad is more than just a dish; it’s an experience. Here’s why it’s destined to become a staple in your recipe rotation:
- Explosive Flavor: Every bite is a symphony of Mediterranean tastes – savory Italian-seasoned chicken, sweet and tangy tomatoes, pungent garlic, and sharp Parmesan cheese.
- Incredibly Versatile: Whether you prefer it as a hearty main course, a delicious side dish, or a crowd-plepleasing potluck contribution, this salad fits every bill. It’s equally delightful served warm right off the stove or chilled as a refreshing cold pasta salad.
- Effortless Preparation: Don’t let the gourmet taste fool you; this recipe is surprisingly simple to put together. With clear steps, you can create a culinary masterpiece in under 30 minutes.
- Fresh & Wholesome Ingredients: Utilizing fresh Roma tomatoes and aromatic basil or parsley ensures a vibrant, healthy, and satisfying meal.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Designed to serve a larger group, this pasta salad is perfect for entertaining. It’s a dish that guarantees compliments and requests for the recipe!
- Perfect for Meal Prep: Its flavors develop beautifully overnight, making it an excellent choice for lunches throughout the week.
The Key Components of Our Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Recipe
Let’s break down the magic that makes this pasta salad truly special:
- Italian Seasoned Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are generously seasoned with dried basil, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, then grilled or seared until golden and juicy. This forms the protein-packed heart of our salad.
- Garlic and Onion Infused Roma Tomatoes: Ripe Roma tomatoes are diced and gently tossed in an olive oil infused with fragrant minced garlic and finely chopped red onion. Briefly pan-frying this mixture unlocks and intensifies their incredible, sweet-savory flavors, creating the classic bruschetta topping.
- Tangy Balsamic Vinegar: A crucial element that brings a delightful tang and depth to the entire dish, perfectly balancing the richness of the chicken and cheese.
- Parmesan Cheese: Grated Parmesan cheese is mixed into the pasta, adding a salty, umami-rich creaminess that elevates every bite. We also recommend a generous sprinkle more for serving!
- Fresh Herbs: Finally, fresh basil or parsley, finely chopped, provides a burst of fresh, aromatic vibrancy that ties all the flavors together.
Mama mia, what a sensational combination! The interplay of textures and tastes creates a dish that is both comforting and exhilarating.
Add extra Parmesan cheese for that ultimate rich, cheesy finish – and just look at that! The most beautiful and filling pasta creation you could ask for!
Serving Suggestions and Variations
This Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Salad is incredibly versatile and can be adapted to suit your preferences and dietary needs. Here are a few ideas:
- As a Main Course: With its hearty chicken and pasta, it’s a perfectly satisfying meal on its own.
- As a Side Dish: It makes a fantastic side for grilled meats, BBQ, or a summer picnic spread.
- Temperature Versatility: Enjoy it warm, straight from the pan, where the flavors meld beautifully, or serve it chilled as a refreshing cold pasta salad, perfect for hot weather.
- Pairing: As mentioned, it pairs wonderfully with our Zuppa Toscana. Other great companions include a crisp green salad, crusty garlic bread, or a light white wine.
- Low-Carb Option: If you’re seeking a similar flavor profile but with fewer carbs, be sure to check out our delicious Grilled Balsamic Chicken and Avocado Bruschetta Salad!
- Add More Veggies: Feel free to toss in extra vegetables like bell peppers, spinach, or cherry tomatoes for added nutrition and color.
- Herb Variety: Experiment with different fresh herbs. While basil and parsley are classic, a touch of fresh oregano or even mint could offer an interesting twist.
Tips for Making the Best Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Salad
Achieving a restaurant-quality Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Salad at home is easier than you think with these simple tips:
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Al dente pasta is key for pasta salads. It holds its shape better and prevents the salad from becoming mushy. Rinsing it in cold water after draining stops the cooking process and prevents sticking.
- Season Your Chicken Well: Don’t skimp on the Italian herbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Flavoring the chicken generously ensures it stands out in the salad.
- Let the Chicken Rest: After grilling or searing, allow the chicken breasts to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing. This keeps them juicy and tender.
- Bloom the Garlic and Onion: Sautéing the minced garlic and red onion in olive oil before adding the tomatoes helps to release their aromatic flavors, infusing the oil beautifully.
- Warm the Tomatoes: Briefly tossing the diced Roma tomatoes in the warm pan with the infused oil and garlic helps them release their juices and meld with the other flavors, making for a more cohesive bruschetta topping.
- Adjust Balsamic to Taste: Balsamic vinegar adds a wonderful tang, but personal preference varies. Start with the recommended amount and add more if you desire a stronger, tangier dressing.
- Use Fresh Herbs: Fresh basil or parsley makes a huge difference in the overall freshness and aroma of the salad. While dried herbs are used for the chicken, fresh ones are essential for the bruschetta topping.
- Serve Immediately or Chill: While this salad can be served warm, it’s also excellent chilled. If serving cold, allow it to refrigerate for at least an hour for the flavors to fully meld.
Watch Our Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Salad Being Made Right Here!
See exactly how easy and delicious this recipe is by watching our step-by-step video. It’s the perfect way to visualize each stage of the preparation and ensure your salad turns out perfectly every time.
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Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound spaghetti pasta thin, dry weight
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts 2 large breasts
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 pinch salt to taste
- 1 pinch pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons red onion finely chopped, about 1/3 of a red onion
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar adjust to your tastes
- 8 roma tomatoes diced
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated, plus more to serve
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil or parsley, finely chopped
- 1 pinch salt to taste
- 1 pinch pepper to taste
- 1 drizzle balsamic glaze to serve, optional – I use store bought
Instructions
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Cook pasta according to package directions; Drain and rinse in cold water. Transfer to a large bowl; set aside.
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While the pasta is boiling, season chicken with the herbs, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Heat 1 teaspoon of oil on in a grill pan or skillet, and sear chicken breasts over medium-high heat until browned on both sides and cooked through (about 6 minutes each side). Remove from pan; set aside and allow to rest.
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Add the remaining olive oil to the same hot pan / skillet. When hot, sauté the garlic and red onion until garlic is fragrant (about 1 minute). Turn off heat.
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Add in the tomatoes, toss them lightly in the heat to warm them through and combine all of the flavours. Add the tomato mixture onto the pasta.
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Mix in the vinegar, parmesan cheese and basil (or parsley). Season with salt and pepper to your taste. Slice the chicken; add to pasta. Toss the pasta with all of the ingredients until well combined.
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Top with 2 tablespoons of extra parmesan cheese (OPTIONAL) and serve immediately with balsamic glaze, OR refrigerate up to an hour before serving.
Notes
Salad can be served warm (heated through in the same pan as the olive oil tomato mixture) OR cold as described in the recipe.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
We hope you enjoy this vibrant and flavorful Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Salad as much as we do. It’s a testament to how simple, fresh ingredients can come together to create something truly extraordinary. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or simply looking for a delicious weeknight meal, this recipe is sure to become a beloved addition to your culinary repertoire. Don’t forget to share your creations and let us know what you think!