Bruschetta Chicken and Bacon Pasta
Bruschetta Chicken and Bacon Pasta
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 3 garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Balsamic Glaze
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
For the Pasta Assembly
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 8 ounces mozzarella pearls, cut in half
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 pound pasta, such as bowtie or penne
Instructions
- 1
In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried basil, dried oregano, and salt for the chicken marinade. Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish or a gallon-size resealable bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring it's fully coated. Refrigerate for 6 to 12 hours to marinate.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
Preheat a grill to medium-high heat. Grill the marinated chicken breasts for approximately 4-5 minutes per side, or until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove from the grill and set aside to cool. Once cool enough to handle, chop the chicken into bite-size pieces.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 165
- 3
While the chicken cools, prepare the balsamic glaze. In a small saucepan, whisk together the brown sugar, cornstarch, balsamic vinegar, water, and soy sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 3-5 minutes, or until the glaze thickens to your desired consistency. Remove from heat and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min
- 4
Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse with cool water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking.
⏱️ 10 min
- 5
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chopped grilled chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, chopped fresh basil, halved mozzarella pearls, and cooked bacon pieces. Drizzle the prepared balsamic glaze over the ingredients. Gently toss to combine, ensuring all ingredients are evenly coated. You may reserve some glaze for serving, if desired.
⏱️ 10 min
- 6
Serve immediately and enjoy your Bruschetta Chicken and Bacon Pasta!
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Bruschetta Chicken and Bacon Pasta
For the Chicken Marinade
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 3 garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
For the Balsamic Glaze
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
For the Pasta Assembly
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 8 ounces mozzarella pearls, cut in half
- 8 slices bacon, cooked and cut into bite-size pieces
- 1 pound pasta, such as bowtie or penne
Instructions
- 1
In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, dried basil, dried oregano, and salt for the chicken marinade. Place the chicken breasts in a shallow dish or a gallon-size resealable bag. Pour the marinade over the chicken, ensuring it's fully coated. Refrigerate for 6 to 12 hours to marinate.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
Preheat a grill to medium-high heat. Grill the marinated chicken breasts for approximately 4-5 minutes per side, or until cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove from the grill and set aside to cool. Once cool enough to handle, chop the chicken into bite-size pieces.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 165 - 3
While the chicken cools, prepare the balsamic glaze. In a small saucepan, whisk together the brown sugar, cornstarch, balsamic vinegar, water, and soy sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 3-5 minutes, or until the glaze thickens to your desired consistency. Remove from heat and set aside.
⏱️ 10 min - 4
Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse with cool water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking.
⏱️ 10 min - 5
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chopped grilled chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, chopped fresh basil, halved mozzarella pearls, and cooked bacon pieces. Drizzle the prepared balsamic glaze over the ingredients. Gently toss to combine, ensuring all ingredients are evenly coated. You may reserve some glaze for serving, if desired.
⏱️ 10 min - 6
Serve immediately and enjoy your Bruschetta Chicken and Bacon Pasta!