Recipe of the day: Bruschetta chicken pasta salad

Pasta salad lovers, this one is for you!

This bruschetta chicken pasta salad can be served as a side or can be enjoyed as a complete warm and delicious chicken pasta dish.

If you love spicy food then top this pasta salad dish with some chilli flakes or your favourite hot sauce to add some spicy zing to the dish.

Bruschetta chicken pasta salad

Ingredients

• 500g thin spaghetti pasta
• 500g boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons red onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 8 Roma tomatoes, diced
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more to serve
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil or parsley
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Balsamic glaze to serve (optional)

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Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. Transfer to a large bowl; set aside.
2. While the pasta is boiling, season the chicken with herbs, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Heat 1 teaspoon of oil 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 on each side). Remove from pan; set aside and allow to rest.
3. Add the remaining olive oil to the same hot pan/skillet. When hot, sauté the garlic and red onion until the garlic is fragrant (about 1 minute). Turn off the heat. 
4. Add in the tomatoes, toss them lightly in the heat to warm them through and combine all of the flavours. Add the tomato mixture to the pasta. 
5. 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.
6. Top with 2 tablespoons of extra parmesan cheese (OPTIONAL) and serve immediately with balsamic glaze, OR refrigerate up to an hour before serving.

This recipe was found on cafedelites.com