Tag: BRUSCHETTA

BRUSCHETTA CHICKEN PASTA SALAD ~ BLOG 366.250

Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Salad is perfect for backyard BBQ’s, potlucks or as a serve yourself side to a charcuterie board night.

BRUSCHETTA CHICKEN PASTA SALAD adapted from CAFE DELITES who adapted it from her single serve version
1 pound spaghetti
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken tenders
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped basil
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped oregano
½ teaspoon garlic powder

FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon + 1-2 tablespoons avocado oil, divided
2 cloves garlic, FINELY minced
1/4 cup red onion FINELY chopped
2-3 tablespoons QUALITY balsamic vinegar, to taste
8 roma tomatoes, diced
½ cup Parmesan cheese grated, plus more to serve
2 tablespoons each FRESH basil, Italian parsley and oregano, FINELY chopped
3-4 cups torn romaine lettuce
1 drizzle balsamic glaze to serve, optional – I use store bought

  • Cook pasta according to package directions; Drain and rinse in cold water. Transfer to a large bowl, drizzle with oil; toss and set aside.
  • 
Season chicken with the dried herbs, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
  • Heat 1 teaspoon of oil on in a grill pan or skillet, and sear chicken breasts 5-6 per side over medium-high heat until browned on both sides and cooked through.
  • Remove from pan; set aside and allow to rest.
  • Add the remaining oil to the same hot skillet.
  • Sauté the garlic and red onion 1-2 minutes until garlic is fragrant.
  • Turn off heat. 

  • Add in the tomatoes, toss them lightly into the mixture to warm them through and combine all of the flavors.
  • Add the tomato mixture onto the pasta. 
Mix in the vinegar, Parmesan cheese, basil and parsley.
  • Season with FRESH ground salt and pepper to your taste.
  • Slice the chicken and add to pasta.
  • Toss the pasta with all of the ingredients until well combined.

  • Top with more Parmesan cheese and serve immediately with balsamic glaze, OR refrigerate up to an hour before serving.


NOTES:

  • I prefer FRESH copped herbs, but dried work also. Substitute 1-2 teaspoons, to taste.
  • Salad can be served warm – heated through in the same pan as the oil tomato mixture.

BRUSCHETTA AVOCADOS

BRUSCHETTA AVOCADOS – Luscious tomatoes, FRESH basil and red onion are tossed in a balsamic vinegar with a touch of garlic and avocado oil and then gently stuffed into avocado halves for a incredible summer dinner with no oven or stove to heat up the house. Adapted from Cafe Delites

2 ripe Roma tomatoes,finely chopped
2 tablespoons red onion, finely chopped
2 cloves minced garlic
scant tablespoon avocado oil
1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar
FRESH ground salt and pepper, to taste
2 ripe avocados – peeled, seeded and halved
2 tablespoons balsamic REDUCTION – store bought or see recipe below
2 tablespoons FRESH chopped basil
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

  • Combine tomatoes, onion, garlic, olive oil, white balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper in a bowl.
  • Toss well to evenly meld all of the flavors.
  • Arrange prepared avocado halves onto a plate.
  • Spoon the  filling into each avocado halve and drizzle with balsamic glaze.
  • Top with chopped FRESH basil and Parmesan cheese.
  • Serve immediately.

BALSAMIC REDUCTION (homemade)
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon PACKED light brown sugar (optional)

  • Combine brown sugar sugar with vinegar in a small saucepan over high heat and bring to the boil.
  • Reduce heat to low; allow to simmer for about 5-8 minutes or until mixture has thickened and reduced to a glaze.

NOTE: If not using sugar, allow plain balsamic vinegar to reduce for 12-15 minutes on low heat.