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A bowl of balsamic chicken and pasta with grape tomatoes and fresh basil.

The Best Balsamic Chicken and Pasta Recipe

Enjoy a delightful combination of chicken, pasta, and tomatoes with this easy Balsamic Chicken and Pasta recipe. Perfect for warm days, it can be served warm or chilled.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Additional Time 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours
Course Dinner Plate
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 servings
Calories 682 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 ounces fresh basil leaves
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • ½ cup balsamic vinegar
  • 6 skinless boneless chicken breast halves
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground black pepper
  • 1 pound penne pasta
  • 2 pints grape tomatoes halved
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions
 

  • Mince garlic cloves in food processor or blender. Add 1/3 of the basil leaves to the processor, and chop until fine. Pour in 1/2 cup of olive oil, and continue to process until mixture turns light yellow with flecks of basil. Add the balsamic vinegar; process just until combined.
  • Place the chicken breasts in a large zip-top storage bag along with 1 tablespoon salt, 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper, and the contents of the food processor. Squeeze air out of bag and seal. Allow chicken to marinate for 2 hours, or up to overnight, turning occasionally.
  • Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C).
  • Brown chicken in a large skillet over large heat, about 4 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a large baking dish, and place in the oven until cooked through, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove chicken from oven, slice into 1/4 inch strips, and return to baking dish to absorb cooking juices. Keep warm.
  • While chicken is baking, bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Boil the pasta until cooked through, but still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain well. Stir the chicken and the juices from the baking dish into the hot pasta.
  • Thinly slice the remaining basil leaves, and place in a large serving bowl along with the tomatoes. Stir in 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste. Top basil and tomatoes with the hot pasta, sauce, and chicken; toss to combine.

Notes

Any hearty pasta that will hold the sauce works well in this recipe.
 
The chicken can be fully cooked on the grill, if desired. It will blacken from the vinegar, but will taste delicious.
 
For a more colorful dish, use a mix of red and yellow tomatoes.
Keyword Balsamic, balsamic vinegar chicken, Chicken, Pasta