A vibrant dish featuring golden chicken, al dente pasta, and soft cherry tomatoes with basil, mozzarella, and balsamic.
# Ingredient List:
→ Pasta & Chicken
01 - 12 ounces penne or fusilli pasta
02 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed
→ Aromatics & Vegetables
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 small shallot, finely chopped
05 - 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
→ Oils & Vinegar
06 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
07 - 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
→ Herbs & Cheese
08 - 8 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
10 - ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
11 - ½ cup diced fresh mozzarella
→ Seasonings
12 - ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
13 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
14 - Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
→ Other
15 - ¼ cup pasta cooking water, reserved
# Steps:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package directions. Reserve ¼ cup cooking water before draining.
02 - While pasta cooks, season both sides of chicken breasts with ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper.
03 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken and sear 5–7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F). Transfer to cutting board and rest 5 minutes, then slice into ½-inch pieces.
04 - Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to same skillet. Reduce heat to medium and sauté shallot and garlic 1–2 minutes until fragrant and translucent, stirring constantly.
05 - Add halved cherry tomatoes to skillet. Cook 3–4 minutes until softened and releasing juices. Stir in balsamic vinegar and red pepper flakes if using.
06 - Return sliced chicken to skillet, then add cooked pasta. Toss gently to combine. If mixture seems dry, stir in splash of reserved pasta water to loosen sauce.
07 - Remove skillet from heat. Stir in basil, parsley, Parmesan, and mozzarella until cheese begins melting and herbs are evenly distributed.
08 - Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Transfer to serving bowls or platter. Garnish with extra Parmesan, olive oil drizzle, and basil leaves.
