Tgi Friday's Copycat Bruschetta Chicken Pasta

KeystoneGal06's Note:

My FAVORITE dish from TGIFriday's. I found the copycat and it is delicious. It is super simple to make and don't skimp on the garlic because that is what really makes the flavor. Also, if tomatoes aren't in season use the canned tomatoes in italian seasonings, they work just as well. Add some garlic bread to the side and you're done!

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 4 (4 ounce) chicken breasts
• salt and black pepper (To Taste)
• 1 lb angel hair pasta
• 6 -8 medium size roma tomatoes
• 4 tablespoons olive oil , divided
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1⁄8; teaspoon black pepper
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 10 fresh basil leaves
• 2 garlic cloves , sliced into thin coins
• ½ cup tomato sauce
• 1 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Directions:

1. Chicken Breasts: Season both sides of chicken breasts with salt and black pepper. Grill 3-4 minutes per side for grill marks or until the chicken breasts reach 165 degrees F. Grill right before serving.
2. Pasta: Boil pasta as per directions on box until al dente.Drain and transfer to bowl.
3. Tomato Salad (Step 1): Wash, core and dice tomatoes to 1/4" pieces, save juices and place in small bowl. Wash, dry and cut basil leaves into thin strips. Combine tomatoes, basil, 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, pepper, and minced garlic and hold for 2 hours before use.
4. Tomato Salad (Step 2): Heat heavy bottom saucepan under medium-low flame. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, heat oil for 20 seconds. Saute cloves of garlic, that are sliced into thin coins, in oil (if small use 3) for 45 seconds on each side until soft and tender - do not brown garlic (if brown DISCARD and start over). Increase heat and add tomato salad and stir.
5. Tomato Salad (Step 3): Add plain tomato sauce to pan and bring to a boil. Add pasta to sauce pan and toss with fresh sauce (sauce should just coat pasta). Transfer to a service platter or plate individually. Garnish with balsamic glaze.
6. Balsamic Glaze: Bring to a boil vinegar and sugar in small pan and turn down flame to a simmer Reduce by 75% until sauce turns to a thick syrup, hold at room temperature
7. To serve: Slice chicken breast into strips on a bias (45 degree angle) and place on top of pasta.Enjoy!

Reviews

[Gutilorie]

I first tried this dish at tgi Fridays, and I really liked it. So had to look for copy of it, made this dish for a friend at work, and he really loved it. And he's not a big pasta eater.

[AkDre]

This was always my favorite dinner at TGIFridays. It used to come with shrimp or chicken, so I still make mine with shrimp.
I buy the big bag of uncooked, deveined, detailed shrimp, and broil them in the oven right before the sauce is finished. Once you mix them into the sauce, you want to serve immediately. Leaving them on the burner will make them too tough. I also use the canned tomatoes in italian seasoning for the sake of convenience. Serve over angel hair with garlic bread!

[*Fancy*]

Yum! Probably the most time consuming recipe that I've ever made, but so worth it. Didn't have fresh garlic, but used about 1 1/2 tsp of minced garlic in oil (so I omitted the olive oil). Glad I read the other reviews, because the balsamic glaze DOES take a long time to thicken & I used about 1/2 the pasta amount recommended (I might decrease it even more next time). Overall delicious recipe that is light & fresh! Thanks!