Lemon and Basil Pasta with Chicken

For my birthday last year, I received a bottle of Strawberry Balsamic Vinegar along with a gift card to a local Specialty Vinegar and Oil store.  I have to admit, I was totally intimidated.  Sure, I cook with Olive Oil quite often, but I'd never used these fancy flavored vinegars and oils. 

Mike and I ventured to the store one afternoon, not really knowing what to expect.  Thankfully, the store was run by a knowledgeable and patient lady.  She took the time to figure out what kind of cook I am, and then suggest vinegar and oil pairings that might appeal to us.  I left the store with a swarm of ideas forming, and a new love for flavored vinegars and oils.

I plan to use the Strawberry Balsamic as a base for salad dressings and as a drink flavoring.  Yes, you read that right...apparently if you mix the fruit flavored vinegars into tonic water, it creates a delicious drink.  I'll be trying it as soon as I buy some tonic water.  I used my gift certificate to purchase a bottle of Sicilian Lemon Balsamic and Basil Extra-Virgin Olive Oil.  We had taste-tested a combination of the two at the store and really enjoyed it.  The store worker suggested that I use the combination over hot pasta.  I created this Lemon and Basil Pasta with Chicken, and Mike and I both really enjoyed it.  Since I have a lot of oil and vinegar left, we'll be making this quite often, and experimenting with other dishes!

Lemon and Basil Pasta with Chicken

Serves 4

Ingredients:
1 (16 ounce) box of rotini pasta
3 Tablespoons Lemon Balsamic vinegar
3 Tablespoons Basil Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon basil
2 Tablespoons Parmesan cheese
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
2 chicken breasts, cooked and sliced

1.  Cook the pasta according to the directions on the box and drain.

2.  While the pasta is still hot, drizzle the Lemon Balsamic over the pasta and toss.

3.  Drizzle the Basil EVOO over the warm pasta and toss.  (If the pasta appears too dry, add equal amounts of Balsamic and EVOO to reach your desired taste and amount of sauce.)

4.  Stir in salt, basil, and Parmesan cheese.

5.  Just before serving, add in the halved tomatoes and sliced chicken breasts.

Serve hot or cold.