Baked Bruschetta Chicken

Baked Bruschetta Chicken is an easy weeknight meal featuring tender and juicy balsamic baked chicken that's finished with a fresh bruschetta topping and mozzarella, melted to perfection.

Why You'll LOVE This Recipe

• It's an easy weeknight dinner. Most of the recipe is hands off, with your oven doing most of the work after 15 minutes of prep.
• You can prep ahead much of the recipe, making your busy weeknight even easier.
• Melted cheese - because how you can you ever go wrong with melted cheese? (Sorry to my dairy allergy friends!)
• The bruschetta topping is fresh and flavorful. Plus, since it's a little heavier on the tomatoes than other bruschetta chicken recipes, it actually gives you an entire serving of vegetables in each serving! (Not to mention it adds more flavor!)

Bruschetta Chicken Ingredients

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: These are an easy, affordable protein option that stays tender after marinating and baking. (Tip: buy the larger family-sized pack that's more affordably priced and freeze the leftover chicken breasts for later).
• Balsamic Marinade: You'll likely find most of these marinade ingredients as pantry staples in your kitchen - olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper. It helps add flavor and tenderize the chicken, creating an ultra flavorful and tender bite.
• Mozzarella: Shredded mozzarella is an affordable and convenient choice for a busy weeknight. The melted mozzarella pairs perfectly with the recipe (and if your kids are like mine - they'll love it!).
• Fresh Bruschetta Topping: Super flavorful and simple, requiring cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and garlic. It gets added during the last few minutes of baking to slightly warm it through.

Kitchen Tools You'll Need

• Mixing Bowls (you could also use a large resealable bag for the marinating step)
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Spatula spoon
• Tongs
• Baking Dish
• Meat Thermometer

How to Make Baked Bruschetta Chicken

1. Marinate: In a mixing bowl or resealable bag, combine chicken breasts, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 2 cloves minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper. Marinate at least while oven is preheating, or up to overnight.
2. Preheat: Preheat oven to 425°.
3. Bake: Place chicken breasts in a 9x13 baking pan. Drizzle any remaining marinade on top. Bake 25-30 minutes, or until chicken reaches 160-163° (almost done, but not quite!).
4. Make Bruschetta: While chicken is baking, combine tomato, basil, garlic, olive oil, and balsamic to create the fresh bruschetta topping.
5. Top the Chicken: Remove chicken from oven and sprinkle mozzarella evenly over the chicken. Top mozzarella with fresh bruschetta mixture.
6. Melt the Cheese: Return to oven and bake an additional 3-5 minutes until cheese has melted, bruschetta has warmed, and chicken has reached 165°.

Recipe Q&A:

Can I use other cut of chicken?

You can use whatever cut of chicken you prefer. Different cuts of chicken will affect cooking time and nutrition information.

How can I make Baked Bruschetta Chicken dairy-free?

You can choose to omit the mozzarella or use a dairy-free mozzarella, like Daiya dairy-free mozzarella-style shreds.

What can I use instead of cherry tomatoes?

There are several options! Grape tomatoes can easily be halved and used the same way. You can also chop roma tomatoes or beefsteak tomatoes (drain excess juices). You can even used canned tomatoes - just drain thoroughly before use.

I'm out of fresh garlic, what can I substitute?

Fresh garlic is preferable, but you can use a a jar of minced garlic from the store (½ teaspoon = 1 clove). In a pinch, you can even use garlic powder (¼ teaspoon = 1 clove).

My store sells a pre-made bruschetta -- can I use that instead?

Sure thing!

Could I make this in the air fryer or on the grill?

While you can make bruschetta chicken in the air fryer or on the grill, I personally prefer it baked because baking it in the marinade locks in so much juiciness and creates such tender, flavorful chicken.

If you prefer to use the air fryer or the grill, marinade the chicken at least 1-2 hours or overnight. Then cook until chicken reaches 165°. Top with mozzarella and let melt. Reserve the fresh bruschetta topping to top once the chicken is removed from the air fryer or the grill.

Why is there no red onion in your bruschetta?

Red onion isn't found in traditional bruschetta recipes, and it's not something my family prefers. But if you prefer red onion in yours, of course add it!

Baked Bruschetta Chicken Serving Suggestions

Try pairing this bruschetta chicken with pasta, rice, roasted potatoes, or bread for a carb, and some vegetables on the side, like a side salad.

Some of my specific favorite pairings include Pesto Pasta and Prosciutto Green Beans.

Storage

Leftover bruschetta chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-5 days. Note that the bruschetta topping naturally becomes less fresh and crisp with time.

How to Reheat Bruschetta Chicken

Reheat baked bruschetta chicken in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, until warmed through. Or you can place the chicken with tomato topping and any juices in a skillet on the stove top, cover, and heat until warmed through.

More Healthy Chicken Recipes

• Baked Chicken Tacos
• Pesto Chicken Wraps
• Air Fryer BBQ Chicken
• Pizza Quinoa Casserole with Chicken
• Healthy Sweet and Sour Chicken

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