Bruschetta Chicken

Elevate your dinner routine with this delicious bruschetta chicken! 

Juicy, perfectly seasoned chicken breasts are topped with melty mozzarella and a vibrant tomato-basil mixture. A drizzle of homemade balsamic glaze adds the perfect finishing touch. 

It’s a fresh, light, Italian-inspired, restaurant-quality meal that will impress. But it’s simple enough for any night of the week. 

Try it tonight and transport your tastebuds to the Italian countryside!

Why You’ll Love This Bruschetta Chicken

One-Pan Preparation: This recipe takes only about 30 minutes from start to finish. It’s made in only one pan, so you have less to clean up.

Versatile Serving: Pairs well with pasta, zucchini noodles, or a fresh green salad, making it adaptable for various occasions. You can even slice it for sandwiches! 

Fresh Ingredients: Ripe Roma tomatoes, fresh basil, and a tangy balsamic glaze create vibrant, garden-fresh flavors.

Taste Sensation: The combination of juicy chicken, fresh tomatoes, aromatic basil, and tangy balsamic glaze creates a mouthwatering Mediterranean-inspired dish.

Ingredients

• Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: They’re lean, healthy, and a perfect canvas for the Italian seasonings.
  
• Seasonings: I use Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
  
• Fresh Mozzarella Cheese: It adds a luscious texture and delicate flavor to the chicken.
  
• Roma Tomatoes: They’re firm, meaty, and bursting with juicy, garden-fresh flavor.
  
• Red Onion and Garlic: The dynamic duo provides a sharp, aromatic kick to the tomato topping.
  
• Fresh Basil Leaves: They give the bruschetta its signature fresh taste and aroma.
  
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: It marries all the bruschetta ingredients together in a rich, silky mixture.
  
• Balsamic Vinegar: It adds depth and balance to both the bruschetta and the glaze.
  
• Brown Sugar: Just a hint of caramel sweetness mellows out the acidity of the balsamic glaze.

How to Make Bruschetta Chicken

This is a restaurant-quality dish, but it’s so easy to make at home!

1. Season. Add the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to a small bowl. Mix to combine. Season the chicken breasts on both sides with the spice mixture.

2. Cook. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 6-7 minutes per side until browned and cooked. Top each chicken breast with a slice of mozzarella cheese during the last minute of cooking.

3. Prep the bruschetta. While the chicken cooks, make the bruschetta topping. Combine the diced tomatoes, red onion, garlic, basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Mix well and set aside.

4. Make the glaze. For the balsamic glaze, add the balsamic vinegar and brown sugar to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Then, reduce the heat and simmer for 8-10 minutes until thickened and syrupy.

5. Assemble. Top each chicken breast with a generous spoonful of the bruschetta mixture. Drizzle with the balsamic glaze. Garnish with additional fresh basil if desired. 

6. Serve. Serve immediately with your favorite pasta, salad, and crusty bread for the perfect Italian-inspired comfort meal.

Tips for the Best Bruschetta Chicken

These easy tips will make your chicken even more delicious.

• Quality is key. In-season tomatoes, quality chicken, and fresh basil provide the best flavor and texture. 
  
• Give it a good pounding. Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness for more consistent cooking.
  
• Don’t skimp on seasoning. Season the chicken generously with Italian herbs, garlic, salt, and pepper for maximum flavor.
  
• Drain the tomatoes. Drain the diced tomatoes before mixing with the other bruschetta ingredients to avoid a watery topping.
  
• Hold off on the cheese. Top the chicken with fresh mozzarella slices in the last couple minutes of cooking so it melts nicely without overcooking.
  
• Boost the flavor. Let the bruschetta mixture marinate for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Variations and Serving Ideas

Here are some tasty ways to switch things up.

• Have fun with variations. Try substituting shredded Parmesan or Asiago for the mozzarella. Use grape or cherry tomatoes instead of Roma. Add red pepper flakes or pesto to the bruschetta mix.
  
• Serving it your way. Serve over pasta, rice, or zucchini noodles. Try it with crusty bread and a green salad on the side. It also pairs well with white or light red wine.

How to Store

If you have leftovers, keep them fresh by following these steps.

To Store: Place the cooked chicken breasts in an air-tight container and refrigerate for 3 days. Store the bruschetta topping separately in another container.

To Freeze: Freeze the cooked chicken breasts without the bruschetta topping in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating and adding fresh bruschetta topping.

To Reheat: Reheat the chicken breasts in a preheated oven at 350°Fahrenheit for 10-15 minutes or until warm. Add the bruschetta topping after reheating to maintain its fresh texture.