Bruschetta Chicken Bake Recipe
Bruschetta Chicken Bake is a simple and flavorful dish featuring seared chicken breasts topped with fresh tomatoes, melted mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil. Finished in the oven and optionally drizzled with balsamic glaze, this recipe combines the classic flavors of bruschetta with comforting baked chicken, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.
- Author: Emma
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into large chunks)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or a mix of basil, oregano, and thyme)
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
Toppings
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (or diced Roma tomatoes)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1 tbsp balsamic glaze (optional, for drizzling)
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F) to prepare for baking the chicken dish.
- Season Chicken: In a bowl, coat the chicken pieces with olive oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to ensure they’re well-flavored.
- Sear Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken pieces for 2–3 minutes on each side until golden brown. This step locks in juices and adds flavor, noting the chicken will finish cooking in the oven.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Place the seared chicken chunks into a baking dish, arranging them evenly.
- Add Toppings: Evenly distribute the diced tomatoes over the chicken, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese for a rich cheesy topping.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked through and the cheese has melted, bubbling delightfully.
- Add Fresh Basil: Remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle freshly chopped basil leaves on top for a fresh herbal note.
- Drizzle Balsamic Glaze: If desired, drizzle 1 tablespoon of balsamic glaze over the bake to add a tangy-sweet finishing touch.
- Serve: Serve the Bruschetta Chicken Bake hot alongside pasta, rice, or crusty bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- For best results, do not skip the searing step as it adds texture and flavor to the chicken.
- The balsamic glaze is optional but adds a nice acidity and sweetness that complements the dish well.
- You can substitute cherry tomatoes with Roma tomatoes or any fresh tomatoes available.
- Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to guarantee it is safely cooked.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture retention.
Keywords: Bruschetta Chicken Bake, Italian chicken recipe, baked chicken with tomatoes, mozzarella chicken bake, easy chicken dinner, flavorful chicken bake