Description
Bruschetta Chicken Bake is a simple and flavorful Italian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken breasts topped with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and basil. This baked recipe combines the savory flavors of garlic and Italian seasoning with the freshness of tomatoes and basil, making it perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F) to ensure it’s ready for baking the chicken and cheese topping.
- Season the Chicken: In a bowl, toss the chicken chunks with olive oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated with the marinade and spices.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the seasoned chicken pieces for 2–3 minutes on each side, until they develop a golden crust. This helps lock in juices, although the chicken will finish cooking in the oven.
- Arrange in Baking Dish: Transfer the seared chicken pieces to a baking dish, spreading them out evenly to prepare for baking.
- Add Toppings: Layer the diced tomatoes over the chicken, then sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese to create a flavorful and 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 and turned bubbly and slightly golden.
- Add Fresh Basil and Glaze: Remove the dish from the oven and sprinkle the chopped fresh basil leaves over the top. Drizzle with balsamic glaze if desired to add a sweet and tangy finish.
- Serve: Serve the bruschetta chicken hot, accompanied by your choice of pasta, rice, or crusty bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can substitute cherry tomatoes with diced Roma tomatoes if preferred.
- Searing the chicken before baking helps keep it juicy but can be skipped for a quicker method.
- For a gluten-free option, ensure the balsamic glaze is gluten-free or omit it.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently in the oven or microwave to prevent drying out the chicken.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Bruschetta Chicken Bake, baked chicken, Italian chicken recipe, mozzarella chicken, easy chicken dinner
