Mozzarella Bruschetta Chicken (Printable)
Crispy chicken topped with fresh tomatoes, basil, and melted mozzarella. A satisfying Italian-inspired meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
04 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Bruschetta Topping
07 - 2 cups cherry tomatoes, diced
08 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
11 - 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
12 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
13 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Cheese
15 - 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
→ Garnish
16 - Additional fresh basil, for serving
17 - Balsamic glaze, for drizzling (optional)
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F.
02 - Pat the chicken breasts dry. Rub with olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
03 - Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes per side until golden.
04 - Combine tomatoes, red onion, garlic, basil, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and black pepper in a bowl to make the bruschetta topping.
05 - Top each chicken breast with a generous spoonful of bruschetta mixture and slices of mozzarella.
06 - Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the cheese is melted.
07 - Remove from the oven, let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with extra basil and a drizzle of balsamic glaze if desired.
08 - Serve immediately with a fresh salad or roasted vegetables.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- Something magical happens when hot melted mozzarella meets cool fresh tomatoes
- Weeknight dinner that tastes like it came from a restaurant but takes 40 minutes start to finish
02 -
- Dont skip the searing step before baking or youll miss out on that texture contrast between crust and tender meat
- The bruschetta can be made up to 4 hours ahead and kept at room temperature
03 -
- Room temperature chicken sears more evenly than cold straight from the fridge
- A meat thermometer takes all the guesswork out of perfectly cooked chicken