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Easy Bruschetta Chicken Casserole: Best 30-Minute Dinner

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A quick and easy 30-minute chicken casserole with fresh bruschetta topping, melted mozzarella, and balsamic glaze. Perfect for busy weeknights when you need a delicious, impressive dinner fast.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 8 oz (225g) fresh mozzarella cheese, torn into pieces
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • Balsamic glaze for drizzling
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for the dish
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.
  2. Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Let sit for 5-10 minutes.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine halved cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, chopped basil, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar. Stir well, add a pinch of salt and pepper, and let sit.
  4. Optional but recommended: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown (not cooked through).
  5. Place seared (or raw) chicken breasts in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Spoon tomato mixture evenly over each piece of chicken.
  6. Tear fresh mozzarella into chunks and scatter over the tomatoes and chicken.
  7. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, until chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F/74°C), tomatoes are soft, and cheese is melted and golden. Tent with foil if cheese browns too quickly.
  8. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and sprinkle with extra fresh basil before serving.
  9. Serve hot with crusty bread, pasta, or a side salad.

Notes

Searing the chicken before baking adds extra flavor but can be skipped if short on time. Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking chicken. Fresh mozzarella is recommended over shredded for better texture. Let the tomato mixture sit while prepping to enhance flavors.

Nutrition

Keywords: bruschetta chicken casserole, easy chicken dinner, 30-minute meal, weeknight dinner, chicken casserole, Italian chicken recipe

Find it online: https://chloeplate.com/easy-bruschetta-chicken-casserole-best-30-minute-dinner/