Bruschetta Chicken
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This easy Bruschetta Chicken recipe is bursting with fresh Italian flavors and ready in less than 30 minutes. Tender chicken, juicy tomato-basil bruschetta, and a drizzle of sweet balsamic glaze make a simple yet elegant main.
Nothing beats fresh tomatoes and basil in the summer, but this simple bruschetta chicken is so delicious, I embrace it year-round. Chicken breasts are quickly seasoned, pan-fried, and topped with the most enticing mixture of juicy tomatoes, fragrant basil, and fresh garlic.
This is naturally packed with protein and produce, and brimming with all the fresh flavors that make Italian cooking widely-adored. Tomatoes and basil just belong together!
Simple vs. Celebration
This flexes perfectly from simple dinner to celebratory main. Keeping things easy? Serve the bruschetta-topped chicken breasts alongside salad greens or steam-in-bag broccoli or green beans. Add dinner rolls or buttered noodles if your dinners aren’t complete without grains.
Having company or a special dinner? Use a colorful mix of tomatoes to make the bruschetta even more vibrant, then round things out with with an arugula Parmesan or butter lettuce salad, pesto green beans, and homemade breadsticks or garlic knots.
Ingredient Notes
For a fun and common variation, add a bit of mozzarella or Parmesan cheese. Mozzarella is best melted on top of the chicken while it remains in the skillet; cover the skillet briefly with a lid to help the cheese melt more quickly. Shaved or grated Parmesan is best sprinkled over the tomato topping just prior to serving.
What exactly is bruschetta?
In everyday terms, bruschetta refers to an Italian-inspired appetizer of toasted or grilled bread that is brushed with olive oil, rubbed with garlic, and topped with a tangy mixture of chopped tomatoes and herbs. Fun fact: according to Merriam-Webster, the term derives from the Italian verb brusciare, meaning “to toast” or “to burn”.
Ready to make it?
Grab your favorite skillet and get ready to roll. This bruschetta-topped chicken dinner will be done in less than half an hour and so delicious.
Bruschetta Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano divided
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil divided
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 2-3 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, sliced in half see note
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves slivered
- 3-4 cloves fresh garlic minced
- 1-2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- balsamic glaze see note
Instructions
- Slice each chicken breast lengthwise through the middle, so you have four thinner cutlets. (For the most tender chicken, you also can lay each cutlet flat on a cutting board, cover with plastic wrap, and pound a few times with the flat side of a meat mallet or a heavy-bottomed skillet.)2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Season each side of the chicken breasts lightly with 1/2 teaspoon of the dried oregano, the 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, and a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper.1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, kosher salt and black pepper
- Set a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 Tablespoon each of olive oil and butter.2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 1 Tablespoon butter
- When the butter has melted, add the chicken breasts. Cook chicken for 4-5 minutes on one side, until golden brown on the bottom, then flip and continue to cook until each piece reaches 165°F inside. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
- While the chicken cooks, make the bruschetta by combining the tomatoes, basil, garlic, remaining 1 Tablespoon olive oil, 1-2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar, remaining 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and a pinch of black pepper in a medium bowl. Taste and add more of any ingredient as desired.2-3 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, sliced in half, 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, 3-4 cloves fresh garlic, 1-2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
- When chicken is cooked through, remove from the heat and top each piece with generous spoonfuls of bruschetta. Drizzle lightly with balsamic glaze and serve right away.balsamic glaze
Notes
- Remove chicken breasts from the fridge about 15 minutes before you start cooking, if possible, to bring them a bit closer to room temperature. This helps them cook evenly without drying out.
- Tomatoes: Substitute 3-4 Roma or on-the-vine tomatoes for the cherry tomatoes if you like, just dice them small and scoop out some of the extra seeds and watery insides.
- Balsamic Glaze: You can purchase balsamic glaze at most grocery stores, or make your own by simmering 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan over medium heat for 10-15 minutes. It will reduce to a thick, syrupy liquid. You can add a pinch of brown sugar to the vinegar while it simmers to enhance the sweetness.
Nutrition Estimate
This post was originally published in May 2021 and has been updated with new photos, extra-detailed instructions, and more helpful serving suggestions.
Storage & Reheating
- Store leftover chicken and bruschetta separately, both in airtight containers in the fridge for 1-2 days. The bruschetta will start getting mushy before the chicken goes bad, so plan accordingly.
- Reheat chicken in the microwave on 50% power — this minimizes the odds of it drying out — or in a skillet over medium-low heat. Top with cold or room temperature bruschetta and enjoy again.
More Easy Chicken Dinners
Enjoy this recipe? You’ll also love my creamy garlic chicken, chicken Florentine, Tuscan chicken, and balsamic chicken with spinach, bacon, and mushrooms. You can never have too many options!
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This was such a lovely recipe to try with my sisters and we all loved it.
This looks amazing and so fresh! I love the idea of serving it with a cooling caprese salad for maximum Italian summery goodness! Thanks for the inspiration!
Tried this last week. Fantastic bruschetta recipe. Thanks!
So glad you enjoyed it, Bri! And thank you for taking the time to let me know, I really appreciate it!
This is such a beautiful summer dinner. I love that tomato basil flavor but have never thought to use chicken to make a bruschetta! Can’t wait to try this with my fresh basil.
Thank you so much, Anne! I’m jealous of your fresh herbs – this is definitely a great use for them!
This chicken looks absolutely scrumptious — the bruschetta topping is light and flavorful. This is perfect to help us stay on the healthy track this summer.
Thank you, Lisa! Isn’t it great when a dish that’s healthy also happens to taste amazing??
I am here for anything balsamic!! This looks amazing; I’ve never made bruschetta chicken before, but I need to, this looks epic and so delicious!
Haha, me too, I’ll stand next to you in the balsamic anything line! Thanks so much, Annie!
Hey, I absolutely love this idea of nourishing meals and celebratory desserts!! Couldn’t agree more!! And this chicken is super delicious and creative!!! You are the best!!
Thank you so much, Cam! I’m glad you like the spirit – it’s a great way to live and enjoy food, no? 🙂
What an easy and delicious weeknight dinner for the family! This is sure to be a hit!
Thanks so much, Jessica!
This looks so fresh and tasty, thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Danielle!
Although I’m a huge fan of bread and traditional bruschettas, I love this fancy twist too! Succulent chicken, juicy tomatoes, aromatic herbs – what could be better? For my version, I’d add some mozzarella on top and let it melt for a minute. But even without cheese, this is super delicious!
Mozzarella is always a nice addition! Some shaved Parmesan would be great with this, too!
Everything about this chicken is delicious. Love herbs, balsamic and sweet tomatoes. OMG! Yumm!
Thank you, Savita!