Pesto Bruschetta Chicken (Print Version)

Tender chicken topped with pesto, fresh tomato bruschetta and melted mozzarella. Ready in 40 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.3 pounds)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon salt
04 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
05 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

→ Pesto

06 - 4 tablespoons basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)

→ Bruschetta Topping

07 - 3 medium ripe tomatoes, diced
08 - ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
11 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
12 - 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
13 - ½ teaspoon salt
14 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper

→ Cheese

15 - 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese (about 5 ounces)

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish or sheet pan with cooking spray or oil.
02 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Rub each breast with olive oil, then season evenly with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Place seasoned chicken in the prepared baking dish.
03 - Spoon 1 tablespoon basil pesto over each chicken breast, spreading evenly to cover the top surface.
04 - Bake chicken for 15 minutes until lightly browned and partially cooked through.
05 - While chicken bakes, combine diced tomatoes, red onion, minced garlic, chopped basil, extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Toss thoroughly to combine and set aside to allow flavors to meld.
06 - Remove chicken from oven after 15 minutes. Top each breast with one-quarter of the bruschetta mixture, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly over all pieces.
07 - Return to oven and bake for 8-10 minutes until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F and cheese is melted and bubbly with slight browning.
08 - Let chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute. Serve with any remaining bruschetta topping spooned over the top or on the side.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The bruschetta topping keeps the chicken incredibly moist while adding bright fresh flavor
  • Everything comes together in under 45 minutes including prep time
  • It looks restaurant impressive but uses simple ingredients you can grab anywhere
02 -
  • Dry chicken thoroughly before seasoning or the pesto will slide right off
  • The bruschetta releases water as it bakes, so don't worry if it looks like too much topping at first
  • Check chicken temperature at the thickest part, not near the topping
03 -
  • Make the bruschetta a few hours ahead and let it sit, the flavors only get better
  • If chicken breasts are thick, pound them to even thickness before cooking
  • Line your baking sheet with parchment for cleanup that takes literally seconds

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