Pesto Bruschetta Chicken (Printable version)
Tender chicken with pesto, fresh tomatoes, and melted mozzarella
# 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 - 1/2 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 - 1/4 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 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Cheese
15 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (about 5 ounces)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish or sheet pan with cooking spray or olive oil.
02 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Rub each breast with olive oil, then season evenly with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning on both sides. Place seasoned chicken in the prepared baking dish.
03 - Spoon 1 tablespoon basil pesto over each chicken breast, spreading it evenly to cover the top surface.
04 - Place baking dish in preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes to partially cook the chicken.
05 - While chicken bakes, combine diced tomatoes, red onion, minced garlic, chopped fresh 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, distributing evenly. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of each breast.
07 - Return baking dish to oven and bake for an additional 8-10 minutes, until chicken is cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F) and cheese is melted and lightly bubbly.
08 - Let chicken rest for 3-5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute. Serve with any remaining bruschetta mixture spooned over the top or on the side.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- It brings restaurant quality flavors to your weeknight dinner table without any fancy techniques
- The contrast of warm melty cheese against cool fresh tomatoes creates pure magic in every bite
02 -
- Do not skip the resting step, or all those delicious juices will run out onto the cutting board instead of staying in the chicken
- If your chicken breasts are extra thick, slice them horizontally before cooking to ensure even cooking throughout
03 -
- Grate your own cheese from a block because the pre shredded stuff has anti caking agents that prevent proper melting
- If your tomatoes are not perfectly ripe, let the bruschetta mixture sit for 15 minutes to draw out some moisture before using