Bruschetta Chicken Casserole Recipe
This Bruschetta Chicken Casserole is a delightful, flavorful dish combining tender chicken pieces with fresh tomatoes, garlic, mozzarella cheese, and aromatic herbs. Baked to perfection, it mimics the classic bruschetta flavors in a comforting casserole form, making it perfect for a hearty family meal or an impressive dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 lb. chicken breasts or tenders, cut into bite sized pieces
- 1 Tbsp avocado oil or olive oil
- Sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste, about 1/4 teaspoon each
Bruschetta Topping
- 6 ripe Roma tomatoes, chopped and lightly sprinkled with sea salt
- 3 fresh garlic cloves, crushed or chopped
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 Tbsps high quality balsamic vinegar
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- A small handful of fresh basil leaves, chopped
Other
- Cooking spray or additional oil for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the casserole later on.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the avocado or olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, seasoning them with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown on the sides and nearly cooked through.
- Assemble the Casserole: Lightly grease an 8×8 baking dish with cooking spray or oil. Transfer the cooked chicken into the dish. Evenly top the chicken with the chopped salted tomatoes, crushed garlic, dried oregano, and drizzle the balsamic vinegar over the ingredients.
- Add the Cheese: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the entire casserole combination, ensuring good coverage.
- Bake: Place the casserole uncovered into the preheated oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the sauce at the bottom is simmering.
- Rest and Garnish: Carefully remove the casserole from the oven. Cover it and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld and temperatures to even out. Before serving, sprinkle fresh chopped basil over the top for a fragrant, fresh finish.
Notes
- Use ripe Roma tomatoes for the best texture and flavor akin to traditional bruschetta.
- Cooking the chicken until just about cooked through ensures it doesn’t dry out during baking.
- Fresh basil added after baking preserves its bright aroma.
- Substitute mozzarella with a low-fat cheese for a lighter version.
- For a gluten-free meal, confirm all ingredients, especially seasoning blends and vinegar, are certified gluten-free.
Keywords: Bruschetta Chicken Casserole, baked chicken, mozzarella, Italian casserole, easy dinner, tomato basil chicken, balsamic chicken bake
Find it online: https://tastybella.com/bruschetta-chicken-casserole-recipe/
