Pesto Bruschetta Chicken (Printable)
Tender chicken baked with basil pesto, fresh tomatoes, and melted mozzarella cheese.
# 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 6 ounces)
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish or sheet pan with cooking spray or a small amount of 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 in the prepared baking dish.
03 - Spoon 1 tablespoon basil pesto over each chicken breast, spreading it evenly to cover the top surface.
04 - Bake chicken for 15 minutes in the preheated oven to begin cooking through.
05 - While chicken bakes, combine diced tomatoes, red onion, garlic, fresh basil, extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Toss well 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 another 8-10 minutes, until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F and cheese is melted and lightly golden.
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 Tips:
01 -
- The bruschetta topping keeps everything juicy and bright
- Its company worthy but comes together in under an hour
- The pesto and mozzarella create the most incredible melty topping
02 -
- Overcrowding the pan traps steam and ruins the golden crust you want
- Letting the bruschetta sit while the chicken bakes actually improves the flavor
- A meat thermometer is the only way to know when chicken is truly done
03 -
- If your chicken breasts are huge pound them to even thickness so they cook at the same rate
- Grill the chicken for a few minutes per side before baking for a smoky depth