Pesto Bruschetta Chicken (Printable)
Tender chicken topped with pesto, fresh tomatoes, and melted mozzarella for a flavorful Italian-inspired meal ready in 40 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.3 lbs)
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 5.3 oz)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking dish or sheet pan with cooking spray or a small amount of olive oil.
02 - Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Rub each breast evenly with olive oil, then sprinkle with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning on all sides. Place seasoned chicken in the prepared baking dish.
03 - Spoon 1 tablespoon of basil pesto over each chicken breast and spread evenly across the surface using the back of the spoon.
04 - Place baking dish in preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes.
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 mixing 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 cheese evenly over all pieces.
07 - Return dish to oven and bake for an additional 8–10 minutes, until chicken reaches an 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 way the cold bruschetta hits the hot melted cheese creates this incredible temperature contrast that makes every bite exciting
- It looks fancy enough for date night but comes together in under 45 minutes with almost zero active cooking time
02 -
- Chicken breasts continue cooking after leaving the oven, so pulling them at 70°C instead of waiting for 74°C prevents dry meat
- The bruschetta releases water as it bakes, so using a rimmed baking sheet or dish keeps those juices contained
03 -
- Room temperature chicken cooks more evenly, so take it out of the fridge 20 minutes before starting
- Grating fresh garlic instead of mincing distributes the flavor more evenly through the bruschetta