I’m so excited to share a fresh, healthy, and fit chicken recipe for Day 3 of Chicken Week with you! Just to recap, Monday we made warm and hearty (and Ben-approved!) Chicken & Wild Rice Soup, then yesterday we brought take-out in-house with spicy-sweet Kung Pao Chicken Burgers (which, seriously – gobble-good.)
Today, we’re going delightfully fresh with Avocado, Mozzarella and Bruschetta Chicken, which couldn’t have come at a more perfect time. After waking up to howling winds and 4″ of snow on the ground, the bright colors and summery flavors of a sauteed chicken breast topped with creamy avocado, juicy tomatoes and basil, melty mozzarella cheese, and syrupy-sweet balsamic vinegar totally hit the spot, and temporarily distracted me from the swirling white wretchedness taking place out my window!
Avocado, Mozzarella & Bruschetta Chicken is simple, flavorful and ready in 15-20 minutes…AND it’s drizzled with reduced balsamic vinegar.
HOW YOU GONNA HATE ON THAT?!
While it may look fancy and like it takes a lot of time, this dish is really just a sauteed chicken breast topped with goodies then popped under the broiler for a few minutes. Simple enough to make on a weeknight, but yummy enough to make for your family and friends anytime. Plus it’s a recipe that can easily be scaled. Make enough for 1 or 10!
Start with the balsamic reduction that you see above (AHHH) which is so easy it’ll make your head spin. All you do is bring 1 cup balsamic vinegar to a boil then reduce the heat and simmer until it’s thickened and coats a spoon.
Like this! When you reduce balsamic vinegar it’s gets to be like a sweet syrup – you would never in a million years guess it started out as balsamic vinegar. I love to drizzle it on salads, berries, pizzas, and well, Avocado, Mozzarella and Bruschetta Chicken!
The vinegar takes about 20 minutes to reduce, so just set it aside when it’s done to cool slightly. (Oh, hi!)
Next get your chicken ready. Normally I would just instruct you to season then cook, etc, but a few people have asked me exactly how I saute a chicken breast, so here’s what I do from start to finish:
First, pound out your chicken breasts to a uniform thickness. If you don’t do this, one end will end up as chicken leather, while the other will be moist and delish. What a horrible combo.
I usually pop the chicken into a ziplock bag or lay it on my poultry-only cutting board and seal it up with Glad Press & Seal (I am absolutely obsessed with that stuff.) Next, take a mallet or rolling pin and give the chicken a good couple of whacks until it’s all the same thickness.
Like this!
Next drizzle extra virgin olive oil on top and brush it on evenly, then season liberally with salt & pepper. Flip and do the same thing on the other side.
Brush the inside of a skillet with olive oil (I just use what’s left on the brush) or spray with nonstick spray then heat to medium-high. I usually set mine to 6.5 out of 10. Add the chicken then cook for 4-5 minutes, or until the underside is golden brown. Flip then cook for another 4 minutes or until no longer pink in the center.
My no-fail way to make sure the chicken is done without cutting into it, is to press into the chicken with my finger. If you press and the chicken feels bouncy or raw, flip and cook for one more minute. If you can’t really press into the chicken at all, it’s done!
K! Now transfer the chicken to a nonstick-sprayed, foil-lined baking sheet.
Time to bust out the goodies! First up – Fresh Bruschetta Sauce. I picked this up at Trader Joe’s, but you could totally make your own. The combo of fresh tomatoes, basil and garlic in here is SO SUMMER that it makes me want to scream. Who knows, maybe I did!
Plus a sliced avocado. FYI – I peel my avocados, vs scooping the flesh out with a spoon. You dirty one less utensil, plus my inner type A get SO ANNOYED when the spoon leaves some of the flesh behind in the peel. I know.
Spoon about 2 Tablespoons bruschetta mixture on top then add 3 or 4 slices of avocado.
Next slice up some fresh mozzarella. Tip: Pop this baby into the freezer for 10-15 minutes to make it really easy to slice!
(don’t forget a wee piece for the chef!)
Add 1oz sliced mozzarella on top then broil until melted.
Top with the reduced balsamic vinegar then INHALE.
free email bonus!
5 Day Clean Eating Guide
Fresh and craveable recipes + healthy eating tips!
Avocado, Mozzarella and Bruschetta Chicken
Description
Avocado, Mozzarella and Bruschetta Chicken is simple, flavorful and ready in 20 minutes. Fresh, healthy, and fast.
Ingredients
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar
- 4 chicken breasts, pounded to an even thickness
- extra virgin olive oil
- salt & pepper
- 1/2 cup pre-made bruschetta topping
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 4oz mozzarella cheese, sliced (or 1 cup shredded)
- baby spinach or pasta, for serving
Directions
- Pour balsamic vinegar into a small saucepan then bring to a boil. Turn heat down to medium then simmer and reduce until vinegar is thick enough to coat a spoon, about 20 minutes. (Vinegar will continue to thicken while cooling.) Set aside to cool.
- Place oven rack in top position then preheat broiler. Brush chicken breasts with extra virgin olive oil then season with salt and pepper on both sides. Brush a large skillet over medium-high heat with oil then add chicken breasts and cook for 4-5 minutes a side, or until no longer pink in the center.
- Transfer chicken to a foil-lined, nonstick-sprayed baking sheet then top with 2 Tablespoons bruschetta mixture, 3-4 slices avocado, and 1 oz mozzarella each. Broil until cheese has melted then serve over spinach or cooked pasta, and drizzle with the balsamic vinegar reduction.
Notes
Inspired by Cuisine Paradise
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
I placed my Avocado, Mozzarella and Bruschetta Chicken over a bed of baby spinach which was just divine. Angel hair pasta underneath would be super yummy too. Heck, you could place it on the floor and I’d still lick it clean!
That is to say, drizzle on some more of that balsamic reduction, and get to eatin’, people! ;)
Psst! Use the leftover bruschetta mixture to make 15-Minute Bruschetta Chicken Pasta!
Why do you make EVERYTHING look so delicious? Ah, I can’t get over how amazing your dishes look every single time. ;)
I love everything about this salad! I have a feeling that even the menfolk would get onboard with this one too!
That mozzarella looks delicious! I am going to make this with my Quorn chicken.
I’m making this tonight!
Yum !
Kristin – this looks amazing! That balsamic glaze over the top totally puts it over the top. You’re right – this sounds so simple, but would be such an impressive thing to serve. I always love how you find creative ways to use everyday ingredients – so much inspiration!!!
Kristin – this looks amazing! That balsamic glaze totally puts it over the top. You’re right – this sounds so simple, but would be such an impressive thing to serve. I always love how you find creative ways to use everyday ingredients – so much inspiration!!!
I made chicken breast with cheese tonight and kept saying to my husband “it’s missing something”…um yes bruschetta, avocado, and balsamic vinegar reduction! Yum! Leftovers tomorrow night are going to be fantastic!
Living about 5 hours east of you, the one thing I can’t stand reading your blog is hearing about how awful my weather is going to be tomorrow :(
But in all seriousness, this looks delicious! Trader Joes is so funny- like i said, I’m not that far away and we don’t get that bruchetta sauce
Trader Joe’s carries a bottled, ready-to-use balsamic glaze (for those of us who are either impatient or prone to scorching their reduction) – and it’s great, handy for a quick drizzle!
WHAT?! Totally picking up a bottle on my next visit – thanks for the tip!
The combo of avocado and mozzarella makes everything super delish! I’ve never made a basalmic reduction….can’t wait to try this!
Oh that balsamic sauce looks amazing! Nobody can hate on that!
I just had the same reaction to Jessica’s scoop on Trader Joe’s ready-to-use balsamic glaze. Leave it to TJ’s :)
This recipe looks divine! Also, I thought I heard Rachael Ray has her own brand of balsamic reduction too.
Dang girl, you know how to make chicken week shine! I have loved it all, but this might be the best so far!
Seriously happy about chicken week! I’m going to TJ tomorrow and hopefully the bruscetta sauce will be there waiting for me. Again, you’ve given chicken new meaning.
You’ve combined some of my husband’s fav foods! Avocado, bruschetta, mozzarella AND balsamic vinegar. He is going to be in Heaven when I make this :) It’ll make the perfect Valentine’s Day dinner. Thanks!!
Confession: I attempted my first balsamic reduction a few weeks ago to go on top of roasted asperagus. I cooked it too long and it totally turned in to balsamic taffy. And yes, I stuff a piece in my mouth to try it… it smelled so good. But hell-o! It was so strong, LOL, no wonder balsamic taffy isn’t a huge hit.
I am so in love with EVERYTHING about this recipe. Holy yum!
Do you happen to know if Hy-Vee carries a similar Bruschetta? Thanks!
This is my first time commenting on your Lil ‘Ol Blog, and I have to say, ever since I found your blog It’s become one of my favorites. Thank you for all the work you put in.
Ps-The pic’s above are outstanding!
I can’t wait to make this! It sooooo reminds me of my favorite dish I had in Ireland. I think about it all the time and wish I took a picture to recreate. Thank you!
This recipe is basically everything I love (chicken, caprese elements, balsamic, avocado) all rolled into one. I’d say we have a winner!
Gah, this sounds amazing! I love me a balsamic reduction!
Looks delicious, especially with the unexpected addition of avocado!
BTW I have to ask…and I know this is a self-imposed chicken week haha, but are you and Ben getting kinda tired of chicken yet?
Definitely trying this. Love, love, love your blog and recipes!
This looks so delicious and perfect contrast to the winter weather we’ve been having. I’m bookmarking this recipe to try soon.
i think i just drooled all over my computer at work. that looks amazing.
What kind of lighting do you use in your photography?
Hey Mark, I use natural sunlight whenever possible!
Made this for dinner tonight and it was super yummy!! Served over spinach and the whole family liked it. Thanks!
Just made this, so easy to make and tastes amazing!!!
I love these easy and simple chicken breast dishes that you do. I literally have all these ingredients but yet I would have never thought to combine them as you do. Please do more of these “topped chicken breast” recipes!!!!
I made this for dinner tonight and it was soooo good! Thanks for posting this!
[…] Recipe Source: Iowa Girl Eats […]
Made this tonight was very fresh and tasty . Just wondered calorie content and fat
I made this for my fiance for Valentine’s Day tonight. He loved it!!
Wohoo! So glad to hear, Marilyn!
Made this last night for my BF and he freaking LOVED it.
I almost forgot the balsamic reduction on the stove as we sat down to eat. So glad I didn’t. We hadn’t had balsamic vinegar before (newbie cook here) and we were becoming put off by the strong vinegar smell as it reduced, but it was worth it. He liked it so much he started dipping pretzels in it, haha!
Thanks so much!
What kind of camera do you have? These photos are fantastic!
Thanks, Megan! I use a Nikon D7000. :)
your pictures are amazing! how is your flash set up?
Thanks, Katie! I use natural light whenever possible.
This was delicious! My husband and I loved it! What a great combination!
This was delicious! I opted for both pasta and spinach. Love your blog!
[…] Avocado, Mozzarella and Bruschetta Chicken via Iowa Girl Eats […]
We just had this for supper and it was AMAZING! I picked up the bruschetta and fresh mozzarella the other day at TJ ‘s – thanks for the tip. Tasted like summer, which is a very happy thing. Making the bruschetta chicken pasta tomorrow night. Definitely looking forward to it! Thanks for giving us such delicious recipes.
I made this tonight and my boyfriend loved it.
I can hardly ever get him to eat any sort of “chicken steak” It’s usually pieces in a wrap or in Indian food. He said he’d definitely eat it again.
I even made a vegetarian version for myself with a Quorn Chicken cutlet!
[…] since I found *this recipe* posted by Kristin at Iowa Girl Eats, it reminded me of my favorite meal I had in Ireland this […]
All I can say is LOVE this. It is SO good. Only thing I did different is bake my chicken and I made my own bruschetta topping. It will be a new staple in my house! Thanks for sharing!
[…] on recipes from Iowa Girl Eats & Our Best […]
[…] may have guessed balsamic vinegar is pretty high on my list. Enter this smothered chicken recipe by Iowa Girl Eats. Truthfully, this has another ingredient both the hubbs and I cannot get enough of – tomato, […]
[…] Not only is it delicious and healthy but there are only 6 ingredients (not counting S&P and EVOO) and it was ready in about 20 minutes. Spinach, balsamic vinegar, chicken breasts, avocado (optional – Momma went without), mozzarella and pre-made Trader Joe’s (or any other brand) bruschetta. Here’s the link to the recipe for Avocado, Mozzarella and Bruschetta Chicken. […]
[…] Check out Iowa Girl Eats for her full recipe. […]
[…] Avocado, Mozzarella, and Bruschetta Chicken from Iowa Girl Eats Big Kid Mac n’ Cheese (Butternut squash, lemon, chicken sausage and blue cheese pasta) from Pure Wow […]