We had our first 90 degree day of the summer this week (woof/hooray!) That said, it’s been gloriously hot and humid which has me craving all things fresh and flavorful – which is exactly what I’d call Mozzarella Bruschetta Chicken. Meet your new go-to summer dinner!
Watch How to Make It!
This recipe is sunshine on a plate and SO, so good. It’s all about the homemade bruschetta which is a mouthwatering mixture of herby, tangy, and saucy, ie fresh basil, chopped tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, raw garlic, and my (not so) secret ingredient – freshly shredded parmesan cheese – layered between sauteed chicken and melty mozzarella cheese. Add a drizzle of thick and syrupy balsamic reduction on top? OH MAN!
It’s a given that nobody wants to be hovering over the stovetop in the summer. There’s walks to be had, sprinklers to be run through, and mules to be sipped on the patio. Mozzarella Bruschetta Chicken takes no time at all and nearly all the components can be prepped ahead of time. That means, when it’s time to eat, all you’ve got to do is saute chicken, spoon on some bruschetta, slap some cheese on top, then broil until melted. Couldn’t be simpler. Let’s do this!
How to Make This Recipe
Start by making the balsamic reduction which is code for: simmer balsamic vinegar. You’ve got it! Add 1 cup balsamic vinegar to a small saucepan and bring it to a boil, then turn the heat down and simmer until you can see the bottom of the pot for a second or two when you scrape a spatula across (it will continue to thicken as it cools, FYI,) about 20 minutes.
Voila – you’ve made balsamic reduction! Set it aside to cool.
Next make the bruschetta topping. I know there are store-bought varieties available but promise me you’ll try making your own just once. You’ll never go back!
To a bowl add 2 cups chopped tomatoes (any kind and no need to seed first), 1/4 cup packed fresh basil that’s been chopped, 3 Tablespoons EACH extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and freshly grated parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon sugar (optional but definitely add if you’re not using very ripe, in-season tomatoes,) 1 medium-sized garlic clove that’s been pressed or finely minced, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
Time to cook. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat then season 4 chicken cutlets OR chicken breasts that have been pounded thin with homemade seasoned salt and pepper and add them to the skillet. Saute until golden brown on the bottom then turn the heat down slightly, flip, and continue to saute until cooked through.
I love using chicken cutlets for this dish, and in many of my other chicken skillet recipes, because they’re quick-cooking and stretch your chicken. I can use two big chicken breasts to feed my family of 5!
Once the chicken is cooked through, add 2-3 Tablespoons of the bruschetta mixture to the top of each piece of chicken followed by 2oz sliced or shredded mozzarella cheese.
Pop the skillet under your broiler to melt the cheese then scoop onto plates and drizzle with balsamic reduction. YUM. Mozzarella Bruschetta Chicken is fab served next to steamed or roasted vegetables, or over a bed of gluten free angel hair pasta. Drizzled with extra bruschetta mixture?! TO DIE FOR! However you serve it, I hope you love this easy, tasty dish – enjoy!
More Chicken Breast Recipes You’ll Love:Â
- Pizza Chicken
- Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- Low Carb Greek Chicken Bowl
- One Pot Chicken and Rice
- Gnocchi Chicken Pot Pie
free email bonus
Dinner Made EASY
5 days of simple yet flavorful recipes that take the stress out of dinnertime!
Mozzarella Bruschetta Chicken
Description
Mozzarella Bruschetta Chicken is an easy, gluten free dinner recipe that pairs the craveable flavors of fresh bruschetta with chicken and mozzarella cheese.
Ingredients
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar
- 4 chicken breasts or cutlets (see notes)
- homemade seasoned salt and pepper
- 4oz mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded
- For the bruschetta topping:
- 2 cups diced tomato (see notes)
- 1/4 cup packed fresh basil, chopped
- 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 3 Tablespoons freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 medium-sized garlic clove, pressed or finely minced
- salt and pepper
Directions
- Add balsamic vinegar to a small saucepan then turn heat to medium-high and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Turn heat down to medium then simmer and reduce until you can see the bottom of the pot for a second or two after scraping a spatula across it (see photo in post), about 20 minutes. Vinegar will continue to thicken as it cools, FYI. Set aside to cool - can be done a day ahead of time.
- Meanwhile, add ingredients for bruschetta topping in a medium-sized bowl then stir to combine and set aside. Can be done a day ahead of time.
- Place an oven rack directly underneath the broiler then preheat to high.
- Place a large skillet over medium-high heat then spray with nonstick spray. Season chicken on both sides with homemade seasoned salt and pepper then add to the skillet and saute until golden brown on the bottom, 2-4 minutes depending on the thickness of your chicken cutlets/breasts. Turn heat down to medium then flip chicken and saute until nearly cooked through, 4-6 additional minutes, flipping chicken again if necessary. Sometimes I place a lid on top of the skillet if it feels like the chicken is browning too quickly on the outside but still raw on the outside.
- Spoon 2-3 Tablespoons bruschetta topping on top of each piece of chicken followed by 1/4 of the cheese. Transfer skillet under the broiler then broil until cheese is melted. Scoop chicken onto plates then drizzle with balsamic reduction. Serve extra bruschetta topping on the side.
Notes
- You can use chicken cutlets (large chicken breasts cut in half widthwise) or chicken breasts depending on how hungry you are. If you use chicken breasts be sure they have been pounded to an even thickness to ensure even cooking.
- Click here for my 4-ingredient homemade seasoned salt recipe >
- You can use any kind of tomato you like for the bruschetta topping - no need to seed them either! I prefer using Roma tomatoes.
- I like serving this chicken on a bed of sauteed garlic spinach, or cooked gluten free angel hair pasta (often labeled capellini at the store.)
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
[…] Full instructions visit @iowagirleats […]
[…] Full instructions visit @iowagirleats […]
[…] Full instructions visit @iowagirleats […]
Very good. Possibly will cut back on the water content from the tomatoes, but great contrast in flavor.
I made the topping and used it for regular bruschetta and it was amazing! I used Roma tomatoes and everyone was blown away by how good they were, it’s safe to say that there were no leftovers! Definitely reccomend and will be making again
Can I bake this?
Thanks! I made the recipe last night and it was delish, except I burned the balsamic vinegar (I mean, alarms went off, really LOUD ones!), so had to skip the pretty finish! I did buy the right cheese and just melted it by putting a lid on my pan. One less oven to heat up!
Shoot! Been there done that, but I’m glad it turned out nonetheless!! :D
Do you use buffalo mozzarella or regular block type? Thanks!
Hi Susan! I use fresh mozzarella made with cow’s milk (BelGioioso brand) but buffalo mozzarella would definitely work in its place.
This was just to DIE FOR! It was absolutely spectacular. I make extra brushchetta topping and serve aside the spinach or pasta and chicken. Thank you, this is an outstanding meal.
I left out the sugar, the reduced balsamic was sweet enough…I used chicken thighs, served on wilted garlic spinach…This was a quick recipe to make and made me look like a wizard in the kitchen… Thanks
Yummmm. :) Thanks for your feedback and recipe review, Gerald!
New recipe for the beach for the family. Great recipe and the only deviation I made was to do all the cooking on the grill including melting the cheese.
Made this tonight and it was so delish! Everyone loved it even the kids!
Hi Mel,This is a delicious way to prepare chicken, thank you for sharing it with the world.
Made this into a super easy meal by picking up already made bruschetta from Trader Joe’s. Dinner was a huge hit! Definitely a keeper!
I made this last night. The bruschetta topping mix is just delicious! However, the finished dish was disappointing in that the mozzarella hardened under the broiler. I set the broiler on low and it looked beautiful when it came out, but the cheese had a tough, rubbery texture. Any ideas about what went wrong?
Hi Anne! I’m so glad you liked the bruschetta topping mixture! I’m not sure what could have gone wrong on the cheese end, unfortunately! Maybe the low broil temperature vs high dried out the cheese?
Hmmm… interesting theory. I have a bit of the same mozz left and tonight I’m making your cheesy veggie italian sausage rice casserole (one of our IGE faves!) which will give me a chance to drop a piece of the mozz on top under the broiler set on high. I’ll let you know!
Made this tonight. So tasty. A definite keeper!!
That’s awesome, Anne! So glad you loved it!
This Tennessee girl loved this chicken as did my family!
Ahh, so glad to hear it, Deborah! Thanks so much for your feedback and recipe rating! :D
Made this last night…..totally delicious and not that hard. I felt all fancy too :)
Thrilled to hear it, Jennifer! Definitely a pretty dish that’s not hard to make!
I thought that was a dessert at first lol. Looks so good either way!
Right? ? Balsamic reduction is a dead ringer for hot fudge sauce. ;)
This looks ah-mazing! And it’s another idea for how to use up some of the stuff from the garden, so double win!
Yes, yes! Exactly! Hope you enjoy, Cassie!