Description
This bruschetta chicken casserole combines juicy chicken breasts with fresh tomatoes, garlic, basil, and melted mozzarella for an easy weeknight dinner that tastes like your favorite Italian appetizer. The one-pan bake makes it simple to serve and clean up.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups chicken, shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup pasta, cooked
Supporting Ingredients:
- ½ cup basil, fresh, chopped
Seasonings and Liquids:
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Warm your oven to a toasty 350°F, getting it ready for a delicious transformation.
- Toss the 2 cups of tender shredded chicken into a spacious mixing bowl, creating the base of your casserole.
- Slice 1 cup of cherry tomatoes in half, scattering them over the chicken for a burst of fresh color.
- Sprinkle ½ cup of fragrant chopped basil and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese into the bowl.
- Drizzle ¼ cup of balsamic vinegar across the mixture, adding a tangy splash of flavor.
- Season with 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper to enhance the taste.
- If you’re craving extra substance, fold in 1 cup of cooked pasta to make the dish more filling.
- Gently stir all ingredients until they’re beautifully combined and evenly distributed.
- Transfer the mixture into a lightly greased baking dish, spreading it out smoothly.
- Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the cheese melts and turns golden and bubbly.
Notes
- Swap pasta for zucchini noodles to make this dish low-carb and gluten-free for anyone watching their carbohydrate intake.
- Ensure chicken is thoroughly shredded and evenly distributed for consistent flavor in every bite.
- Fresh basil makes a significant difference, so skip dried herbs and use the bright, aromatic fresh leaves if possible.
- For a protein boost, consider adding white beans or quinoa to increase the nutritional value of the casserole.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 to 6
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg