Rustic Bruschetta Chicken Casserole

Rustic Bruschetta Chicken Casserole

Preparation Time:

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes

Difficulty Level:

• Moderate

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 baguette, sliced into 1/2 inch pieces
• 2 tbsp butter, melted

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Chicken:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
   • Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and dried oregano.
2. Cook the Chicken:
   • In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside.
3. Prepare the Bruschetta Topping:
   • In a medium bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes, minced garlic, chopped basil, remaining olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
4. Assemble the Casserole:
   • Place the seared chicken breasts in a greased 9×13 inch casserole dish.
   • Top each chicken breast with the bruschetta mixture.
   • Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
5. Prepare the Baguette Slices:
   • Arrange the sliced baguette pieces around the chicken in the casserole dish.
   • Brush the baguette slices with melted butter.
6. Bake the Casserole:
   • Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C) and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Serve:
   • Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
   • Garnish with additional fresh basil if desired.

Nutritional Information (per serving, based on 6 servings):

• Calories: 390
• Protein: 32g
• Fat: 20g
• Carbohydrates: 18g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 560mg

Enjoy this delicious Rustic Bruschetta Chicken Casserole, a perfect combination of savory chicken, fresh bruschetta topping, and crispy baguette slices!