This Cheesy Chicken Bruschetta Casserole is a vibrant and easy dinner that combines the fresh flavors of summer with the comfort of a hearty bake. Juicy pieces of chicken are smothered in melted mozzarella and Parmesan, then topped with a savory mixture of stuffing, fresh tomatoes, and basil.
With a tangy balsamic kick and a golden, flavorful crust, this dish is a satisfying 40-minute meal that the whole family will love.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: This dish features the classic Italian trio of tomatoes, basil, and garlic, enhanced by the tang of balsamic vinaigrette and the savory seasoning of the stuffing mix.
- Texture: Tender bite-sized chicken is coated in gooey melted cheese, while the bruschetta stuffing topping provides a delicious texture that is moist yet slightly crisp on top.
- Time: 15 minutes prep, 30 minutes bake time.
- Difficulty: Easy. It involves simple chopping, mixing, and layering in one pan.
What You’ll Need
To make this recipe, you will need a 13×9-inch baking dish for the casserole and a large mixing bowl to combine the bruschetta topping ingredients. A sharp knife is essential for dicing the tomatoes and chicken. The ingredients rely on fresh produce like Roma tomatoes and basil, paired with pantry shortcuts like boxed stuffing mix and bottled vinaigrette.
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken Breasts – You need 1 1/2 pounds of uncooked chicken breasts. Slicing them into bite-sized bits ensures they cook quickly and evenly within the 30-minute bake time.
- Roma Tomatoes – These are the best choice for bruschetta because they are firm and have fewer seeds than other varieties, preventing the casserole from becoming too watery.
- Stuffing Mix – A 6-ounce package of dry stuffing mix (like Stove Top) acts as the “crouton” element. It absorbs the juices from the tomatoes and vinaigrette, creating a savory, seasoned crust.
- Fresh Basil – Fresh chopped basil provides that signature aromatic sweetness that defines bruschetta.
- Balsamic Vinaigrette – This dressing adds acidity and moisture to the topping. You can use your favorite store-bought bottle or a homemade version.
- Cheeses – A combination of shredded mozzarella for the melt and shredded Parmesan for the salty bite creates a delicious barrier between the chicken and the topping.
- Garlic – Minced garlic adds a punch of savory flavor to the tomato mixture.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Liquid – If your tomatoes aren’t very juicy, the recipe includes optional water to moisten the stuffing mix so it doesn’t burn. Chicken broth can also be used for extra flavor.
- Vegetables – You can add diced red onion to the bruschetta mixture for a little extra bite.
- Herbs – While basil is traditional, a little fresh oregano or parsley can be added to the topping.
How to Make Cheesy Chicken Bruschetta Casserole
- Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Make Topping: In a large mixing bowl, add the diced tomatoes, chopped basil, minced garlic, balsamic vinaigrette, and the dry stuffing mix. Stir until well combined. Set this aside to let the flavors meld and the stuffing absorb some liquid. Note: If your bruschetta mixture seems a little dry, you can add 2-4 tablespoons of water to moisten it a bit.
- Arrange Chicken: Place the uncooked bite-sized chicken pieces in a 13″x9″ baking dish, spreading them out in an even layer. Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the chicken evenly with the shredded mozzarella and shredded Parmesan cheese.
- Layer Topping: Pour the prepared bruschetta stuffing mixture over the top of the chicken and cheese layer, spreading it out to cover the dish.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated 400°F oven for about 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the topping is golden brown.
Pro Tip: Let the stuffing mixture sit in the bowl for about 5 minutes before spreading it over the chicken. This allows the dry bread cubes to soak up the balsamic and tomato juices, ensuring they bake up tender rather than hard.
Recipe Tips
- Chicken Size: Cut the chicken pieces into uniform sizes so they finish cooking at the same time.
- Check the Moisture: Before putting the dish in the oven, look at your topping. It should look moist. If it looks very dry and dusty, sprinkle the optional water over the top to ensure it doesn’t scorch at 400°F.
- Cheese Layer: Placing the cheese directly on the chicken helps seal in the moisture of the meat while protecting it from the acidity of the tomatoes.
FAQs
- Can I use chicken tenders? Yes, you can dice chicken tenders instead of breasts.
- Is the stuffing crunchy or soft? It offers a mix of textures soft where it touches the cheese and tomatoes, and crispy on the very top, similar to the top of a holiday stuffing dish.
- How do I store leftovers? Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Serving Suggestions
- Greens: A Caesar salad or mixed greens with Italian dressing pairs perfectly.
- Vegetables: Roasted asparagus or green beans make a great healthy side.
- Bread: Serve with garlic knots if you want extra carbs to scoop up the cheesy chicken.
Make This Recipe in Advance
- Prep: You can dice the chicken and tomatoes earlier in the day. Store them in separate containers in the fridge.
- Assembly: It is best to mix the stuffing with the wet ingredients right before baking so it doesn’t get too soggy. Assemble the casserole just before putting it in the oven.
Cheesy Chicken Bruschetta Casserole
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 Servings 1x
Description
This Cheesy Chicken Bruschetta Casserole is a vibrant and easy dinner that combines the fresh flavors of summer with the comfort of a hearty bake. Juicy pieces of chicken are smothered in melted Mozzarella and Parmesan, then topped with a savory mixture of stuffing, fresh tomatoes, and basil. With a tangy balsamic kick and a golden, flavorful crust, this dish is a satisfying 40-minute meal that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
The Chicken & Cheese Base
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
The Bruschetta Stuffing Topping
- 1 box (6 oz) dry Stuffing Mix (e.g., Stove Top)
- 6 Roma tomatoes, diced
- 1/3 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons water (optional, if mixture seems dry)
Instructions
Prep
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Make Topping
In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced Roma tomatoes, chopped basil, minced garlic, balsamic vinaigrette, and the dry stuffing mix.
Stir
Mix well until combined. Let this sit for 5 minutes so the stuffing cubes can absorb the tomato juices and vinaigrette.
Check
If the mixture looks very dry or dusty after resting, stir in the 2 tablespoons of water to moisten.
Arrange Chicken
Spread the bite-sized chicken pieces in an even layer across the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Season generously with salt and pepper.
Add Cheese
Sprinkle the shredded Mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the raw chicken. Why? This creates a barrier that keeps the chicken moist and protects it from the acidity of the tomatoes.
Layer Topping
Pour the prepared bruschetta stuffing mixture over the cheese layer, spreading it out to cover the dish evenly.
Bake
Bake for 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (165°F internal) and the topping is golden brown and crisp.
Serve
Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Tomato Choice: Use Roma tomatoes. They are firmer and have fewer seeds/less water than other varieties, preventing the casserole from becoming soupy.
Stuffing Texture: The topping offers a mix of textures soft underneath where it touches the cheese and tomatoes, and crispy on the very top, similar to the crust of holiday stuffing.
Don’t Pre-Make: Do not mix the stuffing ingredients hours in advance, or the bread cubes will become too soggy. Assemble right before baking.
Dry Mix: Ensure you use the dry stuffing mix straight from the box do not prepare it on the stove first!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner / Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of Casserole
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: chicken bruschetta casserole, stove top stuffing recipes, easy chicken bake, tomato basil chicken, 40 minute dinner, mozzarella chicken, family casserole recipes
