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