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Low fat doesn't need to mean low flavor! My Bruschetta Chicken recipe is fresh, light, and packed with protein all while boasting an incredible mix of Italian flavors. Perfect for meal prep!
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Chicken Bruschetta
If you've been following my dieting journey, you know I've been truly falling in love with chicken. It's so light, has tons of protein, and a mild flavor absolutely perfect for customizing! In my efforts to cut down on carbs, it's chicken that I keep coming back to.
That's where Chicken Bruschetta comes in! Pairing flavorful and fresh tomato bruschetta with Italian marinated grilled chicken is truly a match made in heaven. It's all the flavor I craved in bruschetta on baguettes, but even more filling and rewarding!
Plus, it's the perfect chicken recipe for meal prep. Grill up more chicken than you need, pack it up in containers in the fridge on a bed of your favorite grain (I love quinoa or couscous), and add in a mini container of bruschetta. Then just heat it up in the microwave at work or at your desk and dig in!
Tools to Make Bruschetta Chicken
- A grill or a grill pan for cooking the chicken. Check out my recommended grill- I love it!
- An instant-read thermometer for checking the chicken. I never cook meat without one, it's absolutely essential.
- A large bowl for marinating the chicken.
- A sharp knife for slicing the tomatoes.
- A sturdy cutting board.
Isabel's Grill
Oh my gosh, what would I do without this grill? I love it, my husband loves it, my kids love it! It's easily the best grill I've ever had, and the blue color really makes it stand out.
photo courtesy of Weber on Amazon
Ingredients in Chicken Bruschetta
Italian Grilled Chicken Ingredients
- Chicken breasts: I prefer to use boneless skinless chicken breast for chicken bruschetta, as it grills well and is nice and light on fat. However, you can also use boneless chicken thighs.
- Garlic: I recommend fresh garlic as it will release oils into the marinade, resulting in incredible fresh flavor.
- Olive oil: Olive oil is important here, as it has a distinct flavor.
- Lemon juice: Use fresh if you can, but bottled will also work.
- Smoked paprika: I vastly prefer smoked paprika, but if you only have sweet paprika, that will work too.
- Thyme: Fresh herbs will work the best for marinade. However, I've had good results with dried.
- Rosemary: As with the thyme, a fresh rosemary sprig would be ideal, but you can use dried.
- Salt and pepper: Freshly cracked black pepper and kosher salt make for the best flavor.
Bruschetta Ingredients
- Tomatoes: You can use any kind of tomato you like. My favorites are roma tomatoes, cherry tomatoes, and heirloom tomatoes. Chop them up into small pieces, and remove the goopy seeds.
- Olive oil: Use the best quality extra virgin olive oil you can find- the flavor is important!
- Garlic: Once again, use whole, fresh garlic cloves. Alternatively you can leave out the garlic for a milder flavor.
- Fresh basil: You can't use dried basil here- it has to be fresh leaves.
- Salt and pepper
- Mozzarella or Parmesan (Optional): I love the rich salty flavor of parmesan, but you can leave it out if you want to keep your bruschetta dairy-free.
Chicken Bruschetta
Equipment
- 1 grill pan or outdoor grill
Ingredients
For The Chicken:
- 1½ lbs. chicken breasts
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 4 Tablespoons lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon thyme
- ¼ teaspoon rosemary
- pinch salt and pepper
For The Bruschetta:
- 6 Roma tomatoes
- 4 cloves Garlic
- 1½ Tablespoons olive oil
- ⅓ cup fresh basil
- pinch salt and pepper
- Mozzarella cheese or Parmesan cheese - optional
Instructions
Recipe for Grilled Chicken
- Mince 2 cloves garlic. Add the garlic, 2 Tbsp. olive oil, 4 Tbsp. lemon juice, ½ tsp. smoked paprika, ¼ tsp. thyme, ¼ tsp. rosemary and a generous pinch of salt and pepper to a small bowl. Mix until combined. Place the chicken breasts in a large bowl. Pour the marinade over the chicken. Make sure all of the chicken is coated in the marinade. Place the bowl in the fridge and allow to marinate for 30 minutes.
Recipe Bruschetta
- Mince 4 cloves of garlic and dice 4 large tomatoes. Mince ⅓ cup of fresh basil. Place the diced tomatoes, garlic, and basil into a bowl along with 1½ Tbsp. olive oil and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until completely combined. Set aside.
- Heat an outdoor grill or heat an indoor grill pan to slightly more than medium. Wait until the pan gets hot before adding the chicken (the chicken should sizzle as it hits the pan or grill). Add the chicken to the pan or grill. Grill for about 5 minutes on the first side. Flip the chicken breasts over and grill for another 4-5 minutes. (Place the chicken over direct heat if using an outdoor grill and then move to a more indirect heat). The safe internal temperature for chicken is 165 degrees Fahrenheit. This can be checked with a grilling thermometer.
- Remove the chicken breasts from heat and allow to rest before serving. This keeps them moist and juicy. Serve the chicken alongside something like couscous and a grilled vegetable. Top the chicken with a generous portion of brushetta and some additional basil. Optional: Add cheese to the chicken as it's grilling or top the whole dish with Parmesan cheese.
Notes
- You can make every part of this recipe ahead of time and serve it later!
- Feel free to add anything you'd like to the bruschetta, such as sliced onions for extra zest. You can even swap it out for fresh pico de gallo!
- This chicken recipe works best with chicken breasts, but you can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs or chicken tenderloins.
- Adding parmesan or mozzarella to the top of the chicken right before taking it off the grill adds even more decadence and flavor. I can't recommend it enough!
- Like all quickly cooked meat, you should check the temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer to ensure it's fully cooked. Cooking time is always an estimate with meat.
Nutrition
Chicken Bruschetta Detailed Instructions
Part 1: Marinate the Chicken
Step 1: Make the marinade. In a bowl large enough for the chicken, combine the olive oil, garlic, herbs, lemon juice, salt and pepper, and paprika, and whisk well to combine. Smash the garlic and herbs against the sides of the bowl to release as much flavor as possible.
Step 2: Marinate the chicken. Place the chicken in the marinade, then cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Place it in the fridge to marinate for 30 minutes or up to overnight. Don't marinate for more than 12 hours, however, or the lemon juice can start breaking down the chicken, making it mushy!
Part 2: Grill the Chicken
Step 1: Preheat the grill or a grill pan. Set your grill to a little over medium heat and brush the bars or grill pan with olive oil. Let it get nice and hot before placing on the chicken, making sure to let any excess marinade drip off. The chicken should sizzle when placed on the pan.
Step 2: Grill chicken for 5 minutes. Without moving the chicken, let it grill for 5 minutes. Not moving the chicken will ensure it stays nice and juicy, and helps the chicken keep from sticking to the bars. If you move it too quickly, it can stick and tear.
Step 3: Flip and finish grilling. Using metal tongs, flip the chicken, then grill for another about 5 minutes. Check the temperature after 4 minutes to ensure the chicken doesn't overcook- it's ready once it reaches 165°F using an instant-read thermometer. Once fully cooked, remove to a plate and let rest 10 minutes while you prepare the bruschetta.
Part 3: Make the Bruschetta
Step 1: Dice the tomatoes and garlic. Dice your tomatoes into small cubes, removing any excess seeds if you prefer. At the same time, finely mince the fresh garlic and slice the basil leaves into strips.
Step 2: Combine in a bowl. Place the diced tomatoes, minced garlic, olive oil, basil, and salt and pepper in a bowl and mix well.
Part 4: Combine and Serve!
Slice the chicken if desired and plate alongside any sides (I like couscous or quinoa), then top with bruschetta and serve!
Hi, I'm Isabel! I've been sharing my recipes online, in cookbooks, and in TV specials since 2012. The most important thing to me is Sunday supper with my family, and inspiring togetherness with my recipes!
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Expert Tips
- You can make every part of this recipe ahead of time and serve it later!
- Feel free to add anything you'd like to the bruschetta, such as sliced onions for extra zest. You can even swap it out for fresh pico de gallo!
- This chicken recipe works best with chicken breasts, but you can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs or chicken tenderloins.
- Adding parmesan or mozzarella to the top of the chicken right before taking it off the grill adds even more decadence and flavor. I can't recommend it enough!
- Like all quickly cooked meat, you should check the temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer to ensure it's fully cooked. Cooking time is always an estimate with meat.
FAQ
Yes! You can absolutely grill the chicken and make the bruschetta ahead. If you do, store them separately so the chicken doesn't get soggy, and drain any excess liquid from the bruschetta before serving.
I find that simple grains such as couscous or quinoa are delicious, but for a truly incredible pairing, try it with avocado pasta! Serve it up with a side of grilled vegetables or greens like sauteed spinach.
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