Bruschetta Chicken with Mozzarella and Balsamic Glaze

Name: Bruschetta Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 62 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon Morton kosher salt; 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; ½ teaspoon black pepper; ½ teaspoon brown sugar (optional); ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional); 1 ½ pounds chicken breast cutlets; 1 tablespoon Garlic Herb Dry Brine ((Note 1)); 2 cups diced Roma tomatoes (about 2 large or 4 medium tomatoes (Note 2)); ¼ cup chopped fresh basil; 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1 tablespoon olive oil; ¼ teaspoon kosher salt; ⅛ teaspoon black pepper; 1 ½ cups mozzarella pearls ((Note 3)); balsamic glaze (for drizzling); additional chopped or torn fresh basil (optional)

Juicy garlic herb chicken cutlets are topped with fresh tomato bruschetta, creamy mozzarella pearls, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. This colorful sheet-pan dinner is fresh, flavorful, and easy enough for a weeknight.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Overhead view of four bruschetta chicken cutlets on a white platter with fresh tomatoes and basil.

Would you like to save this recipe?

Enter your email below, and we'll send it to your inbox. Plus get great recipes from us every week! Unsubscribe anytime.

This bruschetta chicken combines juicy baked chicken breast cutlets with a fresh tomato and basil topping, mozzarella pearls, and plenty of sweet and tangy balsamic glaze. The chicken gets its flavor and texture from a garlic herb dry brine, which seasons it beautifully without making it too salty.

What we especially loved was how the fresh bruschetta topping almost became a side dish of its own. It makes the chicken feel light and refreshing for summer, while the balsamic glaze brings all the flavors together. I wouldn’t skimp on the glaze. It adds the sweet-tangy finish that makes this dish so good.

We’ve served the chicken with buttered linguine for a more filling dinner and with a simple green salad when we wanted something lighter. It’s easy enough for a summer weeknight but also colorful and impressive enough for entertaining or a date night at home.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Tender, juicy chicken. The garlic herb dry brine seasons the cutlets throughout and helps them remain moist and flavorful as they bake.
Fresh summer flavor. Ripe tomatoes, basil, and garlic create a refreshing topping that feels almost like a side dish served over the chicken.
Sweet and tangy finish. Balsamic glaze balances the fresh tomatoes and chicken. Be generous with it. It’s an important part of the finished flavor.
Filling without feeling heavy. Pair it with pasta for a more substantial dinner or a green salad for a lighter meal.
Versatile enough for any occasion. It works equally well for summer weeknights, casual entertaining, or date night at home.
Leftovers are delicious cold. There is no need to reheat the chicken unless you prefer it warm.

Ingredients at a Glance

Kosher salt, cayenne pepper, paprika, dried thyme, black pepper, brown sugar, garlic powder, and onion powder arranged for making Garlic Herb Dry Brine.

Garlic Herb Dry Brine

Morton Kosher Salt. Provides the base seasoning and helps the chicken retain moisture as it cooks. If using Diamond Crystal kosher salt, the amount will need to be adjusted because the crystals are lighter.
Garlic Powder. Distributes garlic flavor evenly over the chicken.
Paprika. Adds mild flavor and color.
Onion Powder. Gives the seasoning blend additional savory depth.
Dried Thyme. Adds a subtle herbal note that complements the tomato and basil topping.
Black Pepper. Provides a bit of spice.
Brown Sugar. Optional, but it encourages browning and balances the seasonings.
Cayenne Pepper. Optional for a touch of heat.

Chicken

For instructions and photos showing how to slice chicken breasts into cutlets, see our mushroom chicken recipe. Serious Eats also has a great tutorial.

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast Cutlets. Their thin, even shape allows them to cook quickly. You can also slice larger chicken breasts horizontally to make cutlets.
Garlic Herb Dry Brine. One tablespoon is enough to season 1½ pounds of chicken. The remaining blend can be saved for another meal.

Bruschetta Topping

Roma Tomatoes. Their firm flesh and lower moisture content make them ideal for bruschetta. Other ripe tomatoes can be substituted, but you may need to drain off more liquid.
Fresh Basil. Gives the topping its distinctive fresh, aromatic flavor. Fresh basil works best here; dried basil is not a good substitute.
Garlic. Fresh minced garlic adds the classic flavor associated with bruschetta.
Olive Oil. Brings the topping together and adds richness.
Kosher Salt and Black Pepper. Enhance the tomatoes without overpowering their fresh flavor.

For Serving

Mozzarella Pearls. These bite-size pieces are easy to scatter over the chicken and soften slightly from its warmth. If you can’t find pearls, cut fresh mozzarella into small pieces.
Balsamic Glaze. Adds a sweet-tart finish that balances the tomatoes and creamy mozzarella. Look for bottled balsamic glaze near the vinegar or salad dressing.
Fresh Basil. An optional finishing garnish that adds color and another layer of fresh basil flavor.

How to Make It (Photo Tutorial)

Raw chicken breast cutlets seasoned with garlic herb dry brine on a parchment-lined baking sheet. — Pat the chicken cutlets dry, then sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the Garlic Herb Dry Brine evenly over both sides. Refrigerate uncovered for 2 to 8 hours, or at least 30 minutes.

Diced Roma tomatoes, chopped fresh basil, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper in a white mixing bowl. — Combine the diced tomatoes, basil, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stir gently and set aside so the flavors can blend.

Baked garlic herb chicken breast cutlets on a parchment-lined baking sheet. — Bake the chicken at 425 F (218 C) for 10 to 14 minutes, or until each cutlet reaches 165 F (74 C). Transfer to a clean plate and rest for 5 minutes.

Baked chicken breast cutlets topped with fresh tomato, basil, and garlic bruschetta on a white platter. — Use a slotted spoon to generously top each chicken cutlet with the bruschetta mixture, leaving excess liquid behind in the bowl.

Bruschetta chicken topped with mozzarella pearls and drizzled with balsamic glaze on a white serving platter. — Scatter the mozzarella pearls over the bruschetta, drizzle generously with balsamic glaze, and garnish with additional fresh basil if desired. Serve immediately.

Tips for Success

Choose similarly sized cutlets. Chicken pieces of comparable thickness are more likely to finish cooking at the same time.
Use an instant-read thermometer. Thin chicken cutlets cook quickly and can become dry if overbaked. Remove each piece when it reaches 165 F (74 C).
Don’t skip the dry brine. Even 30 minutes improves the chicken’s flavor and juiciness, although 2 to 8 hours is preferred.
Dice the tomatoes evenly. Small, uniform pieces stay on the chicken more easily and give you a balanced topping in every bite.
Let the bruschetta rest briefly. This gives the tomatoes time to absorb the garlic, basil, and seasoning.
Use a slotted spoon. Leaving excess tomato liquid in the bowl prevents it from pooling around the chicken.
Add the mozzarella after baking. The pearls play a supporting role, adding mild creaminess and a little extra protein without competing with the fresh topping.
Don’t skimp on the balsamic glaze. Its concentrated sweet-tangy flavor ties the chicken, tomatoes, and mozzarella together.

Ways to Serve It

This chicken can be paired with something substantial or kept light, depending on the occasion.

Buttered Pasta. We served it with cooked buttered pasta, which caught the tomato juices and balsamic glaze and made the meal more filling.
Salad. A simple green side salad keeps the dinner light and refreshing for summer. If you want something a little more substantial, our summer orzo salad or white bean salad would pair nicely with this chicken.
Garlic Dinner Rolls. Our garlic dinner rolls would be especially good with this dish.
Grilled Vegetables. Parmesan grilled zucchini complements the tomato, basil, and garlic without making the meal feel heavy.
Couscous. Lemon couscous makes an easy alternative to pasta when you want a light but satisfying side dish.

Close-up of bruschetta chicken topped with diced tomatoes, fresh basil, mozzarella pearls, and balsamic glaze.

Storage

For the best texture, refrigerate the cooked chicken, bruschetta topping, and mozzarella pearls in separate airtight containers for up to 3 days.

The tomatoes will continue to release liquid as they sit. Drain away any excess before serving the leftover bruschetta topping.

Four baked bruschetta chicken cutlets topped with tomatoes, basil, mozzarella pearls, and balsamic glaze on a white platter.

Serving Leftovers

This bruschetta chicken is delicious warm or cold. We enjoyed the leftovers cold and found the dish just as flavorful and especially refreshing that way.

For cold leftovers, remove the chicken from the refrigerator about 20 minutes before serving so it can lose some of its chill. Add the bruschetta topping, mozzarella pearls, balsamic glaze, and fresh basil just before eating.

If you prefer the chicken warm, reheat it gently in a 350 F (177 C) oven or microwave it at reduced power in short intervals. Add the cold or room-temperature toppings after reheating.

More Chicken Dinners

Tried this recipe? I’d love to hear how it turned out! Leaving a quick rating and comment helps other readers and supports Heavenly Home Cooking more than you know.

Bruschetta chicken topped with tomato basil bruschetta, mozzarella pearls, and balsamic glaze, with fresh basil and tomatoes nearby.

Prep Time:20

Cook Time:12

Brine Time:30

Total Time:1 2

Equipment

Instant read thermometer