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chicken pesto tomato bruschetta

Chicken Pesto Tomato Bruschetta

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8 pieces

Equipment

  • 1 Baking sheet
  • 1 Grill pan or skillet
  • 1 Chef's knife
  • 1 Cutting board
  • 1 Small bowl
  • 1 Mixing spoon
  • 1 pastry brush
  • 1 instant-read thermometer

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large baguette sliced 1/2-inch thick
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil divided
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts small
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes diced
  • 1 small clove garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1/3 cup basil pesto
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese shredded
  • 6 fresh basil leaves thinly sliced
  • 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes optional

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F and lightly brush both sides of the baguette slices with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
  • Arrange the bread on a baking sheet and toast for 6 to 8 minutes, turning once, until golden and crisp.
  • Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper and heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.
  • Cook the chicken for 4 to 5 minutes per side until browned and an internal temperature of 165°F is reached.
  • Transfer the chicken to a plate and rest for 5 minutes, then dice into small bite-size pieces.
  • In a small bowl, combine diced tomatoes, garlic, balsamic vinegar, and crushed red pepper flakes if using.
  • Spread about 2 teaspoons of pesto on each toasted baguette slice.
  • Top each slice with diced chicken and a spoonful of the tomato mixture.
  • Sprinkle with shredded Parmesan and garnish with sliced basil.
  • Serve immediately while the bread is still crisp and the toppings are fresh.

Notes

Choose thin, evenly sized chicken breasts for faster, more uniform cooking; if they are thick, butterfly or pound them to 1/2-inch. Toast the bread until just golden so it stays crisp under the juicy toppings, and add the tomato mixture right before serving to avoid sogginess. Homemade or high-quality refrigerated pesto delivers brighter flavor; if using jarred pesto, stir in a squeeze of lemon for freshness. For a crowd, keep toasted bread warm in a low oven and set up a topping station. You can substitute mozzarella for Parmesan, use rotisserie chicken for speed, or grill the bread for extra smokiness.
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