Cheesy Chicken Bruschetta Bread Boats

Bruschetta meet caprese. You’re about to be dinner. These Cheesy Chicken Bruschetta Bread Boats are packed with flavor and ready in 30 minutes.

Cheesy Chicken Bruschetta Bread Boats are a flavor packed 30 minute meal.

They sayย hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, but I say hell hath no fury like a woman who discovers her lovingly planted and watered tomato plant has disappeared.

Just a few days ago, I was out watering my garden when I noticed something seemed a little off. ย I carefully surveyed my tiny 4 x 8 foot space. The peppers were there, the jalapeno was flourishing, and the strawberries had claimed far more space than they had a right to.

But the tomatoes…something wasn’t right. And then I realized one of my plants was gone. I rushed to the scene, searching for evidence. There were no paw prints, no disturbances, not even a hole where the plant used to be.

I couldn’t find a single trace of green left. No half-eaten leaves or a scraggly stem. Whoever (or whatever) claimed that tomato plant did a darn good job at covering their tracks, and they’re lucky they did, because if I ever find the varmint who took it, they’ll have the fury of a gardener to deal with.

Sure, I’m a little protective of my tomato plants, but it’s for a good reason. There’s nothing quite like a juicy, plump garden tomato still warm from the sun, and I intend to enjoy as many of them as I can this summer. There’s a whole lot of roasting, capreseing, and salsaing in this girl’s future.

And, barring a rascal making off with another one of my plants, there will be lots of these Cheesy Chicken Bruschetta Boats filling my kitchen this summer as well.

Cheesy Chicken Bruschetta Bread Boats are packed with fresh from the garden flavor!

This dish is a mash up of some of my favorite summer foods. Think tomato basil bruschetta meets caprese salad meets a satisfying main course dinner.

I’m always amazed at the flavor fresh herbs can lend to a dish. Just a small handful of basil, rosemary, dill, or cilantro can really elevate a ho-hum dish into something worthy of a celebration. And the great thing is, they’re so easy to grow. I do mine in small pots, and as long as I keep them well watered they stay happy (and bug and rascal free) all summer long.

Caprese meets Bruschetta in these 30 Minute Cheesy Chicken Bruschetta Bread Boats

Take these Bruschetta Bread Boats. The components don’t sound like much. It’s just some bread, chicken, cheese, and tomatoes. But when it comes to garden-fresh veggies, there is no “just”.

Here, a “simple” bread, cheese, and chicken dish is made special by juicy, garlicky tomatoes and sweet, fragrant basil. A drizzle of balsamic reduction pulls the flavors together while adding a hint of richness and tang.

The Mr. and I both loved these. It had everything we want in a meal. Varied textures, protein, fresh produce, lots of flavor, and of course, melty cheese. Always melty cheese.

Though this meal has several different parts, it comes together fairly quickly. The key is to get some of the longer components started first while you prep the other ingredients. Here’s my method for getting this on your table in under 30 minutes.

  1. Start with the balsamic reduction. Throw it in a sauce pan with a pinch of sugar and bring it to a boil. Then reduce heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until reduced by half. No stirring necessary. Or you could save yourself the trouble, and buy balsamic reduction from the store.
  2. While the balsamic gets going, add the diced chicken breast to a skillet with a bit of oil and cook until no pink remains, about 2-3 minutes a side.
  3. Meanwhile, spread a little butter or olive oil on your sub buns and place them under the broiler until they’re burnt around the edges golden, crunchy perfection. Lately, I’ve been using the broiler a lot to avoid preheating the entire oven and to speed dinner along by a few minutes. With all this practice, I’m even learning to conquer my fear of the broiler.

Cheesy Chicken Bruschetta Bread Boats

4. Once the bread is done, your chicken should be ready to go as well. Layer the chicken on the bread, then cover it with slices of mozzarella cheese. Give this another turn under the broiler until the cheese is browned and bubbling (Side note: watching cheese melt is quickly becoming my new favorite hobby.)

Cheesy Chicken Bruschetta Bread Boats

5. While the cheese melts, dice a couple tomatoes and toss them with some garlic. When the bread comes out, pile on the tomato mixture then give it one final turn under the broiler just to warm everything up.

6. By that time, your balsamic should be sweet and syrupy and ready to be drizzled over All The Things. Give the tomatoes a good drizzle of balsamic and sprinkling of basil and you’re done! You’ve got a warm, satisfying, summery meal in just 30 minutes. It’s almost good enough to convince you you don’t need a vacation…Almost.

These Cheesy Chicken Bruschetta Bread Boats are a satisfying 30 minute meal.

Cheesy Chicken Bruschetta Bread Boats #WeekdaySupper

Cheesy Chicken Bruschetta Bread Boats #WeekdaySupper

Yield: 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 large sub buns
  • 3 Tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 2 large chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 4 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced
  • 4 tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 bunch fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
  • Salt and Pepper

Instructions

  • Place the balsamic vinegar and sugar in a small sauce pan. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium low and let the mixture simmer while you continue on with the recipe. Once the vinegar is thickened and syrupy, remove from heat.
  • Meanwhile, heat the remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season the diced chicken breast with salt and pepper then place them in the skillet. Cook for a few minutes on each side until the pieces are cooked through.
  • Preheat the broiler to low. Split the sub buns in half and brush them lightly with about 1 Tablespoon of olive oil. Place them oil side up on a baking sheet and place them under the broiler for 1-2 minutes or until golden. Remove and set aside.
  • Spread the chicken evenly over the toasted bread. Top with slices of mozzarella cheese. Place the cheesy bread under the broiler for an additional 1-2 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • While the cheese is melting, combine the tomatoes and garlic and season them with salt and pepper. Once the cheese is melted, spread the tomatoes out evenly over the bread slices. If desired, place them back under the broiler for a final time to warm up the tomatoes.
  • Top bread slices with chopped basil and a drizzle of the reduced balsamic vinegar. Serve immediately.
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    50 Comments

    1. Oh my…. I just made this for the second time. The tomatoes are the star of the meal. The recipe is so flavorful and aromatic. The boats looks beautiful plated. Very easy to make and would definitely impress dinner guests. Yum Yum Yum Yum Yum

    2. I can’t believe someone stole one of your tomato plants!!! Could it have been deer? I’ve had them eat things literally into the dirt. That’s so wild. But your bruschetta looks so, so good!!

    3. How rotten of whatever little critter stole your plant! The neighborhood cats keep chewing on my kale – can’t imagine how upset I’d be about tomato plants!

    4. Sorry your plant is gone… but I am so glad you shared this amazing recipe… I am loving the fresh tomato over the warm gooey cheese!

    5. Holy f*zz, this looks good. Beyond good. Like, wetting the front of my shirt from drool good. There’s nothing I love more than crispy carbs ‘n melted cheese and of course, the fresh tomatoes and basil will make me feel like I’m eating healthy. I really gotta start making my own balsamic reduction! I’m sorry to hear your tomato plant disappeared. Who they hell took it?! You’d figure if it were an animal, there’d be traces of it, so I suspect it may be a two legged animal. My little sister’s best friend’s mom had a rockin’ vegetable garden a few years ago but because it wasn’t fenced in, all the people in the neighborhood would help themselves to fresh produce. The nerve, right?! She put up a fence with barb wire (I’m kidding on the last part but that would be a total boss move) to keep all the freeloaders out. I hope you have a new plant soon and that it doesn’t vanish!

      1. I know. We have a rather mischievous neighbor kid who keeps wandering into our yard (by knocking over the gate). My bets are on him. I don’t think they make kid traps though, so I’m just going to keep my eyes peeled for him next time.

    6. Courtney, I just happened to have all of these ingredients in the house soooooo….yep I made them last night and my husband said they were the best “pizza’s” he’s ever had! Shhhh we don’t have to tell him they aren’t pizza’s right??!!

    7. I can’t believe your tomato plant disappeared! That’s nuts! You need to nanny cam your garden ๐Ÿ˜‰ And my family would be all over these bruschetta boats!

    8. Love meals like this in the summertime. My husband made a cover that we place over our garden at the end of the day because of the sneaky little varmints. So far so good.

    9. There is nothing like garden fresh tomatoes. I can’t wait until they’re ready for picking here. So odd that one of your plants went MIA! Boo. Hiss. Once we can pick our own tomatoes, I am SO making this recipe!!! It looks incredible! Pinning ๐Ÿ™‚
      Renee – Kudos Kitchen

    10. Uh yeah, I just figured out what I’m having for dinner tonight. This! Also think a neighbor stole the tomatoes? That so weird.

    11. I bet you it was a groundhog! My mom gets tons of them. They leave no prints but sure did eat every last piece of broccoli she had! Either way, these look fantastic!

    12. Let us know if you ever find out about the missing tomato plant! This looks so wonderful, and summery. And I love how easy it is to throw together – perfect for a weeknight meal! Pinning now!

    13. This looks so good, I can just taste it. I love all the bruschetta on top of the cheesy bread, yummy!

    14. What an absolutely perfect way to use garden fresh tomatoes! Mine are loaded with green ones right now and I can’t wait until they start to ripen. I’ll definitely use a few to enjoy in this recipe.

    15. K- this just made my mouth water! I love it! as far as you missing plant goes – someone had a yummy snack lol! Last summer I stood at my kitchen window almost in a daze watching 1 groundhog devour my pepper plants – I was fascinated at the speed of it. By the time I came to my senses he had devoured a full long hot plant and a jalapeno plant. As long as they leave some for me, I am ok – he never did come back to eat more – maybe they were too spicy!

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