An Easy Bruschetta Chicken and Asparagus recipe that is served with a tangy balsamic glaze, made in one skillet, and is ready in under 30 minutes! No one will know this restaurant-quality dinner is secretly healthy, low-carb, and Whole30. Meal prep the fresh tomato bruschetta topping ahead of time to make clean-up a breeze.
Bruschetta Chicken Recipe for Dinner
We recently had our younger cousin Mackenzie over for dinner. She is quite the foodie, and we are normally gabbing constantly about the newest Trader Joe’s finds or recipes we have tried out and loved.
So for dinner that night I decided to spring something new on both her and the hubby… this Easy Bruschetta Chicken recipe!
What is so amazing about serving this chicken and asparagus for a dinner party is how easy it is to throw together. But also how impressive it looks when served.
Your guests will think you slaved away for hours in the kitchen, when in reality… it took you less than 30 minutes!
Not to mention, you will have minimal dishes to clean up when all is said and done.
What is Bruschetta?
Bruschetta is typically a combination of toasted bread with olive oil, salt and garlic that is then topped with a mixture of either tomatoes, beans, meats, or cheeses.
The most traditional Italian variation of bruschetta has a topping of tomatoes, basil, garlic, and onions. This Easy Tomato Bruschetta is much like the one you will see in the recipe below.
Ingredients
The ingredients needed for this quick and healthy dinner are super easy to find at your grocery store.
For this meal you will need:
- Chicken – While chicken breasts are preferred, you can always use a different cut of meat if that’s what you have.
- Asparagus – To make this a full meal we’ll be cooking up the chicken with some fresh asparagus in the skillet.
- Tomatoes – The majority of the bruschetta topping is made from fresh tomatoes. Vine-ripened and Campari tomatoes work best, but you can use whatever type you have available.
- Basil – Fresh basil is the key ingredient that gives the bruschetta topping so much flavor! Do not substitute this with a dried herb.
- Onion – Red onion was used but sweet or white onion can also be substituted.
- Garlic – Fresh garlic cloves give a wonderful punch of flavor to the topping.
- Italian Seasoning – The chicken gets lightly coated in a homemade Italian Seasoning mix to give it some flavor. Feel free to use a store bought alternative or your own blend of fresh herbs.
- Balsamic Glaze – Making a homemade balsamic glaze is definitely the tastiest way to go, but you can always grab a bottle of the store bought kind instead.
Preparing the Chicken
As with every chicken recipe, you want to make sure and tenderize the meat before cooking. It’s best to do this using a meat mallet.
You can either cover up the chicken breasts with a piece of wax or parchment paper, or take it outside so the raw juices don’t splatter all over your kitchen.
Once pounded to about 1-inch thick, cut the chicken into similarly sized 4-5 ounce portions.
Sprinkle seasoning mix on top of the chicken and press it in lightly.
Bruschetta Topping
After you’ve chopped your tomatoes, onion, and basil, the tomato bruschetta comes together relatively quickly. Simply add all of the ingredients to a large bowl and toss until just combined.
One key thing to point out is that the tomatoes need to be seeded and the juice removed. If you leave the watery juice in your topping, it will end up having too much liquid and will taste watered down.
You can normally prepare this while your chicken is cooking so it’s all ready at the same time.
How to Make
The process of cooking the chicken and asparagus in a skillet is pretty quick and easy to do.
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Add 1-2 Tbsp. Olive oil and chicken breasts to a large skillet over medium heat. Cover and cook chicken breasts for 7-8 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. (Check using a meat thermometer.)
- Remove chicken from the pan once cooked and add 1 tablespoon olive oil, asparagus, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Cook for 4-5 minutes or until crisp and bright green.
- Add chicken back into the skillet to warm up it up for 2-3 minutes.
- Top with bruschetta topping and balsamic glaze just before serving.
Serving and Storing
While it may seem optional, serving this bruschetta chicken with a drizzle of balsamic reduction really takes it to the next level of awesomeness.
If you’re on a low-carb or keto diet, you can make your own at home.
For those that want to save a bit of time and aren’t too worried about the sugar, a store bought balsamic reduction can always be purchased instead.
You can store any leftovers you have in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. It’s best if you keep the bruschetta topping separate from the chicken and asparagus.
FAQs
Can I grill instead?
In this particular recipe, we cook all of our ingredients in a stainless steel skillet.
However, if you prefer to grill your bruschetta chicken, please do! Simply cook your asparagus in the skillet as called for in the directions and cook your chicken to 165 degrees on the grill.
How to tell when chicken is cooked?
For years I questioned whether or not my meat recipes were fully cooked. Until, I discovered the Almighty meat thermometer.
Now there is no more second-guessing, or cutting every single chicken breast in half in order to find out if the inside is still raw.
Simply stick the meat thermometer into the thickest chicken breast, make sure the temperature is above 165 degrees, and you’re done.
Perfectly cooked, juicy, and delicious chicken breasts for the win!
Can I add different vegetables?
You can always try substituting the asparagus with some broccoli, cauliflower or shaved Brussels sprouts.
Skillet Bruschetta Chicken and Asparagus | Whole 30
This Easy Bruschetta Chicken and Asparagus is served with a tangy balsamic glaze and is a one-skillet meal that's ready in under 30 minutes! No one will know this restaurant-quality dinner is secretly healthy, low-carb, and Whole30.
Ingredients
- 1 lb. chicken breasts pounded to 1-inch thick and cut into four 4-oz. portions
- ¼ tsp. garlic powder
- ¾ tsp. salt to taste, divided
- ⅛ tsp. black pepper to taste
- ½ tsp. Italian seasoning
- 2-3 Tbsp. olive oil divided
- 1 bunch asparagus ends trimmed, cut into 2-inch pieces
Bruschetta Topping:
- 2 cups vine-ripened tomatoes finely diced
- ¼ cup red onion finely chopped
- ¼ cup basil finely chopped
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- ¼ tsp. salt
- 2 Tbsp. balsamic reduction or 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar + 1 Tbsp. honey, optional*
Instructions
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In a small bowl combine garlic powder, ½ tsp. salt, pepper, and Italian seasonings. Whisk to combine.
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Sprinkle seasoning ingredients over chicken breasts and press in lightly.
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Add 1-2 Tbsp. olive oil and chicken breasts to a large skillet over medium heat. Cover and cook chicken breasts for 7-8 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. (Check using a meat thermometer.)
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While chicken is cooking, combine tomatoes, red onion, basil, 1 tablespoon olive oil and ¼ teaspoon salt. Mix until combined.
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Remove chicken from the pan once cooked and add 1 tablespoon olive oil, asparagus, a splash of water, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Cook for 4-5 minutes or until crisp and bright green.
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Serve chicken and asparagus with bruschetta topping and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- If Whole30, you can make your own balsamic reduction.
Erika Betts says
OMG! This was AMAZING! Thank you!!!
London says
Yay!! So happy you enjoyed it. Thanks for the comment and rating!!
Anonymous says
You had me at one skillet!
London says
Yay!!