FREE 5-Ingredient Recipe EBook

• Why You Need My Bruschetta Chicken Recipe
• Ingredients & Substitutions
• How To Make Bruschetta Chicken
• My Recipe Tips
• Storage & Meal Prep
• Serving Ideas
• More Italian Chicken Recipes
• Bruschetta Chicken Recipe card
• Gratitude Moment
• Recipe Reviews

This bruschetta chicken recipe is really close to my heart. It’s inspired by one of my earliest cooking attempts during a 4th of July trip with friends to northern Minnesota. We’d hike, have bonfires, and all pitch in with food prep. Although I was hardly a cook at the time, I came up with a bruschetta mix using both fresh and sun-dried tomatoes . Back then I would serve it on French bread and it pretty quickly became a crowd favorite.

Fast forward to today, and I’ve swapped the bread for grilled chicken (even better!). And then I adapted my chicken bruschetta, so now you can bake it in the oven any time of year. Make it with me!

Why You Need My Bruschetta Chicken Recipe

• The best bruschetta topping – Many versions use only one type of tomato, but my chicken bruschetta recipe has both juicy fresh tomatoes and sweet sun-dried tomatoes. I’m obsessed with this combo that made everyone ask for seconds in my original version!
• Juicy, tender chicken with your choice of cooking method – I originally made bruschetta chicken on my grill, but now you can bake it, too. It’s too good not to enjoy year-round! And I’ll show you how to keep it tender and juicy.
• Quick, simple, and healthy – This dish comes together in just around 30 minutes, and the simple ingedients are easy to find. It’s a fresh, protein-packed winner of a chicken dinner .

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here I explain the best ingredients for my bruschetta chicken recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card .

Chicken:

• Chicken – I usually use boneless skinless chicken breasts, but you can opt for boneless chicken thighs. Steer clear of bone-in, skin-on cuts, because the topping will soften crispy skin.
• Olive Oil – I like this one . Avocado oil is great, too.
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper – I season the chicken simply, as the topping adds enough flavor. Feel free to add other spices, like garlic powder or paprika.
• Fresh Mozzarella Cheese – It gets nice and melty! Shredded also works if that’s what you’ve got.

Bruschetta Topping:

• Tomatoes – My signature bruschetta topping has a mix of fresh cherry tomatoes and sun-dried tomatoes . You can use chop Roma tomatoes instead of cherry ones, but I highly recommend including the sun-dried ones!
• Fresh Basil – Brightens everything up. A little fresh oregano, some Italian seasoning , or even arugula can add a similar boost.
• Garlic – Mince it fresh, or use a teaspoon of the jarred stuff for a shortcut.
• Olive & Vinegar – Olive oil (either regular or extra virgin olive oil) and balsamic bring it all together. You can use lemon juice in place of balsamic in a pinch, but it’s just not the same.
• Sea Salt & Black Pepper

How To Make Bruschetta Chicken

I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card .

1. Make the bruschetta topping. Combine the cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, garlic, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Mix well and set aside.
2. Season the chicken. While your grill or oven preheats, brush both sides of the chicken with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. If you’ll use the oven, place the chicken in a baking dish ( I love this one that’s pretty enough to go straight to the table).
3. Cook the chicken. I opted for the grill this time, but you can also bake the chicken.

1. Top with mozzarella. Add the cheese in the last few minutes of cooking. Remove from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes.
2. Pile on the topping. Spoon the tomato mixture evenly over the chicken breasts. I like to garnish my bruschetta chicken with more fresh basil.

My Recipe Tips

• Make the bruschetta topping first. It will marinate while you cook the chicken, bringing out its flavors.
• Adjust salt and pepper in the topping to taste. The amount of salt you need will depend on how salty your sun-dried tomatoes are. Black pepper is a matter of preference — mine was not spicy, but you can add more.
• Use a meat thermometer. I prefer my probe thermometer so I don’t have to babysit the chicken, but also like this instant-read thermometer . You’re shooting for 165 degrees F, but I like to pull it at 162-163 degrees F and let the temp rise to 165 while resting. It’s extra juicy that way! If using boneless chicken thighs, I recommend 170 degrees F, because that’s when the collagen in dark meat breaks down and gets extra juicy.
• Add the cheese only toward the end. I’ve tried topping the chicken near the beginning, and most of the cheese slides off by the end. Adding it in the last few minutes ensures that it stays on!

See my baked chicken breast and grilled chicken breast recipes for more of my tips on these cooking methods!

You can also pan sear the chicken breast in a skillet or grill pan , or even make air fryer chicken if you prefer.

Storage & Meal Prep

• Store: Keep leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. I recommend storing the topping and chicken in separate airtight containers. If you just have extra topping, toss it with fresh mozzarella and basil for a chopped Caprese salad !
• Meal prep: You can mix the topping up to 2 days in advance. I prefer to cook the chicken right before serving, but you could also make the entire recipe ahead.
• Reheat: Warm bruschetta chicken in the oven (without the topping) at 350 degrees F for best results. The microwave works, but can dry it out. Top with the bruschetta mixture after reheating.
• Freeze: You can freeze the chicken in a zip lock bag for up to 3 months. Avoid freezing the topping.

Serving Ideas

My bruschetta chicken recipe goes with many different sides! Try these:

• Simple salads – Toss together my quick antipasto salad , marinated artichoke salad , or colorful roasted vegetable salad . Or just serve the chicken bruschetta right on top of my arugula salad .
• Starches – I love this summery dish over zucchini noodles in particular, but your favorite pasta works, too. Make a double batch of the topping to mix into the noodles! You can also opt for rice, cauliflower rice , my hands-off air fryer baked potatoes , or creamy mashed cauliflower .
• Veggies – My baked asparagus , roasted artichokes , or roasted zucchini pair well with the Italian flavors here. If you’re grilling, try grilled broccoli .
• Soups – Kick things off with a cozy bowl of my zucchini soup or Zuppa Toscana .
• More toppings – If you want to get fancy, drizzle your bruschetta chicken with balsamic glaze for a glossy finish, pesto sauce for extra herby flavor, or sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

More Italian Chicken Recipes

Craving more summery Italian-inspired chicken dishes? Here are more of my favorites:

Balsamic Chicken

Basil Pesto Chicken

Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken

Chicken Caprese

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

Bruschetta Topping:

• 1 1/2 cups Cherry tomatoes (diced) ▢
• 1/2 cup Sun-dried tomatoes (chopped) ▢
• 1/4 cup Fresh basil (chopped; plus more for garnish if desired) ▢
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced) ▢
• 1 1/2 tbsp Olive oil ▢
• 1 tbsp Balsamic vinegar ▢
• 1/8 tsp Sea salt (to taste) ▢
• 1/8 tsp Black pepper (to taste) ▢

Chicken:

• 4 8-oz Boneless skinless chicken breasts ▢
• 2 tbsp Olive oil ▢
• 1/2 tsp Sea salt ▢
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper ▢
• 2 oz Fresh mozzarella cheese (sliced) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

1. In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients for the bruschetta topping: cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, garlic, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Adjust the salt and pepper to taste if you need to. Stir to mix well and set aside.
2. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat for at least 10 minutes or preheat your oven to 450 degrees F (232 degrees C).
3. Meanwhile, brush both sides of the chicken breasts with olive oil. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. If you’re using the oven method, place them in a baking dish with space between them.
4. Cook the chicken breasts on the grill for 6-8 minutes per side (flipping once), or in the oven for 18-22 minutes . In the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, top each piece of chicken with a slice of fresh mozzarella.
5. Remove the chicken from heat and let it rest for 5-10 minutes .
6. Spoon the tomato mixture evenly over the chicken breasts. If you like, top your bruschetta chicken with more fresh basil for garnish.

LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 chicken breast with 1/4 of bruschetta topping

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Bruschetta Chicken

Gratitude Moment

Here’s us looking like babies on one of our hikes in Lutsen (in Northern Minnesota). This was in our 20s, and apparently we were too busy partying at meals to take any pictures of the bruschetta… or any of the other food.

We sure had fun, though, and I’m grateful for these memories. These hikes were my favorite part. And back then, I never could have imagined that I’d be sharing that bruschetta topping over chicken on the internet years later.

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• The Basic Keto Meal Formula
• Understanding Macros
• Keto Food Swaps
• Keto Food List
• Electrolyte Basics
• Keto Diet Types
• Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
• Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Keto Swaps For Bread

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Keto Swaps For Drinks

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Foods To Eat On Keto

• Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
• Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
• Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
• Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
• Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
• Avocados
• Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
• Almond flour and coconut flour
• Eggs
• Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

• White flour & sugar
• Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
• Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
• Cereal
• Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
• Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
• Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
• Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
• Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
• Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

• Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
• Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
• Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
• Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Bruschetta Chicken

You’ll love my easy bruschetta chicken recipe with balsamic tomato topping & melty cheese! Make this simple, fresh meal in about 30 minutes.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/bruschetta-chicken/

Ingredients

Bruschetta Topping:

• 1 1/2 cups Cherry tomatoes (diced)
• 1/2 cup Sun-dried tomatoes (chopped)
• 1/4 cup Fresh basil (chopped; plus more for garnish if desired)
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 1/2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1 tbsp Balsamic vinegar
• 1/8 tsp Sea salt (to taste)
• 1/8 tsp Black pepper (to taste)

Chicken:

• 4 8-oz Boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 tbsp Olive oil
• 1/2 tsp Sea salt
• 1/4 tsp Black pepper
• 2 oz Fresh mozzarella cheese (sliced)

Instructions

1. In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients for the bruschetta topping: cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, garlic, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. Adjust the salt and pepper to taste if you need to. Stir to mix well and set aside.
2. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat for at least 10 minutes or preheat your oven to 450 degrees F (232 degrees C).
3. Meanwhile, brush both sides of the chicken breasts with olive oil. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. If you’re using the oven method, place them in a baking dish with space between them.
4. Cook the chicken breasts on the grill for 6-8 minutes per side (flipping once), or in the oven for 18-22 minutes . In the last 2-3 minutes of cooking, top each piece of chicken with a slice of fresh mozzarella.
5. Remove the chicken from heat and let it rest for 5-10 minutes .
6. Spoon the tomato mixture evenly over the chicken breasts. If you like, top your bruschetta chicken with more fresh basil for garnish.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 1 chicken breast with 1/4 of bruschetta topping

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)