The Clean Eating Bruschetta Chicken Casserole is a hearty and wholesome meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights, offering a delicious way to enjoy classic Italian flavors without the fuss. This recipe is incredibly useful because it transforms simple ingredients into a satisfying, family-friendly dish that fits perfectly into a clean eating lifestyle.
Key Ingredients for Clean Eating Bruschetta Chicken Casserole:
- 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon balsamic glaze (optional, for extra flavor)
- 8 ounces whole wheat pasta (such as penne, rotini, or macaroni)
- 1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (for topping)
How to Make Clean Eating Bruschetta Chicken Casserole:
This Clean Eating Bruschetta Chicken Casserole is incredibly easy to make, promising a delicious and satisfying meal that will become a staple in your rotation. It boasts a wonderfully creamy sauce that hugs tender chicken and pasta, all topped with vibrant bruschetta flavors. With a preparation time of just 20 minutes and a cook time of 35-40 minutes, you can have a nourishing and flavorful dinner on the table without a long wait.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Prepare the Chicken: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Pat the chicken breasts or thighs dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
- Sear the Chicken (Optional but Recommended): Heat a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and sear for about 3-4 minutes per side, until lightly browned. This step adds an extra layer of flavor. If not using an oven-safe skillet, transfer the seared chicken to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Make the Sauce: In a separate bowl, combine the undrained diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, minced garlic, and balsamic glaze (if using). Stir well to combine.
- Cook the Pasta: While the chicken is searing or being transferred, cook the whole wheat pasta according to package directions in a pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
- Assemble the Casserole: If your chicken is not in an oven-safe skillet, pour the tomato sauce mixture evenly over the chicken in the baking dish. If using an oven-safe skillet, pour the sauce over the seared chicken.
- Incorporate the Pasta: Add the drained pasta to the skillet or baking dish, stirring gently to coat it with the sauce and combine with the chicken. If the mixture seems a bit too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.
- Incorporate the Bruschetta Toppings: In a small bowl, mix together the chopped fresh basil, fresh parsley, and chopped red onion. Sprinkle about half of this mixture over the pasta and chicken.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake the Casserole: Cover the skillet or baking dish tightly with foil. Bake for 25 minutes.
- Broil for Golden Perfection: Remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining bruschetta topping mixture over the cheese (if desired for extra freshness). Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Broil for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly golden brown and bubbly. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Rest and Serve: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Why You’ll Love This Clean Eating Bruschetta Chicken Casserole:
You’ll adore this Clean Eating Bruschetta Chicken Casserole for its vibrant, fresh tomato and basil topping that sings with classic Italian flavors, offering a delightful twist reminiscent of a deconstructed bruschetta in a comforting casserole format. Making this dish at home is incredibly cost-effective, allowing you to stretch your grocery budget further than buying pre-made meals, and it’s packed with wholesome ingredients that nourish your body without compromising on taste. The combination of tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a rich tomato sauce, all topped with a bright, herbaceous bruschetta mixture, creates a symphony of textures and flavors that’s simply irresistible.
Unlike a heavy, cream-laden pasta dish, this casserole offers a lighter yet equally satisfying experience, making it ideal for any day of the week. Its simplicity means you can get a delicious, homemade meal on the table with minimal effort, proving that healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Don’t just take our word for it; try this incredible Clean Eating Bruschetta Chicken Casserole tonight and discover your new go-to family favorite!
Storing and Reheating Tips:
This Clean Eating Bruschetta Chicken Casserole stores beautifully, making it perfect for meal prepping or enjoying leftovers.
- Refrigeration: Once the casserole has cooled completely, transfer any leftovers to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, scoop a portion into a microwave-safe dish and microwave on medium power until heated through, about 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway. Alternatively, you can reheat individual portions in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or broth to prevent drying, or reheat the entire casserole in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 15-20 minutes, covered, until warmed through.
- Freezing: For longer storage, allow the casserole to cool completely. Portion it into freezer-safe containers or wrap tightly in foil and then place in a freezer bag. It can be kept in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating as directed above.
Final Thoughts:
This Clean Eating Bruschetta Chicken Casserole is a truly delightful and nourishing dish that proves healthy eating can be incredibly flavorful and satisfying. We encourage you to give this simple yet impressive recipe a try; you’ll be amazed at how easily it becomes a family favorite. Happy cooking!
Clean Eating Bruschetta Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Pat the chicken breasts or thighs dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, toss the chicken with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder, 0.25 teaspoon salt, 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
- Heat a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and sear for about 3-4 minutes per side, until lightly browned. This step adds an extra layer of flavor. If not using an oven-safe skillet, transfer the seared chicken to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, combine the undrained diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, minced garlic, and balsamic glaze (if using). Stir well to combine.1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained, 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce, 2 cloves garlic, minced, 1 teaspoon balsamic glaze
- While the chicken is searing or being transferred, cook the whole wheat pasta according to package directions in a pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.8 ounces whole wheat pasta
- If your chicken is not in an oven-safe skillet, pour the tomato sauce mixture evenly over the chicken in the baking dish. If using an oven-safe skillet, pour the sauce over the seared chicken.
- Add the drained pasta to the skillet or baking dish, stirring gently to coat it with the sauce and combine with the chicken. If the mixture seems a bit too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to loosen it up.8 ounces whole wheat pasta
- In a small bowl, mix together the chopped fresh basil, fresh parsley, and chopped red onion. Sprinkle about half of this mixture over the pasta and chicken.0.25 cup chopped fresh basil, 0.25 cup chopped fresh parsley, 0.25 cup chopped red onion
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.1 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- Cover the skillet or baking dish tightly with foil. Bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining bruschetta topping mixture over the cheese (if desired for extra freshness). Drizzle with 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. Broil for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly golden brown and bubbly. Watch carefully to prevent burning.1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, 0.25 cup chopped fresh basil, 0.25 cup chopped fresh parsley, 0.25 cup chopped red onion
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.