Chicken Bruschetta Casserole

Why Chicken Bruschetta Casserole Will Steal Your Heart

If you’ve ever stood in your kitchen at 5:45 PM, staring into your fridge with no idea what to cook, this Chicken Bruschetta Casserole is your knight in shining armor (or at least in melty cheese). With its crispy everything bagel base, creamy chicken center, and bright, zesty bruschetta topping, this dish turns simple ingredients into something your whole crew will ask for again and again.

Honestly, I stumbled upon this idea on one of those “use-what’s-left-in-the-fridge” nights—half a bag of everything bagels, some leftover shredded chicken, and a half-eaten container of cream cheese. Fast forward to today: it’s become one of the most requested dinners in our house!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Grab these from your pantry and fridge (I promise, nothing fancy here):

• 4 everything bagels
• ½ cup herb and garlic cream cheese
• ½ cup 18% cream
• 2 cups chicken breast, cooked & shredded (about 2 medium-sized breasts)
• 2 cups Roma tomatoes, diced (seeds and juice removed)
• ½ cup red onion, diced
• 2 tbsp basil pesto
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp grated parmesan cheese
• ½ cup mozzarella cheese, finely grated

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Bruschetta Casserole

This isn’t just any casserole—it’s the kind of dish that makes your kitchen smell like an Italian bistro collided with a cozy Sunday dinner. Here’s why it’s a keeper:

• Super simple to throw together, especially with leftover chicken.
• Loaded with flavor thanks to garlic cream cheese, pesto, and those magic bagels.
• Versatile – it works just as well for brunch as it does for dinner.
• Kid-approved (yes, even with the tomatoes—they get all roasty and sweet in the oven!).

Let’s Get Cooking: Step-by-Step

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. Chop the bagels into bite-sized pieces. Scatter them in a greased 9×13 casserole dish—think of them like your crouton-y base.
3. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the herb and garlic cream cheese with the 18% cream over medium-low heat. You’re going for silky-smooth here.
4. Add the shredded chicken to your creamy mixture. Stir until every shred is coated in deliciousness, then remove from heat.
5. In a small bowl, toss together your tomatoes, red onion, pesto, parmesan, salt, and pepper. It’s bruschetta, but make it next-level.
6. Layer it up: Spoon the chicken-cream cheese mixture over the bagel chunks, smoothing it into all the nooks and crannies.
7. Add your fresh bruschetta mix right on top.
8. Sprinkle with grated mozzarella—don’t skimp!
9. Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
10. Let it cool for just a few minutes (we know it’s hard to wait!) before slicing and serving.

Tips for the Best Chicken Bruschetta Casserole Ever

• No herb cream cheese? Mix plain cream cheese with a little garlic powder and Italian seasoning—it’ll do the trick!
• Don’t skip removing tomato seeds—too much moisture will sog up your bagels.
• Want even more zing? A drizzle of balsamic glaze on top after baking is heavenly.
• This casserole reheats like a dream—perfect for leftovers (if there are any!).

Real Talk: My Go-To for Busy Nights

This recipe became a go-to after one chaotic Wednesday when I had 25 minutes to pull dinner together before soccer practice. I threw it all in the oven, crossed my fingers, and—boom—it was love at first bite. My youngest even asked if we could have “that bagel lasagna thing” every week. I’ll take that as a win

FAQs About Chicken Bruschetta Casserole

Conclusion

Whether you’re feeding picky eaters, trying to use up fridge odds and ends, or just craving something cozy, Chicken Bruschetta Casserole hits all the right notes. It’s savory, creamy, crunchy, and bright—like a big hug from your oven. So go ahead, give it a try this week. Your dinner table will thank you!

Keep the Chicken Magic Going: More Delicious Ideas to Try!

If you loved this Chicken Bruschetta Casserole, you’re in for a real treat—there’s a whole world of chicken recipes waiting to make your weeknight dinners even more exciting. Here are a few of my favorite dishes that pair beautifully with the flavors and vibes of this casserole:

1. Bruschetta Chicken – If you’re a fan of the tomato-basil combo, this fresh and juicy grilled version is a must-try. It’s basically the lighter cousin of your new favorite casserole.
2. Chicken Enchilada Casserole – Craving something cozy and cheesy with a little Tex-Mex flair? This layered beauty is perfect for when you want comfort food with a kick.
3. Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice – For those nights when only a creamy, comforting hug in a bowl will do, this Southern-inspired dish brings all the cozy vibes.
4. Street Corn Chicken Casserole – Love bold flavors and creamy textures? This one’s for you. It’s like a summer BBQ met a casserole dish and created something magical.

Each of these recipes brings its own spin on flavor-packed, easy-to-make chicken dishes that the whole family will love. So go ahead—click through, pick one, and keep that dinnertime magic alive!

Chicken Bruschetta Casserole

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• Author: Aneta
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

This Chicken Bruschetta Casserole is a cozy, flavor-packed meal that layers everything bagels, creamy shredded chicken, and a fresh tomato-basil bruschetta topping—all baked under a blanket of melty mozzarella. It’s the perfect easy weeknight dinner that feels gourmet without the fuss.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 everything bagels

• ½ cup herb and garlic cream cheese

• ½ cup 18% cream

• 2 cups chicken breast, cooked and shredded (about 2 medium breasts)

• 2 cups Roma tomatoes, diced, seeds and juice removed

• ½ cup red onion, diced

• 2 tablespoons basil pesto

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 teaspoon grated parmesan cheese

• ½ cup mozzarella cheese, finely grated

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F and grease a 9×13 casserole dish.

2. Cut the everything bagels into bite-sized pieces and spread evenly in the dish.

3. In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, whisk the cream cheese and 18% cream until smooth and lump-free.

4. Add shredded chicken to the sauce and stir until fully coated. Remove from heat.

5. In a small bowl, combine tomatoes, red onion, basil pesto, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese.

6. Spread the creamy chicken mixture over the bagels, then top with the bruschetta mixture.

7. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly on top.

8. Bake for 30 minutes until bubbly and golden.

9. Let cool for 5–10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

Don’t have herb and garlic cream cheese? Mix plain cream cheese with garlic powder and Italian seasoning.
For extra flavor, drizzle balsamic glaze on top just before serving.
This casserole reheats beautifully—perfect for leftovers the next day.

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins
• Category: Main course
• Method: Baking

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 430 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 610 mg
• Fat: 23 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 95 mg