Chicken Bruschetta Bagel Casserole (Printable Version)
A hearty casserole combining everything bagels, chicken, and bruschetta flavors for a comforting meal with Italian-American flair.
# The Ingredients You'll Need:
→ Bagel Base
01 - 4 everything bagels
→ Cream Base
02 - ½ cup herb and garlic cream cheese
03 - ½ cup 18% cream
→ Protein
04 - 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
→ Bruschetta Topping
05 - 2 cups diced Roma tomatoes (seeds and juice removed)
06 - ½ cup diced red onion
07 - 2 tablespoons basil pesto
08 - ½ teaspoon salt
09 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1 teaspoon grated parmesan cheese
→ Topping
11 - ½ cup grated mozzarella cheese
# Step-by-Step Instructions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut bagels into bite-sized pieces and spread them evenly in the bottom of a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, arranging in a single layer for even baking.
02 - Place cream cheese and cream in a medium saucepan on medium-low heat and whisk until no lumps remain, whisking constantly to prevent sticking.
03 - Add the cooked, shredded chicken to the cream cheese mixture and stir until all the chicken is coated. Remove from heat.
04 - In a small mixing bowl, combine diced tomatoes, diced red onion, basil pesto, salt, pepper, and parmesan cheese. Mix gently to combine without crushing the tomatoes.
05 - Spread the chicken and cream cheese mixture evenly over the bagel pieces in the baking dish. Then, top with the bruschetta mixture, distributing evenly for balanced flavors.
06 - Sprinkle the grated mozzarella cheese evenly over the casserole for a gooey topping.
07 - Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through.
08 - Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes before cutting and serving to let it set slightly.
# Additional Tips::
01 -
- Ready in under an hour from start to finish
- Uses simple ingredients available at most grocery stores
- Perfect for meal prep and leftovers stay delicious
- No advanced cooking techniques required
02 -
- Removes excess moisture from tomatoes prevents a soggy casserole
- Can be assembled up to 8 hours ahead and refrigerated before baking
- Contains approximately 450 calories per serving with 28g of protein
03 -
- Allow cream cheese to soften at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking for easier whisking and smoother sauce
- Pat chicken dry before adding to cream mixture to prevent excess liquid from thinning the sauce
- For best results, use bagels that are a day old rather than super fresh as they absorb flavors better