Sunday, June 22, 2014

Bruschetta Chicken

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (3)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (1/2 cup)
½ cup grated parmesan cheese (omitted)

Spice Rub-
2 tablespoons brown sugar
juice of 1 lime
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 ½ teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Glaze-
½ cup ketchup
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon oregano
4 tablespoons brown sugar

Bruschetta-
6 roma tomatoes (diced) (2)
2 garlic cloves (minced) (1)
3 tablespoons olive oil (1)
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar (1)
2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil (1)
½ teaspoon kosher salt (to taste - sea salt)
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper (to taste)

DIRECTIONS:
To prepare the spice rub. In a small bowl combine brown sugar, lime juice, olive oil, paprika, chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper. Rub the mixture all over each side of the chicken breasts. Place into a large sealable plastic bag or container. Place into the refrigerator and marinade for 1 hour.

To make the bruschetta in a medium bowl add the roma tomatoes. Add garlic, basil, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Lightly toss all of the ingredients together. Cover and refrigerate until needed.

To prepare the glaze- in a small bowl whisk together ketchup, ¼ cup balsamic vinegar, oregano and 4 tablespoons brown sugar.

Lightly grease the grates of an outdoor grill. Heat the grill to medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken breasts to the grill. Grill the chicken breasts turning once, until they are almost fully cooked (about 10 minutes per side). Brush the chicken breasts on each side a couple of times with the glaze. Continue to cook the chicken until it is fully cooked (the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees F.).  **

During the last few minutes of cooking, top the chicken breasts with some mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Close the grill and cook until the cheese has melted.  Remove the chicken from the grill. Top each chicken breasts with bruschetta for serving.

**used a stove top double burner grill preheated to medium high
Spray grill with olive oil
Place chicken on the grill, generously brush top side with glaze.  After the chicken has seared (about 5 minutes) using tongs turn it over, generously brush glaze on seared side.  After 5 minutes repeat this process until glaze is gone and chicken is cooked through. (took me about 30 minutes).
While still on the grill sprinkle mozzarella cheese on the cooked chicken breast, top with the bruschetta, and place it in a warm oven for 10 minutes  (my oven was cooling down from previous use and was probably at about 200 when I put the chicken in).  If you prefer a cold bruschetta skip the 10 minutes in the oven.




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