Italian Bacon Tomato Chicken Strata
Elevate your brunch or dinner gathering with this irresistible Italian Bacon Tomato Chicken Strata, a savory baked casserole that's bursting with classic Italian flavors. This hearty dish features fluffy cubes of French or Italian bread soaked in a rich egg and milk mixture, layered with crispy thick-cut bacon, tender seasoned chicken bites, and fresh, juicy diced tomatoes. Infused with garlic, Parmesan, and gooey melted mozzarella, every bite is a perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, and cheesy deliciousness. Topped with optional fresh basil for a fragrant finish, this make-ahead-friendly recipe is ideal for feeding a crowd or meal-prepping for the week. With its bold flavors and comforting texture, this strata is guaranteed to become a family favorite! Serve it warm for a comforting meal that pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 slices thick-cut bacon
- 2 pieces chicken breast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 cups French or Italian bread, cubed
- 2 cups fresh tomatoes, diced
- 3 pieces garlic cloves, minced
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 6 pieces large eggs
- 2 cups milk
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (optional garnish)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or a light coating of olive oil.
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon from the skillet and crumble it into small pieces once cooled. Set aside.
Season the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. In the same skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and cook the chicken breasts for 5-6 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove, let cool slightly, and dice into bite-sized pieces.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cubed bread, cooked chicken, crumbled bacon, diced tomatoes, minced garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Toss to mix evenly.
Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
In the same mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Pour this mixture evenly over the bread mixture in the baking dish, pressing down gently to ensure all the bread absorbs the liquid.
Top the strata evenly with the shredded mozzarella cheese.
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly, and the strata is fully set.
Remove from the oven and let rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped basil if desired.
Slice into portions and serve warm. Enjoy your Italian Bacon Tomato Chicken Strata!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
6528 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 232.8 g | 298% | |
| Saturated Fat | 84.4 g | 422% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1668 mg | 556% | |
| Sodium | 14775 mg | 642% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 771.6 g | 281% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 52.0 g | 186% | |
| Total Sugars | 82.1 g | ||
| Protein | 345.5 g | 691% | |
| Vitamin D | 11.4 mcg | 57% | |
| Calcium | 3874 mg | 298% | |
| Iron | 59.3 mg | 329% | |
| Potassium | 4301 mg | 92% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
