By using leftover or pre-cooked chicken, this recipe for Caprese Chicken Pasta Salad is not only healthy… it’s a SNAP to make!
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Caprese Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
Whenever it comes to a combination of chicken, pesto and cheese… I’m all-in. Add some pasta to it and I’m diving into it like a champ!
This recipe uses prepared pesto instead of fresh basil leaves (although I used fresh basil for garnish). What’s so easy is that you can use prepared basil pesto from a jar or make your own homemade pesto if you have a lot of basil growing. Although I don’t have a green thumb, I’ve always had good luck with basil and LOVE making homemade pesto with it.
Another shortcut is to use leftover chicken or the meat from a ready-made rotisserie chicken.
When cooked rotisserie chickens are on sale for $4.98… YES, of course I’m going to buy it over buying an uncooked one at the same price or more!
And if you opt not to add chicken, that’s cool too. These are the simple ingredients you’ll need to add to the pasta you choose to use: tomatoes, pesto, mozzarella cheese and a balsamic vinaigrette dressing.
A simple, healthy and complete dinner made in a snap!
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Caprese Chicken Pasta Salad
Yield: 4-6 servings 1x Scale
Yield:
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Pin RecipeIngredients
For the balsamic vinaigrette:
- 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 heaping teaspoon fresh minced garlic
For the pasta salad:
- 12 ounces pasta, cooked according to package directions (I used penne pasta)
- 2/3 cup prepared basil pesto
- 1 pint grape tomatoes, quartered
- 8 ounces mozzarella cheese, cubed or shredded
- 2–1/2 cups cups fully cooked cubed or shredded chicken
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the vinaigrette by whisking together balsamic vinegar, olive oil and minced garlic in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
- Transfer pasta to a large bowl and add pesto. Stir gently until well coated. Add chicken, tomatoes, cheese, salt and pepper. Stir gently again to combine.
- Add desired amount of balsamic vinaigrette to each serving.
Notes
Adapted from Closet Cooking & Simply Scratch
Valerie | From Valerie's Kitchen says
May 2, 2014 at 11:38 amThis is the perfect summer cook-out salad. Totally saving this one.
Amy @ The Blond Cook says
May 2, 2014 at 1:44 pmThanks Valerie! 🙂 We sure did enjoy it!
Michael@ItalianCuisineSanDiego says
March 17, 2015 at 2:31 amI love its Flavour…
Its a Healthy yummy pasta with the fully cooked cubed or shredded chicken…
Salt and pepper’s tastes makes it classy
I Think it is 10/on 10….
love it
★★★★