Chicken Caprese Pasta

Last Updated on April 13, 2023 by Kayla Berman

Chicken Caprese Pasta is an easy, healthy, and delicious 30 minute dinner recipe! Made with penne pasta, chicken, juicy tomatoes, melty fresh mozzarella cheese, balsamic vinegar and glaze, and fresh basil … this pasta dish is flavorful, light, and creamy all at the same time. It is protein packed, filling, and satisfying too!

Lovin’ the chicken and pasta combo? Head on over to my Marry Me Chicken Pasta or Creamy Lemon Chicken Pasta next.

chicken caprese pasta in a large pan

Easy & Delicious 30 Minute Weeknight Dinner

I could eat pasta at every meal, everyday for the rest of my life! It is actually my absolute favorite food on this earth.

However, as we all know it is carb central. Which is not bad by any means!

But in order to make pasta a well-rounded meal, we need to balance it up. Spruce it up with some fresh vegetables, protein, flavor, and seasonings if you will.

Chicken Caprese Pasta is the perfect spruced up pasta! It is a fabulous weeknight dinner for you and your family.

Made with penne pasta, chicken breast, juicy tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, balsamic vinegar and glaze, and fresh basil … this 30 minute pasta dish is quick, easy, and delicious.

It is herby, flavorful, light, and creamy all at the same time! Plus it is protein packed, filling, and satisfying.

Looking for more healthy pasta recipes? Check out my Sun Dried Tomato Pasta and Pasta Primavera.

pasta with tomatoes, chicken, fresh basil, and fresh mozzarella

Recipe Ingredients

This delicious pasta is full of fresh and delicious ingredients! They come together to make what will soon become your favorite pasta.

Ingredient Notes

  • Pasta: This recipe calls for 8 oz pasta! I recommend using penne pasta or rigatoni pasta, but any type of noodles will work. You could also use chickpea pasta for some extra protein.
  • Chicken: You’ll need 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts for this dish.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: The best ingredient in this recipe might just be the creamy mozzarella! Add 8 oz mozzarella pearls.
  • Tomatoes: Add 1 1/2 cups halved grape tomatoes! Or cherry tomatoes.
  • Balsamic Glaze & Vinegar: Balsamic glaze and balsamic vinegar is what gives this pasta its caprese vibe! 1 tbsp vinegar and 2 tbsp glaze does the trick perfectly.
  • Olive Oil: This recipe calls for 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil for all things sautéing.
  • Fresh Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves add such delicious flavor here. 2 tbsp minced garlic is perfect!
  • Fresh Basil: An absolute must in this recipe is fresh basil. It adds top notch flavor! You’ll add a whole bunch here – 1/4 cup to be exact.
  • Seasoning: This caprese pasta recipe only calls for a few simple seasonings … 1 tsp dried basil and 1/2 tsp dried oregano. Plus salt and pepper to taste!

Substitutions & Additions

I think this recipe is perfect as is, so I really wouldn’t recommend changing too much.

However, there are a few substitutions and additions you could make for it to meet your personal preferences, tastes, or needs!

Chicken: You could totally swap in a different protein source here if you’d like. Rotisserie chicken could be used!

Or you could stray completely from chicken … perhaps ground turkey. Or go vegetarian with chickpeas or cannelloni beans.

Seasonings: The seasonings are pretty simple here. Feel free to spice it up with red pepper flakes, garlic powder, onion powder, or Italian seasoning.

Mozzarella Cheese: I used the mini fresh mozzarella balls in this recipe. I believe they are called Bocconcini! If you can’t find these, just use fresh mozzarella pieces.

Or try a different type of cheese. I think either ricotta or burrata cheese would be fantastic! Serving with parmesan cheese on top is also always a great idea.

Veggies: This would be a fabulous recipe to add some vegetables to. Perhaps zucchini or broccoli!

chicken caprese pasta ingredients

Kitchen Tools

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How To Make This Recipe

This pasta dish is extremely easy to make! It comes together in about 30 minutes with minimal effort required.

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1: Cut the chicken breasts into small, bite-sized cubes.

Step 2: Then prepare the pasta according to the package instructions. Once cooked, set aside.

Step 3: Meanwhile, add 1 tbsp olive oil to a large skillet on the stove over medium-high heat.  Once hot, add in the chicken and season with salt and black pepper.  Sauté until the chicken is cooked through, about 8 minutes. To get the chicken crispy and golden brown, let sit undisturbed for a few minutes on each side. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet.

sautéed chicken in a large pan

Step 4: Turn the heat to low and add the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil, minced garlic, dried basil, and dried oregano to the pan. Sauté for about 1 minute. Add in the halved cherry tomatoes and season with salt and black pepper.  Sauté on low for about 5 minutes, until the tomatoes soften and become saucy.  Then add in the balsamic vinegar and combine. Cook for another 1 minute.

Step 5: Add the cooked pasta and cooked chicken to the skillet with the tomatoes.  Combine thoroughly.

Step 6: Remove the skillet from the heat.  Stir in the fresh mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, and balsamic glaze.  If you want the cheese to get nice and melty you could keep the skillet on a very low heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 7: Serve and enjoy! For serving, I suggest garnishing with fresh basil, a balsamic glaze drizzle, and some extra fresh tomatoes.

caprese chicken pasta

Expert Tips

Use chickpea pasta for some extra protein! I love Banza.

Add some summer vegetables to up the nutrition in this pasta dish.

Let the mozzarella cheese heat up a bit and get all melty. Next level yum!

Season with salt and pepper to taste.

close up shot of caprese pasta

Frequently Asked Questions

What does caprese mean?

Caprese means “denoting a salad of fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil.” The salad is named after Capri, Italy where it is believed to have originated from.

This dish is inspired by that classic salad! It takes the flavors and ingredients and puts them into a delicious pasta. So good!

If you’re looking for another caprese recipe, check out my Hasselback Caprese Salad, Burrata Caprese Salad, or Tortellini Caprese Salad. Can you see I have a thing for caprese salads??

How to best store this recipe?

This recipe is best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for about 5 days – 1 week!

Can I freeze this recipe?

Yes, absolutely! I think this would be a great recipe to freeze.

Simply transfer to a freezer safe container or bag and place in the freezer. It will keep for a couple of months!

Do I have to use mozzarella pearls?

Nope! Any fresh mozzarella will work here.

If you can’t find the mini mozzarella pearls, just chop up any fresh mozzarella. It will work exactly the same!

penne pasta with tomatoes, fresh basil, chicken, and melty mozzarella

Love this recipe? Check out some more great recipes below…

Pasta Recipes

Chicken Recipes

Connect With Me!

If you make this caprese pasta recipe or any of my other recipes, I would absolutely love to know! Tag me @wellnessbykay on Instagram so I can see and share your recreations.

caprese chicken pasta

Love this recipe? Leave a comment and a rating! I love to see and it helps me continue to develop delicious recipes for this blog.

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Chicken Caprese Pasta

Chicken Caprese Pasta is an easy, healthy, and delicious 30 minute dinner recipe! Made with penne pasta, chicken, juicy tomatoes, melty fresh mozzarella cheese, balsamic vinegar and glaze, and fresh basil … this pasta dish is flavorful, light, and creamy all at the same time. It is protein packed, filling, and satisfying too!

  • Author: Kayla Berman
  • Prep Time: 20 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 Minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 Servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz pasta
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, about 1.3 lbs
  • 2 tbsp olive oil, separated
  • 2 tbsp minced garlic
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 1/2 cups halved grape tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
  • 8 oz fresh mozzarella pearls
  • 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Instructions

  1. Cut the chicken breasts into small, bite-sized cubes.
  2. Then prepare the pasta according to the package instructions. Once cooked, set aside.
  3. Meanwhile, add 1 tbsp olive oil to a large skillet on the stove over medium-high heat.  Once hot, add in the chicken and season with salt and pepper.  Sauté until the chicken is cooked through, about 8 minutes. To get the chicken crispy and golden brown, let sit undisturbed for a few minutes on each side. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet.
  4. Turn the heat to low and add the remaining 1 tbsp olive oil, minced garlic, dried basil, and dried oregano to the pan. Sauté for about 1 minute. Add in the halved cherry tomatoes and season with salt and pepper.  Sauté on low for about 5 minutes, until the tomatoes soften and become saucy.  Then add in the balsamic vinegar and combine. Cook for another 1 minute.
  5. Add the cooked pasta and cooked chicken to the skillet with the tomatoes.  Combine thoroughly.
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat.  Stir in the fresh mozzarella cheese, fresh basil, and balsamic glaze.  If you want the cheese to get nice and melty you could keep the skillet on a very low heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. Serve and enjoy!

Keywords: chicken caprese pasta, chicken pasta caprese, caprese chicken pasta, caprese pasta chicken, chicken caprese pasta recipe

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