Name: Delicious Chicken Caprese Pasta Salad for Quick Dinners Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 breasts boneless, skinless chicken; to taste kosher salt and pepper; 1 teaspoon dried basil; 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil; 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon dried basil; to taste kosher salt and pepper; 8 ounces spiral pasta; 2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, halved; 8 ounces fresh mozzarella, ciliegine, halved; 2/3 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped or chiffonade

Description

A vibrant and flavorful Chicken Caprese Pasta Salad that combines tender pasta, fresh mozzarella, juicy cherry tomatoes, and aromatic basil, all tossed in a tangy olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing. Perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner in just 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

2 breasts boneless, skinless chicken
to taste kosher salt and pepper
1 teaspoon dried basil

Dressing

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried basil
to taste kosher salt and pepper

Pasta & Salad

8 ounces spiral pasta
2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
8 ounces fresh mozzarella, ciliegine, halved
2/3 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped or chiffonade

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Instructions

Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spiral pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside to cool slightly.
Whisk the Dressing: In a large bowl, combine the extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, dried basil, kosher salt, and pepper. Whisk everything together thoroughly until the dressing is well blended and aromatic.
Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked and slightly cooled pasta, halved cherry tomatoes, and fresh mozzarella to the bowl with the dressing.
Toss Everything Together: Gently toss all the ingredients together to ensure the pasta, cheese, and tomatoes are evenly coated with the dressing and mixed uniformly.
Garnish: Sprinkle the freshly chopped basil leaves over the top of the salad just before serving to add a fresh, fragrant layer of flavor and a pop of vibrant green color.

Notes

Cook the chicken separately to enjoy alongside or added to the pasta salad if desired.
This pasta salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 2 days.
Use good quality extra virgin olive oil and fresh mozzarella for the best flavor.
For a vegetarian option, omit the chicken and keep the salad as is.
If you prefer a spicier dressing, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing mix.