In my imagination, I’m one of those ultra-organized super women who uses her Sunday mornings to fold the laundry, prep an entire week’s worth of meals, and do sunrise yoga. In actuality, I use my Sunday mornings for Bloody Marys, then compensate with Caprese Chicken Pasta on Monday nights, while wearing yoga pants, and I’m OK with that.
Pasta and self-acceptance: the makings for a long, happy life.
Caprese chicken pasta is fast and easy to prepare, (just like Chicken Parmesan Pasta), made with simple, wholesome ingredients, and everything I could ask for in a weeknight dinner. It comes together quickly, tastes wonderful reheated for lunch the next day, and is healthy enough to atone for any weekend excesses of the Bloody Mary variety.
Why I Love This Creamy Chicken Caprese Pasta
The inspiration for this chicken mozzarella pasta originated from the grand empress of summer dishes herself, Caprese salad (also inspired this Caprese Sandwich). Bright tomatoes, fragrant basil, and gooey mozzarella cheese unite to form a trifecta of sunny summer flavor. The tomatoes are cooked in olive oil until they burst into an instant “sauce,” which when combined with the melting chunks of mozzarella and a splash of tangy balsamic vinegar, tastes like an escape to the Italian countryside.
To make the Caprese pasta filling and hearty, I added sautéed bites of Just BARE® Organic Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Fillets. I love the fact that the chicken is USDA-certified organic; every fillet is neatly trimmed, comes from the Midwest, and is a quick, convenient way to transform a dish as simple as this Caprese pasta into a satisfying, protein-packed dinner.
If you are interested, you can read more about the Just BARE organic line here, including information about how Just BARE chickens are raised and the importance of your satisfaction with each product. As my third helping of this Caprese chicken pasta would testify, I am very, very satisfied.
No matter your Sunday style, it’s elating to know that in less than 30 minutes, you can end any day with a simple, scrumptious plate of Caprese chicken pasta.
Yoga pants welcome, actual yoga optional.
How to Store, Reheat, and Freeze
- To Store. Place leftover pasta in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To Reheat. Gently rewarm pasta in a skillet over medium-low heat until hot. You can also reheat this dish in the microwave.
- To Freeze. Store leftovers in an airtight freezer-safe storage container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
More Scrumptious Caprese-Inspired Recipes
- Caprese Pasta Salad
- Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken Caprese
- Burrata Pizza
- Grilled Pesto Chicken Skewers
Caprese Chicken Pasta
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Ingredients
- 8 ounces whole grain pasta any shape you like (I used rotini)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil divided, plus additional for the pasta
- 1 ¼ pounds Just BARE Organic Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Fillets cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt divided, plus additional for cooking the pasta
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper divided
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes, halved if large
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 cups roughly chopped fresh spinach
- ¼ cup tightly packed fresh basil leaves sliced into thin strips
- 4 ounces mozzarella cheese cut into cubes
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking liquid, then drain the pasta. Toss the pasta with a bit of olive oil to prevent sticking and set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over high in a large, deep skillet. Add the chicken, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Cook until the chicken is no longer pink in the center, about 3 minutes per side. Remove to a plate, then carefully wipe the pan with a paper towel, being careful not to burn your fingers.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the tomatoes, garlic, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Let cook 1 minute, then reduce the heat to low and cook for 5 to 7 minutes more, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to soften and wrinkle. Add the balsamic vinegar and cook 30 seconds.
- To the skillet, add the drained pasta, reserved chicken, and spinach and let cook just until the spinach begins to wilt. If the pasta seems too dry, add a bit of the reserved pasta water. Remove from heat and stir in the basil and mozzarella. Serve immediately.
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This creamy, cheese-y goodness is making its way to next week’s menu. There’s nothing better than a one pot meal during the busy work week.
Sounds amazing!! I will have to make this next week!
Thanks Nadia! I hope you love it as much as we did.
I love the simplicity of this meal! Gorgeous pics, my friend!!
I’m more of the lounging in yoga-pants Sunday-er as well, so this recipe looks juuuust fantastic for my lazy self — not to mention INCREDIBLY delish! Thanks for another fantastic, quick dinner idea, Erin!
Yum, I love that you used chicken in here. What a perfect summer salad and I’m loving the addition of protein (not to mention how easy it is!)
How did you know!? LOL. It’s my absolute favorite!!! Warm or cold, it’s so good!!!
This is a great complete meal! And so simple too.
Erin, love your first line!!! hahhaa. . “I’m one of those ultra-organized super women who uses her Sunday mornings to fold the laundry, prep an entire week’s worth of meals, and do sunrise yoga.” These women are not real and do not exist!! :P I’m happy in my yoga pants and gimme the chocolate and wine. :P LOVE this caprese chicken pasta!!! making this!!! and will check out that chicken!
Caprese anything is one of my very favorite parts about summer! This looks fantastic!
haha I definitely wear yoga pants more often than I should … and don’t do actual yoga nearly enough!
I want the whole pan. Let’s hang out in yoga pants and eat this together.
This sounds absolutely delicious. I will probably try to figure out how to do it in my electric skillet for when that’s my kitchen (I love it when I can do a whole meal in my electric skillet).
I am so hungry after see those pictures. I think its too tasty to eating than looking those pictures. I will take this taste very soon.
Caprese is the best! Love the melty mozz on this pasta :)
Your intros are always ridiculously on point. You find this way to not take things too seriously while being witty and real at the same time. I loves it. And I loves this pasta.
I made caprese chicken last week – yours looks BEAUTIFUL.
Skip the noodles and toss in some zucchini zoodles when you toss in the spinach instead! Great lower carb dinner! Or serve in a half a spaghetti squash. That way, you don’t feel *as*guilty skipping the yoga.
Great suggestion Aimee! Plus I have so much zucchini right now, so it would be a lovely ingredient to incorporate, thanks!
Tried this tonight, with slight modification. Starting with the fact that I had to use dried basil because my fresh went bad. I also put in a whole 5 oz. bag of spinach and chose (at least for this time) to double the cheese. It is a very tasty dish. Thank you for sharing it.
YAY! I’m so happy to hear this Susan. Thanks for trying it and letting me know how it turned out. And double the cheese is never a bad idea ;-)
Absolutely delicious! I actually used leftover chicken fajita with lots of peppers & onions… turned out great! Thank you :)
I’m so happy to hear that Charlene! Thanks so much for taking time to leave your comment. It really means a lot!
I just made this caprese chicken pasta using tri- colour vegetable pasta and it was so delicious. Fragrant, healthy and so easy to to make. This recipe is a keeper for guests. I am wondering if you have any idea the caloric value? Worth every scrumptious bite but I would like to add it to my fitness pal. Thanks again for sharing!
Great question! Regarding nutritional info, this is something that I’ve actually started adding to all of my new recipes, effective January 2016 (you’ll see it in the recipe box at the bottom). Unfortunately, it’s pretty time consuming, so I’m unable to go back and add it to past recipes. If you’d like the nutritional info for any of my older recipes (or really any other recipe or food), you can actually calculate it yourself for free at myfitnesspal.com (this is how I calculate the new recipes on my blog). I’m sorry I can’t give you the information for the exact recipe you requested, but I hope that My Fitness Pal will be a helpful resource for you.
Does this recipe work without the vinegar?
Hayley, I definitely think that the recipe is best and most balanced WITH the vinegar, though it will still taste good without!
New to your site, just discovered you on Instagram yesterday :) I saw the picture of the Caprese Chicken and bought all the ingredients today …. I just finished making it & had to come sit down and write to you! It’s delicious!!! I love the choice of balsamic vinegar in this recipe..and the fresh basil! A fantastic recipe Erin! Looking forward to all your future posts/recipes. :)
Gina, WELCOME! I am so excited to have you here and that you loved this recipe. Thanks so much for trying it and letting me know.
This is great! Tastes like summer on a plate!
Yay! I’m glad you enjoyed it, Elizabeth.
How much does a serving weight?
Hi Emilio! Unfortunately, I don’t have the approximate weight per serving for this recipe. If you’re interested in the nutrition facts for the dish, you could use an online tool like MyFitnessPal to calculate them. I hope this helps!
This recipe was delicious! It was so easy to prepare, and it was so flavorful and fresh. I used Banza chickpea pasta and it came out perfectly. I will absolutely be making this again!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Dana! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
I omited the garlic as we have a love/hate relationship. We loved the flavor the tomato’s gave from wrinkling mixed with balsamic vinegar. Definitely a keeper recipie.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Alexa! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Love this. Made it with Chick Pea Rotini Pasta. Yum Yum Yum.
That sounds tasty! Thanks Suzanne!