Description
Caprese Chicken Pasta is a fresh, flavorful, and easy-to-make Italian-inspired dish starring tender chicken breast, juicy cherry tomatoes, creamy fresh mozzarella, fragrant basil, and perfectly cooked pasta. Ready in under 30 minutes, this one-pot meal combines protein, veggies, and carbs for a balanced, comforting dinner ideal for families or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Vegetables & Herbs
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Dairy
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella, diced or torn
Pantry
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 oz dry pasta (penne, fusilli, or farfalle)
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Balsamic glaze (optional, for drizzling)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and let rest.
- Cook the Pasta: Boil pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving some pasta water.
- Sauté Garlic and Tomatoes: In the same skillet, add a little more olive oil and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Add halved cherry tomatoes and cook until softened and juices release, forming a light sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Return pasta to the skillet with tomatoes and garlic. Stir to coat evenly, adding reserved pasta water as needed for desired sauce consistency.
- Finish with Mozzarella and Basil: Fold in diced fresh mozzarella so it slightly melts. Sprinkle chopped basil over the pasta and slice the rested chicken breast, arranging on top. Optionally drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.
Notes
- Use room temperature mozzarella for better melting and flavor integration.
- Do not overcook chicken to ensure juicy, tender meat.
- Reserve pasta water to loosen sauce without diluting flavor.
- Add fresh basil at the end to preserve aroma and color.
- Balsamic glaze adds a perfect sweet and tangy finish to the dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1/4 recipe)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg