Caprese Balsamic Pasta Salad with Chicken (Easy + Fresh)

A large serving bowl of balsamic chicken pasta salad.

5 from 2 votes

Caprese Balsamic Pasta Salad with Chicken (Easy + Fresh)

This Caprese pasta salad with chicken is a fresh, flavorful summer dish made with juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and a homemade balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

Prep Time15

Cook Time10

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian-inspired

Servings:

Calories: 538kcal

Author: Olivia & Annie

Ingredients

For the pasta salad:

10 ounces pasta noodles (we prefer penne or bowtie)
3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
1 cup basil leaves, thinly sliced
10 ounce container of cherry tomatoes, halved
¾ cup mini pearl mozzarella balls

For the dressing:

¼ cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or honey
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
1 teaspoon minced garlic or small garlic clove
¼ teaspoon salt + more to taste
⅛ teaspoon black pepper
⅓ cup olive oil or avocado oil

Instructions

Place a large pot of water on the stove over medium high heat and generously salt the water. Cook the pasta al dente according to package directions. Once the pasta is cooked, drain the water and rinse the pasta in cold water to stop the cooking process.
Next, prep the dressing. Add the balsamic vinegar, maple syrup, dijon, garlic, salt, and pepper to a blender or food processor. Blend for 5-10 seconds until smooth. Next, slowly add the oil in a small stream as you blend the mixture on low. The dressing should be smooth and creamy when fully mixed.
Add the pasta, shredded chicken, tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella to a large bowl. Add the desired amount of dressing and toss until evenly coated.

Notes

Save time:
- While we highly recommend the homemade balsamic dressing, you can save time by purchasing your favorite creamy balsamic dressing at the store.
Prep ahead:
- You can prep the dressing ahead of time and store in the fridge until ready to use.
- You can prepare the pasta salad ahead of time and store in the fridge. When ready to use, simply toss with the dressing and serve.
This recipe can be gluten free with the use of gluten free pasta. It can be dairy free with the omission of mozzarella cheese. It can be vegetarian with the omission of the chicken. For a vegan version, leave out the chicken and the cheese and use maple syrup in the dressing.
The recipe can be found on My Fitness Pal by searching "BWB Caprese Pasta Salad." The nutrition content provided for each recipe is an estimate created through the My Fitness Pal database. Please be aware that the nutritional content of each recipe may vary based on the products you use, the precision of your measurements, and the source you use to obtain nutrition data. While we try to provide accurate information, we give no guarantee regarding the accuracy of the nutritional information provided.

Nutrition