This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This Caprese Chicken Pasta is a one pot pasta recipe that’s perfect for when you need a family-friendly dinner fast! Everything you love about a caprese salad turned into a chicken pasta dinner!
If you love hearty pasta recipes, try this creamy sun dried tomato chicken pasta or this green chile mac and cheese!
This post and recipe have been updated since it was originally published on 4/17/2017
Why You’ll Love Caprese Chicken Pasta
One pot pasta – If you’ve never made a one pot pasta recipe, you’re missing out. They are so easy! Less pans to keep an eye on while they’re cooking and less dishes to wash.
Caprese inspired recipe – If you love Caprese salad you’ll love this pasta! Fresh tomatoes, basil, gooey mozzarella cheese, and balsamic glaze to top it off.
Healthy pasta recipe – This is a pasta recipe I would label as lighter and healthier. There’s no heavy cream, there’s plenty of protein, and just enough cheese to give you that cheesy pasta flavor without being over the top.
Ingredients for Caprese Pasta
- Chicken breasts – Boneless skinless chicken thighs can also be used.
- Yellow onion and garlic – The aromatics.
- Italian seasoning – A blend of Italian herbs such as oregano, basil, marjoram, thyme, and rosemary.
- Chicken broth – Use low sodium chicken broth. Vegetable broth also works.
- Pasta – I used cavatappi, but other short pasta shapes such as fusilli, penne, or orecchiette all work well.
- Cherry tomatoes – Cherry tomatoes are sweet and just the right size for this recipe. Add them in whole or halve them if you prefer.
- Fresh basil – A must for Caprese. It brightens up the flavor.
- Mozzarella balls – Fresh mozzarella is a staple for Caprese. I use the mini size that are sometimes labeled as “pearls” You can use a larger size and halve or quarter them.
- Balsamic glaze – It’s sweet with a little bit of tartness. Store bought balsamic glaze or an aged balsamic vinegar both work.
How to Make Caprese Pasta with Chicken
This is an overview of the recipe with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
Heat some olive oil in a large deep skillet. When the oil is hot add in the pieces of chicken and spread them into a single layer. Season with salt, pepper and Italian season.
When the chicken is nearly cooked through, add in the cherry tomatoes and cook for another minute until they soften and the skin starts to wrinkle. Remove the chicken and tomatoes from the skillet and onto a plate.
Add in the onion and garlic and sauté for a couple minutes before pouring in the chicken broth. Bring the broth to a boil and then add in the pasta. Stir the pasta then reduce the heat to medium or medium-low so it’s simmering.
Stir the pasta occasionally until most of the liquid is absorbed and the pasta is tender.
Add the chicken, tomatoes, and basil back in with the pasta and stir everything together. Sprinkle the mozzarella balls on top then cover with a lid and cook on low for another minute or until the cheese is melted.
Drizzle with balsamic glaze and garnish with extra basil before serving.
Substitutions and Variations
- Use boneless skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts.
- Mini fresh mozzarella balls can be replaced with slices of fresh mozzarella or shredded mozzarella cheese from the block.
Storage, Reheating, and Freezing
Storage – The Caprese pasta will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating – You can reheat the pasta in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warm. Add a splash of chicken broth if it seems dry.
Freezing – To freeze the pasta, let it cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Let it defrost in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. Be aware that when pasta is frozen and defrosts, it’s usually softer and sometimes mushy. If that texture bother’s you, then I don’t recommend freezing it.
More Caprese-Inspired Recipes
Did you make this one pot Caprese chicken pasta? I’d love if you’d leave a recipe rating and review.
One Pot Caprese Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic, grated or minced
- 2 3/4 cups low sodium chicken broth, + 1/4 cup extra if needed
- 10 ounces uncooked pasta, I used cavatappi
- 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 1/2 cup mini fresh mozzarella balls
- balsamic glaze optional
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a deep 12 inch skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot add in the pieces of chicken and spread them into a single layer. Season with the Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
- Let the chicken cook for 2-3 minutes before flipping it. Continue to cook the chicken until it's nearly cooked through. Add in the cherry tomatoes and cook for another minute or until the tomatoes have softened and the skin start to wrinkle. Pour the chicken and tomatoes onto a plate.
- Add the onion and garlic into the skillet and season with a little salt and pepper. Sauté for a minute. Pour in the chicken broth and scrape all the bits off the bottom of the pan. Bring the broth to a boil, then pour in the pasta and stir.
- Lower the heat to medium or medium-low, so it's simmering. Stir occasionally, cooking the pasta until it's tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Add the chicken, tomatoes and basil back in with the pasta and stir everything together. Taste for seasoning. Top with the mozzarella balls and cover with a lid or piece of foil. Cook for another minute or until the cheese is melted.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze and garnish with extra basil before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This was delicious! I deglazed the pan with some cooking wine before adding the chicken broth and noodles. I might add spinach next time to get more veggies in.
Glad you liked it Dawn!
I have precooked chicken breast. Could I just skip the first 3 steps?
Yes. Pre-cooked chicken works great, start at step 4 on the directions.
Do you add the water when you add the pasta?
This came out excellent. The only thing I didn’t see on the directions was when to re add the chicken so I just guessed to do it before adding tomatoes.. also used a little more balsamic for flavor and sour cream instead of yogurt. Great recipe! Thank you!
Did you ever get an answer about when to te-add chicken to dish? I was wondering the same thing.
Hi Ladies,
I apologize for leaving that part out in the directions. The chicken gets added back into the pasta in step #9.
How much chicken is in 1 package of Just BARE Organic Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast? (1 lb?? 2 lbs???)
Hi Tina,
One package is equivalent to 1 pound.
Ha, you had me at one pot! Every time I see recipes like these I tell myself I’m going to start cooking like that – little effort, little clean-up right?! Have yet to master my one-pot cooking skills.
We’re a huge fan of anything caprese, so I’m going to have to give this one a try! Pinned!