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Well, friends…it’s June! That means that summer is definitely here, and potluck picnic season is upon us. If you’re looking for a healthy and flavorful recipe that’s perfect for a casual get-together, then you have come to the right place.
This Chicken Caprese Pasta Salad also happens to be a delicious weeknight meal. I can make it in advance and serve it when my hungry boys are ready. Since we all tend to be on slightly different schedules these days, that works out really nicely! If you have any left-over, it also keeps well in the fridge for lunch the next day.
I’ve mentioned on here before that pesto is one of my boys’ favorite foods. I can put it on anything from fish to chicken to vegetables or pasta and they’ll eat it right up. Since I always have a jar on hand, it’s fun to try to come up with different ways to use the stuff. Today’s recipe is fast and easy, but it tastes pretty special. I have combined some oven-roasted chicken, grape tomatoes (Casey’s favorite!), miniature balls of fresh mozzarella (which I found in the deli section at Walmart), and some crunchy, toasted pine nuts together with the pesto pasta. If you can boil water, you can make this meal! And if you have some fresh basil growing in your garden, feel free to use it as a garnish. A little fresh herb makes everything better!
Chicken Caprese Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 1 lb. chicken breasts cooked and chopped
- 1 10.5 ounce container grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella pearls or regular fresh mozzarella cheese cut into cubes
- 2 cups uncooked small pasta such as mini wagon wheels, mini shells, or mini penne
- ¼ cup – ½ cup basil pesto
- ¼ cup pine nuts toasted
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, gently toss together cooked chicken, tomatoes, and mozzarella.
- Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water and set aside until pasta is completely cool.
- Add cool pasta to bowl and stir to combine with chicken and other ingredients. Stir in ¼ cup pesto. Add additional pesto until all ingredients are well coated. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Just before serving, stir in pine nuts.
Looking for some more great salad recipes? Try these:
Asparagus Salad
Quinoa, Chicken, and White Bean Salad
Corn and Black Bean Salad and Dip
Blair, This just looks so yummy and fresh! Wish I was having this for dinner. I need to go grocery shopping!
Thanks so much, Elizabeth! We love it at this time of year, too!
Oh yum. I will have to try this, I love basil pesto.
Thanks for stopping by, Alicia! 🙂
I love pasta salad, and this one looks incredible! Thank you so much for linking up at Tasty Tuesday! Your recipe has been pinned to the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board! Please join us again this week!
Thanks, Stephanie!
I love pasta salads, and I love caprese anything!
This sounds so delicious. Hello from Weekly Wrap Up.
Hi Blair. Just wanted to thank you for linking up all of your wonderful posts on Merry Monday Linky Party. I don’t see a comment box on the other two posts, so I couldn’t leave a comment on those, but I’ve shared them on my social media.
This chicken caprese pasta salad has all the ingredients that my youngest dd loves to eat and I’ve pinned this to make for her. Have a super week.
Hi, Erlene! Thank you, and thanks for the party each week! I’m not sure why my comment box isn’t appearing on some of my posts…that’s so strange! I’m glad that you tracked me down, though, and I appreciate the fact that you share so many posts. Enjoy that salad!
Love how simple and delicious this looks!
I can’t say that pesto is my kids’ favorite food, but the grownups sure love it! This looks like such a great summer dinner recipe, Blair! Pinning 🙂
Hah! Thanks, Andi. I suppose my kids are a little weird in that respect! Hope you all enjoy it. 🙂
I love this idea for a backyard summer dinner idea. Thanks for sharing on the #mondayfundayparty !
Thanks for stopping by, Pauline!