Caprese Chicken Pasta {Quick & Easy Dinner Idea}

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We are mid-week; The time I frequently realize my meal plan needs an adjustment. I often need to change out a meal for a quick and easy dinner to get on the table because what I had planned didn’t get prepped in time or our schedules changed. This Caprese Chicken Pasta is just that: a quick and easy dinner that is ready to serve in under thirty minutes.

Caprese Chicken Pasta {Quick & Easy Dinner Idea}

A few weeks ago, I shared a recipe for Stuffed Shells with Ground Beef and Cheese (another easy pasta dish). I ran into that recipe on Pasta Matchmakers. I decided to try the Pasta Matchmaker quiz out again and the Caprese Chicken Penne was given to me. It was such a successful weeknight dinner that I had to share it with you.

*PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER*

Caprese Chicken Pasta Recipe

*printable recipe at the bottom of the article

Ingredients:

  • 1 box penne pasta (16oz)
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon fresh chopped garlic (or minced if that’s on hand)
  • 1 14.5oz can diced tomatoes (undrained)
  • ⅓ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • 12oz cooked chopped chicken (thawed frozen chicken works great)
  • 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Salt and cracked black pepper to taste

In a large pot, cook pasta as directed on packaging. Drain well.

Caprese Chicken Pasta {Quick & Easy Dinner Idea}

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add in the garlic and cook for about a minute.

Add the whole can of tomatoes and basil into the skillet and cook for two minutes.

Caprese Chicken Pasta {Quick & Easy Dinner Idea}

Mix in the chicken and simmer for about five minutes, until chicken is heated.

Caprese Chicken Pasta {Quick & Easy Dinner Idea}

Add in the cooked pasta and mozzarella cheese and toss to combine.

Caprese Chicken Pasta {Quick & Easy Dinner Idea}

Season with salt and cracked black pepper, to taste.

Caprese Chicken Pasta {Quick & Easy Dinner Idea}

In less than thirty minutes, the whole dish comes together and is ready to be served.

What is your favorite weeknight dinner? 

Caprese Chicken Pasta {Quick & Easy Dinner Idea}

4.5 from 2 reviews
Caprese Chicken Pasta
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
This chicken pasta is a quick and easy weeknight dish that combines the amazing flavors of a caprese salad.
Serves: 4
Ingredients
  • 1 box penne pasta (16oz)
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon fresh chopped garlic (or minced if that's on hand)
  • 1 14.5oz can diced tomatoes (undrained)
  • ⅓ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • 12oz cooked chopped chicken (thawed frozen chicken works great)
  • 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Salt and cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. In a large pot, cook pasta as directed on packaging. Drain well.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add in the garlic and cook for about a minute.
  3. Add the whole can of tomatoes and basil into the skillet and cook for two minutes.
  4. Mix in the chicken and simmer for about five minutes, until chicken is heated.
  5. Add in the cooked pasta and mozzarella cheese and toss to combine.
  6. Season with salt and cracked black pepper, to taste.

Caprese Chicken Pasta {Quick & Easy Dinner Idea}

*PIN THIS RECIPE FOR LATER*

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15 comments on Caprese Chicken Pasta {Quick & Easy Dinner Idea}

  • Jackie

    This looks delicious and easy to make. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

  • Jennifer Burton

    Thank you so much for posting this recipe, I made it tonight, so easy, yet SO flavorful! I used 2 cans of stewed tomatoes because that’s what I had on hand. The best part is that it didn’t have to simmer for hours to make it flavorful, just like the recipe states, just a few minutes to heat the chicken and its good to go. The basil really made the meal. Thank you!!

    • Samantha (author)

      Glad you enjoyed it!

  • Danielle Brandt

    How does everyone cook the chicken before making the rest of the dish? Making this tonight and just noticed “cooked chicken” thanks!

    • Samantha (author)

      I keep frozen cooked chicken for quick meals like this. When preparing it, I simply thaw it for a few minutes in the microwave before adding it into the pan. Another option is when the pasta is cooking, you can cook diced chicken in a seperate pan, which shouldn’t take that long. How you enjoy the meal!

      • Danielle Brandt

        It was delicious! Thank you!

  • Aria

    For some reason my cheese was supper sticky. To me, it had little to no flavor

    • Chris

      I agree. Maybe I’m doing something wrong but the dish has very little flavor. It is quick and easy, I’ll give it that.

  • katie

    This was amazing!! It is so easy to make and tastes absolutely delicious. Thank you so much!!

  • Denise De Leon

    I made it for my two children and I. It was delicious, quick, and very easy. I used rotisserie chicken cooked in thyme and garlic from the grocery store since I didn’t have time. Also used Mexican cheese to add more cheesey flavor that my kids love so much. Excellent!

    • Samantha (author)

      Great idea! Glad you enjoyed it!

  • Anjilla

    This is a quick and flavorful dish. I didn’t have any thawed chicken so I made it without and I also used dried basil, because I did not have any fresh basil on hand, which worked perfectly. Both my kids loved it! It was delish!

  • EasyRoasted5

    I think it is my all-new favourite.Caprese Chicken Pasta recipe was simple and delicious!My taste buds love this.Life changer!
    How nice easy and tasty This Caprese Chicken Pasta was too yummy?

  • Dorinda

    To add a little flavor, I made a super easy balsamic/honey reduction to drizzle over each serving.

    • Samantha (author)

      Great idea! I will be trying that next time!

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