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.
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.
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.
Mix in the chicken and simmer for about five minutes, until chicken is heated.
Add in the cooked pasta and mozzarella cheese and toss to combine.
Season with salt and cracked black pepper, to taste.
In less than thirty minutes, the whole dish comes together and is ready to be served.
What is your favorite weeknight dinner?
- 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.
- 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.
- Mix in the chicken and simmer for about five minutes, until chicken is heated.
- Add in the cooked pasta and mozzarella cheese and toss to combine.
- Season with salt and cracked black pepper, to taste.
