Easy Chicken Caprese Pasta Salad

Chicken Caprese Pasta Salad is one of my favorite cold pasta salad dishes! Grilled chicken and colorful vegetables are tossed with pasta to create a tasty dish perfect for any occasion.

I am all about the EASY summer recipes. This chicken pasta salad falls smack dab into that category and is one of our go-to dinner ideas.

It is packed with grilled chicken and tomatoes and reminds me so much of a simple caprese. Best of all? My nine year old approves. Even when we add extra vegetables!

Recipe Features:

• Make-Ahead: This make ahead caprese pasta salad can be made up to four days in advance! If you leave the chicken out you can make it last five to seven days!
• Easy to Customize: Add your favorite vegetables or cheeses!

What You Need:

Tyson’s Grilled and Ready chicken helped make prep for this caprese pasta salad even easier. However, we make our own grilled chicken in large batches and it tastes just as delicious! You can go either way – Pre made chicken or homemade.

• Salad Supreme seasoning
• Italian dressing
• Tomatoes
• Mozzarella
• Grilled Chicken
• Basil
• Pasta

The goal was for a caprese style pasta.  I cubed some fresh mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, chopped fresh basil and tossed that with the chicken and rotini pasta. The simplicity of ingredients still makes for a flavor packed meal the entire family will love.

What can you put into a pasta salad?

One of the reasons I really love this recipe is that it is so versatile. You can add or take out any ingredient and will still have an amazing pasta recipe. We plan on trying a caprese pasta salad with tortellini Here are a few ideas of what you could add to the dish:

• broccoli
• cucumber
• zucchini
• peppers
• red onion
• bell pepper
• olives

What kind of dressing should you use on a pasta salad?

For this caprese style pasta salad I recommend sticking with an Italian style dressing. You can pick your favorite and measure out 1 cup. Whisk in some salad seasoning and drizzle over your prepared ingredients.

Another tip is to keep a little extra dressing on hand. The flavors of all of the ingredients need time to blend together. The pasta could soak up some of the dressing so don’t be worried about adding another 1/2 a cup or so.

Step by Step Instructions:

1. Combine the salad seasoning and dressing in a measuring cup. Whisk to combine.
2. In a large bowl, toss together the tomatoes, mozzarella, chicken, and pasta. Drizzle the dressing over the top and mix to combine. Sprinkle with chopped basil if using. 
3. Refrigerate 4 hours or up to overnight. Add additional dressing if needed.

Related Recipes:

Like this recipe? You will love my:

• Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
• Tomato Feta Pasta Salad
• Fresh Tomato Pasta

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