Chicken Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad is the perfect and quick pasta salad for your summer cookout with chicken, fresh mozzarella, tortellini and quick balsamic dressing.
Chicken Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad is a dish you’d find in the deli section of your favorite fancy grocery store (or lets be honest, on Ina’s cooking shows where she heads to her favorite Hampton’s food boutique) but it is actually totally easy to make. I’ve even included a few ingredient swaps for you to use if you’re pressed for time.
Chicken Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad ingredient swaps:
- I included my basic balsamic vinaigrette recipe but you can of course use bottled.
- I call for cooking chicken, but you can use rotisserie or canned. The directions for cooking the chicken will ensure the delicious crispy crust on the chicken.
- If you don’t have fresh basil, you can use 2 tablespoons of dried basil.
- If you don’t want to use tortellini, you can easily swap for rotini or bowtie pasta as well.
- The balsamic glaze is a great finishing item and adds a lot of flavor to the dish but in a pinch you can skip it or make your own balsamic glaze if you can’t source one in your grocery store.
How to make Balsamic Glaze:
- Add 2 cups balsamic vinegar and ½ cup brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir with a wooden spoon or whisk until sugar has dissolved then bring to a boil.
- Cook on low until the mixture is reduced to half the amount, about 15-20 minutes.
- To check if it is done, dip a spoon into the pan, then run your finger over the spoon, you should leave a clean swipe in the spoon.
- Let cool before using, then drizzle onto the pasta salad with a spoon.
Looking for more pasta salad recipes?
- Italian Antipasto Pasta Salad
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad
- Easy Greek Pasta Salad
- Mexican Avocado BLT Pasta Salad
- 10 Minute Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Items Used in this Chicken Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad:
Balsamic Glaze: This is my favorite brand, it has just the right sweetness to it.
Balsamic Vinegar: High quality for the best price I’ve found, I keep two backup bottles in my cupboard.
Tortellini: An easy pasta that adds bulk and you don’t need to keep fresh cheese on hand to add flavor! Or if you’re buying fresh, this is my favorite fresh variety.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces cheese tortellini
- 1/4 cup fresh basil finely chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 chicken breasts boneless and skinless
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- 16 ounces grape tomatoes cut in half
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella ciliegine balls
- 1/4 cup balsamic glaze
BALSAMIC DRESSING
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cracked black pepper
- 3/4 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Make the dressing by adding all the ingredients to the jar and shake to combine.
- Cook the tortellini as instructed on the packaging and let cool.
- In a large skillet heat the canola oil on medium high heat.
- Butterfly the chicken open and season the chicken with salt and pepper.
- Cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, do not move at all before the single flip to allow for a good crust to form.
- Remove from pan, let cool and chop.
- In a large bowl add the cooled tortellini, chicken, salt, pepper, basil, oregano and grape tomatoes.
- Top with the balsamic dressing.
- Toss together.
- Add the mozzarella to the bowl and drizzle with balsamic glaze.
- Serve at room temperature.
Nutrition
I made this tonight using fresh, refrigerated tortellini, andstore bought balsamic glaze. I cut the chicken into small chunks, coated them with salt, pepper, dried oregano, onion and garlic powders. I then browned them in hot olive oil. I used fresh basil. The entire meal was ready to eat (warm) in under 20 minutes. Super easy and delicious.
Anyone on here actually make this? All reviews say looks rather than tried!!
I made this and it turned out amazing. I used the chicken and cheese tortellini instead of the chicken breast and added some fresh spinach. It got rave reviews from friends.
Thanks for the suggestion, Tanya.
Chicken Caprese Tortellini Pasta Salad.It is such an easy recipe and so delicious I really must try this recipe made it look so easy!Regardless, the recipe was awesome! Thanks so much!
Yummy looking!! How many people does this serve?
This recipe yields 12 servings. Enjoy!!
Okay thiiiiis looks amaze. Love the twist on a classic pasta salad- so fun!
Thanks Karly!
This sounds amazing! Best flavor combo ever!
Great minds think alike 😉 Thanks Krista!
This was really done well. I would definitely be trying this out.
Tortellini is my favorite! Thanks for this recipe, your pictures are great so I can only imagine how good this is!
Thank you so much!
Tortellini is one of my favorite grocery store convenience foods. This salad looks delicious!
Thank you! I love how easy it is for sure!
Perfect ingredients for the season ! Thank you so much !
I loooove all these flavors, such a delicious-sounding dish!
Thanks Kimberly!
Caprese…tortellini…I’m all over this one! I can’t wait to try this pasta salad! It looks so amazing!
I LOVE tortellini in a pasta salad. It adds so much. That dressing also sounds amazing!
Thanks Dorothy!
This looks absolutely incredible!