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The 35 Most Popular Easy Summer Recipes.
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This easy Caprese Chicken Pasta Salad with honey balsamic dressing is my go-to summer pasta salad. It’s almost no-cook and comes together quickly, and with very little effort. Grilled balsamic herb chicken tossed with balsamic dressing, pasta, marinated mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and creamy avocado. It’s colorful and so delicious. Enjoy this for dinner and save the leftovers for lunch. Or serve it up at your next summer party. It’s always good.
Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always loved a summertime pasta salad. My dad would often make his super simple pasta salad on busy nights. It used to be one of my favorite dinners.
I’ve mentioned this before, but my dad’s pasta salad was the simplest. I believe it was literally just pasta, broccoli, bell peppers, and cubes of cheddar cheese tossed with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. He probably threw in a lot of fresh basil too.
Simple, I know, but still so good…or at least that’s how I remember it. Anyway, my point is, summertime is pasta salad season. The more recipes you have in your back pocket, the better.
Since the 4th of July is upon us, I figured that now is the perfect time to share one of my go-to summer pasta salads. I make this any chance I get. It’s simple, just like my dad’s, but done up with a little more color, flavor, and dressing.
Plus, I always have these ingredients on hand, so it’s really a staple kind of recipe over here. I make it for every summer gathering. It’s always one of the first dishes to disappear.
This pasta salad is easy, let’s start with the dressing
The honey balsamic dressing really is the key to this salad. It adds all the flavor.
It’s a simple mix-up of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, shallots, garlic, fresh oregano, and fresh basil. I love to mix balsamic and honey for a tangy-sweet dressing and then add herbs for additional flavor.
It’s so delicious and one of my go-to salad dressings all year long.
This makes a lot of dressing, which is what you need for this salad. Again the dressing is KEY.
Next, toss the chicken with a bit of the dressing. If time allows, let the chicken marinate for even more flavor, then just grill it up.
I love to use chicken tenders or strips instead of breasts. The dressing is able to coat more of the chicken then, adding even more flavor.
For the salad…
You need your favorite short-cut pasta, fresh mozzarella balls, and lots of cherry tomatoes. Oh, and avocado too.
For the mozzarella, use marinated mozzarella if you can find it. Trust me, it’s delish and yup, adds even more flavor.
When the chicken is done grilling, and the pasta is cooked, just toss everything up with dressing. And that’s it. Simple. Simple. But so delicious!
This is a great recipe for prepping ahead of time for parties or even work lunches. The pasta holds up really well in the fridge and would be great to make on a Sunday for the week ahead. It even takes on more flavor as the salad sits! Just be sure to add the avocado the day of so that it doesn’t get brown.
What I love most about this pasta recipe is that it really does use some of summer’s best ingredients. So if you have a surplus of fresh cherry tomatoes and basil lying around, this is the recipe to make.
Looking for other great pasta salad recipes? Here are some favorites:
Pesto Chicken, Corn, and Avocado Bacon Pasta Salad
Corn, Tomato, and Avocado Pasta Salad
Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken Avocado Orzo Salad with Honey Mustard Bacon Dressing
Lastly, if you make this Caprese Chicken Pasta Salad, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Caprese Chicken Pasta Salad
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 644 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
Balsamic Dressing
- 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 shallot, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes
Salad
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken tenders
- 1 pound short cut pasta
- 2 cups mozzarella balls (use marinated, if you can find)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, torn
- 1 avocado, diced
Instructions
- 1. To make the dressing. Combine all ingredients in a glass jar and whisk until smooth. Taste and adjust the salt and pepper.2. In a bowl, toss the chicken with 1/3 of the dressing. Let sit 10 minutes or marinate up to overnight. Set your grill, grill pan, or skillet to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken until lightly charred and cooked through, turning halfway through cooking, about 8-10 minutes. 3. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil the pasta to al dente, according to package directions. Drain. Add the pasta, chicken, mozzarella, tomatoes, and avocado to a large salad bowl. Pour over the remaining dressing and toss well to combine. Serve warm or cold. The salad will develop more flavor as it sits.
This looks delicious! Any ideas of what to serve with this if serving for casual dinner guests?
Ali,
Honestly, a big side of crusty bread would be great! Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love the recipe! xx
Hi! do you drain the marinated mozerella balls before adding or add the oil they’re in as well? thanks!
Hey Jane,
You can drain the mozzarella balls:) Let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love the recipe!! xx
Our family LOVES this recipe!! It quickly became a summer staple & we’re excited to have it again now that the ingredients are fresh & in season!!
Hi Grace,
Wonderful!! Thank you so much for making the recipe, I am so glad to hear that it was enjoyed!! Have the best week:) xxT
I come back to this recipe time and again. I usually double it because we will eat it all week for lunches! And I always double/quadruple the dressing/marinade. It is 100% the ticket to flavor town.
Hey Gail,
Happy Wednesday!! I so appreciate you giving this recipe a try and love to hear that it was enjoyed! Thanks for your feedback:) xT
Absolutely loved this recipe! Quick and easy to make and was even better the next day, I added two cups of sweet corn and it was so good!
I make one of your recipes at least once per week these days thank you for providing so many fun and yummy recipes to try!
Hey there! Thanks so much for trying out this recipe, I hope you loved it! Happy Weekend 🙂 xTieghan
I don’t have a grill. Is it possible to cook the chicken on the stove or bake it in the oven? Which do you think would work best with the sweet marinade? Excited to try!
Hi Liz,
You can definitely just bake the chicken in the oven. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you give it a try! xTieghan
This recipe was so delicious and super simple to make! The fresh herbs take it to a whole other level too. My family loved it!
Hey Rachelle,
Happy Monday! I love to hear that this recipe was a winner, thanks a lot for giving it a try! xTieghan
I used Banza chick pea pasta with this recipe and it was amazing! Per my whole family it’s five out of five stars ?! The dressing is wonderful!
Hey Susan,
Happy Wednesday! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe, I am so glad to hear it was a winner:) xTieghan
I rarely leave reviews, but I needed to after making this pasta salad.
It was delicious!!! I wanted to make something light during these hot summer days and this recipe looked so simple, I decided to try it. It was good the first night, but it was amazing the next night!! My husband even asked if I could start making this pasta salad for his lunches since it’s really good cold too. I want to make this again very soon and even want to make this for gatherings too as a side dish without the chicken.
Hey Nina,
Happy Sunday! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am so glad that it was enjoyed!! ☀️xTieghan
So yum! Was a hit with the fam. Added chopped red capsicum to fill it out.
Hey Danelle,
Happy Wednesday! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am thrilled that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
I absolutely love this recipe! I love the mix of flavors. Thank you for sharing!! I am so happy I found your website!! Unlimited recipes to try.
Hey Melissa,
Happy Wednesday! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I am thrilled that it was enjoyed! xTieghan
This was amazing! Easy and quick to put together and perfect for a summer evening meal. I didn’t have shallots so used a green onion in addition to the garlic specified in the recipe. Would be great to make ahead and serve for a gathering. Can’t wait to try the leftovers!
Hey Chris,
Thank you so much for giving this recipe a try, love to hear that it was enjoyed! Have the best week:) xTieghan
Just made this for the second time for a family pool day tomorrow. Made a triple recipe. Excellent salad. I couldn’t find marinated mozzarella, so instead I made extra dressing and marinated the mozzarella in it while I did everything else. It’s develops the most flavor after sitting overnight. Will be a hit again tomorrow for sure!
Hey Alex,
Happy Sunday! I am so glad this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! xxTieghan
Delicious! Followed the recipe exactly and it was so flavorful and easy.
Hey Darlene,
Happy Friday! Thanks a bunch for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was enjoyed. Have a great weekend☀️ xTieghan
Easy, delicious, and pretty! Perfect summer dinner recipe. Love every half baked harvest recipe I’ve tried so far, this one is definitely another success story!
Hey Tasha,
Awesome! Thanks a lot for giving this recipe a try, I am so delighted that it was enjoyed!! xTieghan
I am going to try this recipe. Looks delicious and easy to make. Do you have any recipes with Risottos, especially mixed with veggies? Thanks
Hey Vivian,
Thanks! I hope you love this recipe, here are some risotto recipes you might enjoy:
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/no-stir-brie-risotto/
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/brown-butter-lobster-sweet-corn-and-fontina-risotto/
Please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
This was fantastic!!! Very flavorful, the perfect flavors of summer!
Hey Amy,
Happy Wednesday! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for making it! xTieghan