High-Protein Chicken Caprese Pasta Salad Bowls is a creamy & fresh salad. It contains whole-grain rotini, baby spinach, cherry tomatoes, chicken, mozzarella pearls, and Basil Vinaigrette. This salad contains mozzarella, so it is not good for a dairy-free diet. We have to utilize the Vegan mozzarella cheese to make this salad safe for dairy-free & vegan diet. This salad is prepared in 25 minutes with 10 minutes of cooking, so we can easily make it as a quick lunch or dinner. This salad stores in the fridge for three days. High-Protein Chicken Caprese Pasta Salad Bowls is served with tomato basil soup & roasted vegetables.
STATS:
- Calories: 470
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Serving size: 2
- Cook time: 10 minutes
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
- Total time: 25 minutes
- Course: Lunch, Dinner
- Diet: High-protein
- Serving: 4
EQUIPMENT:
- Big pot
- Colander
- Big mixing vessel
- Cutting board
- Serving vessel
- Knife
INGREDIENTS:
- 8 ounces whole-grain rotini
- 1 pack baby spinach
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast
- 1 cup pearl-size mozzarella balls
- ½ cup Basil Vinaigrette
INGREDIENT NOTES:
WHOLE-GRAIN ROTINI:
- We have to use whole-grain rotini to add a hearty & slightly nutty taste to the salad. Its spiral shape will also help hold the basil vinaigrette.
CHICKEN BREAST:
- Add cooked chicken breast to provide the protein in these salad bowls. We have to chop the chicken into bite-size pieces so it mixes evenly with the pasta and vegetables.
MOZZARELLA BALLS:
- Use mini mozzarella balls to include a soft & creamy texture and a mild cheesy taste. Pearl-size mozzarella balls can also be used.
BASIL VINAIGRETTE:
- We have to use basil vinaigrette to add a fresh & herby taste. It will also coat the pasta, chicken, and vegetables and bring the flavors together.
CHERRY TOMATOES:
- Add cherry tomatoes for a juicy & slightly sweet taste. We have to cut them in half so their juices can blend with the vinaigrette.
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Add the water in the big pot and wait for it to get boil.
- Include the whole grain rotini then cook it as mention on the pack.
- Strain the pasta and cool it lightly.
- Then include the tomatoes, chicken, mozzarella balls, and spinach in the big mixing vessel.
- Include the cooked rotini and add the basil vinaigrette on the mixture then mix everything with each other to coat the items.
- Include the pasta salad in 4 serving vessel equally and serve.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS:
SOUPS:
- Tomato Basil Soup
- Minestrone Soup
- Vegetable Soup
BREADS:
- Garlic Bread
- Whole-Grain Bread
- Herb Focaccia
FRUITS:
- Fresh Berries
- Watermelon
- Grapes
DRINKS:
- Lemon Water
- Iced Green Tea
- Sparkling Water
TIPS:
- Don’t overcook the rotini as the soft pasta will get mushy when we mix the dressing.
- Cool the pasta lightly then add the mozzarella pearls & spinach.
- Properly dry the mozzarella balls if they have the additional liquid.
- Make the equal size pieces of chicken to distribute equally in the salad.
- Mix the salad softly so the shape of balls will not get ruin.
- Include the vinaigrette then serve to provide the fresh texture.
STORAGE INFORMATION:
FRIDGE:
- Add the pasta salad in the covered box and store for three days.
FREEZER:
- Don’t freeze this salad as the spinach, mozzarella, & tomatoes till lose the texture.
FAQs:
Will I add the leftover chicken in the bowls?
- Yes, we easily add the cooked and remaining chicken in the bowls easily if it stored nicely.
Could I include different variety of pasta in the salad?
- Yes, include the fusilli, farfalle, or whole wheat penne instead to make this salad.
Will I prepare the pasta in advance?
- Yes, make it in advance and store in the fridge before serving.
Can we add the fresh mozzarella cheese in it?
- Yes, we would easily include the fresh mozzarella cheese in it and make the bite size slices before the addition.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:
Calories: 470 g
Net carbs: 43 g
Serving: 1
Iron: 3 mg
Total carbs: 50 g
Vitamin A: 650 µg
Serving size: 2
Fiber: 7 g
Calcium: 180 mg
Protein: 36 g
Sodium: 590 mg
Potassium: 650 mg
