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Southwest Chicken Pasta Salad

Delicious Southwest Chicken Pasta Salad for Your Next Gathering

This Southwest Chicken Pasta Salad is a vibrant Tex-Mex dish perfect for gatherings and quick meals.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 ounces Rotini Pasta Substitute with penne or fusilli if preferred.
For the Protein
  • 2 cups Cooked Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts Rotisserie chicken is a quicker option.
For the Vegetables
  • 1 cup Green Bell Pepper Other colorful bell peppers can enhance visual appeal.
  • 1 cup Red Bell Pepper Can be omitted if desired.
  • 1 cup Roma Tomatoes Substitute with grape or cherry tomatoes if needed.
  • ½ cup Olives Pick either black or green olives.
  • 1 cup Corn Frozen corn works perfectly.
  • ½ cup Red Onion Sweet onions can be used for a milder flavor.
For the Beans
  • 1 can Black Beans Kidney beans can be used instead.
  • 1 can Pinto Beans Omit or increase black beans to preference.
For the Seasonings
  • 1 packet Taco Seasoning Mix Homemade taco seasoning can also be used.
For the Creamy Dressing
  • 1 cup Mayonnaise Substituting with Greek yogurt makes it healthier.
  • ½ cup Sour Cream Plain yogurt is a great alternative.
  • ½ cup Salsa Use your favorite type for unique flavor.
  • ¼ cup Buttermilk A milk-vinegar mixture can be a suitable replacement.
  • 1 packet Fiesta Ranch Dip Seasoning Ranch seasoning can serve as a substitute.
For the Final Touch
  • 1 cup Colby Jack Cheese Use Cheddar or Monterey Jack if preferred.

Equipment

  • large pot
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Smaller bowl
  • Spatula
  • Whisk

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat, add the rotini pasta, and cook for 8-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, green and red bell peppers, Roma tomatoes, olives, corn, red onion, black beans, and pinto beans. Add the taco seasoning mix and stir well.
  3. Gently fold the cooled pasta into the chicken and vegetable mixture until evenly distributed.
  4. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, salsa, buttermilk, and fiesta ranch dip seasoning until smooth.
  5. Pour the dressing over the pasta and chicken mixture, gently fold until evenly coated.
  6. Fold in the Colby Jack cheese and refrigerate for at least 2-4 hours before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 25gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 600mgPotassium: 700mgFiber: 10gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 20IUVitamin C: 50mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 10mg

Notes

This salad is best served chilled and can be made a day in advance for enhanced flavor.

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