Description
Southwestern Pasta Salad is a creamy, flavorful dish made with tender pasta, chicken, beans, corn, fresh vegetables, and a zesty dressing. Perfect for make-ahead meals, potlucks, or easy dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta Salad:
- 12 oz rotini or penne pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
- ½ cup red onion, finely diced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Dressing:
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1½ tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse with cool water.
- In a large bowl, combine pasta, chicken, beans, corn, vegetables, cheese, and cilantro.
- Whisk dressing ingredients until smooth, then pour over salad and toss gently.
- Refrigerate at least 30 minutes before serving. Stir and adjust seasoning if needed.
Notes
- For best texture, reserve a small amount of dressing and stir it in just before serving.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
Nutrition
- Calories: 420
- Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Protein: 20g