Best 2 Southwestern Chicken Pasta Salad Recipes

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Southwestern chicken pasta salad is a flavorful and versatile dish that combines the bold flavors of Southwest cuisine with the classic comfort of pasta salad. With its vibrant blend of grilled chicken, corn, black beans, bell peppers, and a tangy dressing, this salad is a perfect choice for a light meal, a side dish for a cookout, or a packed lunch. Whether you are a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, let's embark on a culinary journey to discover the best recipe for southwestern chicken pasta salad, transforming your taste buds to the vibrant landscapes of the Southwest.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN AND PASTA SALAD



Southwestern Chicken and Pasta Salad image

Provided by Erin Renouf Mylroie

Categories     Salad     Chicken     Pasta     Tomato     Kid-Friendly     Quick & Easy     Back to School     Summer     Cilantro     Bon Appétit     California     Small Plates

Yield Serves 8

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 pound farfalle (bow-tie) pasta
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 cups diced cooked chicken
8 green onions, chopped
6 plum tomatoes, chopped
1 15-ounce can golden hominy, drained
1 15-ounce can black beans, drained
1 12-ounce bottle mild green taco sauce
1 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Steps:

  • Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain; rinse under cold running water and drain again.
  • Transfer pasta to large bowl. Add oil and toss to coat. Mix in chicken, green onions, tomatoes, hominy, beans, taco sauce and cilantro. Season salad generously with salt and pepper.

SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN PASTA SALAD



Southwestern Chicken Pasta Salad image

Dinner ready in 30 minutes! Enjoy this delicious pasta salad flavored with Old El Paso® salsa and made using chicken and corn - perfect for a Southwestern meal.

Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 30m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 11

6 oz. (2 cups) uncooked rainbow rotini (spiral pasta)
1 (9-oz.) pkg. frozen southwestern-flavored cooked chicken breast strips, thawed, diced
1 medium avocado, pitted, peeled and diced
1 large tomato, chopped
1 (11-oz.) can whole kernel sweet corn, drained
1/2 cup sliced green onions
4 oz. (1 cup) finely shredded Mexican cheese blend
3/4 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup Old El Paso™ Thick 'n Chunky salsa
1 (11-oz.) pkg. torn romaine and iceberg lettuce blend (6 cups)
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Steps:

  • Cook and drain rotini as directed on package. Rinse with cold water to cool. Drain well.
  • Meanwhile, in large bowl, mix chicken, avocado, tomato, corn, onions and cheese. In small bowl, mix mayonnaise and salsa.
  • Add rotini to salad; stir gently to mix. Add mayonnaise mixture to salad; toss to coat. Arrange lettuce blend on individual plates. Spoon salad over lettuce. Sprinkle with cilantro.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 565, Carbohydrate 40 g, Cholesterol 70 mg, Fat 7, Fiber 5 g, Protein 25 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 775 mg, Sugar 7 g

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients. This will make a big difference in the flavor of your pasta salad.
  • Cook the pasta al dente. This means cooking it until it is just tender, but still has a slight bite to it. This will prevent the pasta from becoming mushy in the salad.
  • Let the pasta cool completely before adding it to the salad. This will help to prevent the pasta from absorbing too much of the dressing and becoming soggy.
  • Use a light hand when adding the dressing. You can always add more dressing later, but it is difficult to remove it if you add too much.
  • Garnish the salad with fresh herbs or grated Parmesan cheese before serving. This will add a pop of flavor and color to the dish.

Conclusion:

Southwestern chicken pasta salad is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a summer potluck or picnic. It is packed with flavor and can be customized to your liking. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give this recipe a try.

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