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Southwest Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe (Quick and Easy!)

Southwest Chicken Pasta Salad

Welcome to the flavorful world of Southwest Chicken Pasta Salad! If you’re looking for a dish that is not just satisfying but also bursting with vibrant colors and flavors, then you’ve come to the right place. This salad is a delightful mix of tender chicken, hearty pasta, and a medley of fresh vegetables, all tossed together with a zesty Southwest dressing.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American, Southwestern
Calories: 400
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 2 cups cooked pasta such as rotini or penne
  • 2 cups cooked chicken diced
  • 1 cup black beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup corn canned or frozen
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1 count bell pepper diced (any color)
  • 1/2 count red onion finely chopped
  • 1 count avocado diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped
  • 1/2 cup Southwest dressing store-bought or homemade
For seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Lime wedges for serving

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Cutting Board
  • Sharp Knife
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons
  • Serving Spoon
  • Refrigerator

Method
 

  1. Step 1: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions in a large pot of boiling salted water. Once al dente, drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool.
  2. Step 2: If you haven’t already cooked your chicken, grill, bake, or sauté until fully cooked. Once cooled slightly, dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces. If using leftover chicken, chop it up and set aside.
  3. Step 3: While the pasta is cooking, chop the bell pepper, red onion, and halve the cherry tomatoes. Dice the avocado and chop the cilantro.
  4. Step 4: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, diced chicken, black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, red onion, avocado, and cilantro.
  5. Step 5: Pour the Southwest dressing over the salad mixture and gently toss all ingredients together until well coated.
  6. Step 6: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately with lime wedges or refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving.

Notes

For best results, add the avocado just before serving to prevent browning. You can also hold off on adding the dressing until you're ready to serve to keep the pasta from becoming soggy.