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Southwestern Chicken Pasta Salad

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A quick and easy Southwestern chicken pasta salad with smoky spices, creamy avocado, and zesty lime, perfect as a BBQ side dish or a fresh, hearty lunch.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta, cooked al dente
  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
  • 1 ripe avocado, diced
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained (optional)
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 ounces of rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain completely.
  2. While pasta cooks, dice or shred 2 cups of cooked chicken breast. Set aside.
  3. Dice 1 ripe avocado, 1 red bell pepper, finely chop 1/4 cup red onion, halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, and chop 1/4 cup fresh cilantro. Rinse and drain 1 cup canned black beans if using. Place all in a large mixing bowl.
  4. In a smaller bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon honey, and 1 minced garlic clove. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Blend briefly if desired for extra smoothness.
  5. Add the cooled pasta and chicken to the bowl with veggies. Pour the dressing over and toss gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly.
  6. Sprinkle 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese on top and give the salad a final gentle toss.
  7. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors marry before serving.

Notes

Rinse pasta under cold water to prevent mushiness. Blend dressing for extra smoothness if desired. Toss avocado with lime juice before adding to prevent browning. For best flavor, chill salad at least 30 minutes or overnight. Dressing can be kept separate and added before serving to keep salad crisp. Use gluten-free pasta for gluten-free diet and plant-based substitutes for dairy-free version.

Nutrition

Keywords: Southwestern chicken pasta salad, BBQ side dish, creamy avocado salad, easy pasta salad, summer salad, grilled chicken salad

Find it online: https://cooltastes.com/southwestern-chicken-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-perfect-bbq-side-dish/