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Southwest Pasta Salad

Zesty Southwest Pasta Salad That Will Brighten Your Day

A vibrant Southwest Pasta Salad bursting with colorful veggies and grilled chicken, coated in a creamy chipotle ranch dressing.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: Southwestern
Calories: 350

Ingredients
  

For the Salad
  • 5 cups Rotini Pasta Any medium-sized pasta works as a substitute.
  • 1 can Black Beans Rinse and drain before using.
  • 1 cup Corn Fresh, frozen, or canned corn can be used.
  • 1 cup Bell Pepper Any color of bell pepper is fine.
  • 1 cup Red Onion Can substitute with sweet onion or green onions.
  • 1 cup Cherry or Grape Tomatoes Halved before adding.
  • 1/4 cup Cilantro Can substitute with parsley.
  • 1 cup Grilled Chicken Diced or shredded for even distribution.
For the Dressing
  • 1 cup Chipotle Ranch Dressing Regular ranch can be used as a milder alternative.

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Colander
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Spatula

Method
 

Preparation Steps
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to the package instructions, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. While the pasta cooks, rinse and drain the black beans and corn. Chop the bell pepper and red onion, and halve the cherry or grape tomatoes. Finely chop the cilantro.
  3. Dice the cooked and cooled grilled chicken into bite-sized pieces.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, black beans, corn, bell pepper, red onion, tomatoes, cilantro, and chicken. Toss gently to mix.
  5. Pour the chipotle ranch dressing over the salad and stir gently until coated.
  6. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 20gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 50mgSodium: 500mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 8gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 4mgIron: 10mg

Notes

For best flavor, prepare a day in advance and allow to chill prior to serving. Customize with seasonal vegetables as desired.

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