Southwest Chicken Pasta Salad with Creamy Lime Dressing

This Southwest Chicken Pasta Salad with Creamy Lime Dressing is a hearty, flavor-packed recipe made with seasoned chicken, pasta, beans, and a bright, creamy citrus dressing. It’s easy to prepare ahead and perfect for gatherings or a satisfying everyday meal.

Course Main Course, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword chicken, pasta, pasta salad, southwest

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 12

Total Time 32

Servings

Calories 417kcal

Ingredients

10 ounces rainbow rotini pasta
1 pound chicken breast strips
1.25 ounce packet taco seasoning
1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil
11 ounce can Mexicorn, drained
15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese cubed

Dressing

½ cup fresh orange juice
¼ cup olive oil or vegetable oil
¼ cup sour cream
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 teaspoons Taco Seasoning Mix
1 teaspoon sugar
¼ teaspoon cumin
⅛ teaspoon salt
1 cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves or parsley
Lime slices and cilantro to garnish optional

Instructions

Cook the pasta in salted water according to the package directions until tender. Drain, then rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and to cool the pasta. Let it drain well so it’s not watery.
Add all of the dressing ingredients to a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy, then set aside.
Place the chicken strips in a bowl or large zip-top bag. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the top and toss or shake until the chicken is evenly coated.
Warm the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until it’s nicely browned and cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, corn, black beans and cheese. Pour the dressing over everything and toss until well coated.
Add the cooked chicken and gently mix to combine. Chill in the fridge for an hour or two to help all those flavors come together. If you’d like, finish with a few extra cilantro leaves and lime wedges for serving.

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