Southwest Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe

Jump to Recipe

If you’re craving a dish that bursts with Southwest flavor and is as easy to make as it is to devour, this Southwest Chicken Pasta Salad is your go-to recipe!

This dish combines tender bow tie pasta with juicy grilled chicken, black beans, corn, and cherry tomatoes—all tossed in a zesty lime dressing that’s the perfect blend of spice and tanginess.

Whether you’re planning a casual weeknight dinner, a meal for family gatherings, or need a refreshing side dish for your next cookout, this Southwest pasta salad is the perfect dish to bring to the table.

Short on time or just don’t feel like making a meal on super warm days? This is the perfect dinner solution for you. Its quick and easy and requires minimal, fresh ingredients.

In fact, to make this simple meal even easier to make, pick up a rotisserie chicken from the store and toss it in. Voila! No grilling required!

This Southwest spin on a classic pasta salad is a great way to enjoy bold, vibrant flavors without spending hours in the kitchen. Plus, it’s a crowd-pleaser that everyone will love, especially during those long summer time dinners in the backyard.

Southwest Chicken Pasta Salad

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta: Begin by cooking the bow tie pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain the cooked pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool the pasta.
2. Prepare the Salad Dressing: In a blender, combine the lime juice, vinegar, garlic, chili powder, cumin, coriander, onion powder, salt, and sugar. Blend until smooth. Gradually add the oil while blending until the dressing is well emulsified. Turn off blender and add cilantro. Blend on low/medium speed so some pieces still remain intact.
3. Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked cooled pasta, black beans, cherry tomatoes, bell pepper, corn, green onions, and chopped chicken. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.
4. Chill and Serve: Transfer the salad to an airtight container and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld together. Before serving, give the salad a good stir, taste, and adjust the seasoning if needed. Garnish with crumbled queso fresco or cotija cheese and lime wedges.

Tips and Variations

• Make Ahead: This salad is even better the next day! Prepare it ahead of time and store it in a covered container in the fridge until ready to serve. Can be left in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
• Add More Veggies: Want to up the veggie content? Add pinto beans, black olives, or diced green chiles for even more Southwest flavor.
• Protein Options: Swap the chicken for grilled shrimp for a different twist.
• Vegetarian option: Just leave out the chicken for a meatless dish.
• Pasta Options: If you can’t find bow tie pasta, sub rotini pasta or even elbow macaroni in its place. 
• Serving Suggestion: Serve this salad as a main dish or as a side dish with grilled meats or seafood.

If you love this Southwest Pasta Chicken Salad Recipe, then you’ll love our Bacon Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad and Pizza Pasta Casserole (Gluten-Free).

Did you make this recipe? Let us know how it turned out by leaving a comment and rating below. And don’t forget to take a picture and tag us on Instagram @thetickledtastebud or share it on Pinterest so we can see.

For more delicious recipes, be sure to follow us on Pinterest and Instagram and subscribe to our food newsletter.

Happy eating!

Copyright © The Tickled Tastebud. All content and images are copyright protected. Do not use any images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, make sure to re-write the recipe in your own words and only list ingredients making sure to like back to this post for the original recipe and directions.