Mexican Chicken Pasta Salad

Submitted by papergoddess

"Cool, refreshing salad with a Mexican flavor. This can be served as a side dish or entree. (Prep time includes 1 hour refrigeration time)"

 

• Ready In: 1hr 25mins
• Ingredients: 19
• Serves: 6-8

ingredients

• 8 ounces penne pasta (2 cups uncooked)
• 2 cooked chicken breasts, diced (about 2 cups)
• 1 (8 3/4 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 small zucchini, cut in half lengthwise, then sliced
• 1 -2 stalk celery, sliced thin
• 1 medium sweet red pepper, sliced
• 1 medium green pepper, sliced (optional)
• 4 green onions, sliced
• 1 (4 -7 ounce) can green chilies
• 1⁄2 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
• 2 cups lettuce, chopped
• 1⁄4 cup chopped cilantro

• Dressing

• 3⁄4 cup mayonnaise
• 1⁄4 cup sour cream or 1/4 cup yogurt
• 2 tablespoons ReaLime juice
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 3⁄4 teaspoon cumin
• 1⁄2 teaspoon chili powder

directions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, drain, rinse, and set aside.
2. Combine all vegetables in a large bowl.
3. Combine all dressing ingredients; stir thoroughly.
4. Pour dressing over salad; toss to coat.
5. Chill 1 hour, then serve.
6. Note: Instead of mixing lettuce into salad, you can layer it on top to keep it from wilting.

Reviews

[Kate in Ontario]

Great tasting salad. The flavour combination worked well. I sprinkled the chicken breasts lightly with Tex-Mex seasoning before browning in roasted garlic olive oil. If short on time I think ranch dressing would work well with this salad.

 

[PalatablePastime]

Very simple and easy to prepare. Had a nice mild flavor accentuated by cumin and cilantro. A cool and refreshing choice that would be good for picnics as well as pot-lucks and warm-weather days!

 

[Pam Wrobel]

This is a very good salad. I omited the bell pepper due to stomach sensitivity & it was still very flavorful. I also decreased the fat content by using light sour cream & light best foods mayonaise to create the dressing. I'm sure you'd never notice the difference.

 

[adopt a greyhound]

Good salad. We liked all the mix of flavors. I left out the chicken and added avocado. Served with a queasadilla for meatless Mon.

 

[Stephanie S.]

I made this last night for dinner and my family enjoyed the flavor of it. DS did pick out some of the veggies, but otherwise ate it all. I loved the flavors of the dressing with the pasta, lettuce and chicken. This makes such a nice light dinner for these warmer evenings. Thank you for sharing with us, we will make this again this summer.