• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Butter Your Biscuit
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipe Index
    • Appetizers
    • Air Fryer
    • Breakfast
    • Drinks
    • Dessert
    • Entrees
    • One Pot Meals
    • Sides
    • Slow Cooker
    • Soups
    • How to
    • Privacy-Policy
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About Me
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • About Me
    • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Sides » Southwestern Chicken Pasta Salad

    Southwestern Chicken Pasta Salad

    Published: Jun 5, 2022 by Wendie · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe
    A pinterest pin of southwest chicken salad.

    Southwestern chicken pasta salad is a quick and easy dinner or satisfying side dish. Loaded with chicken, and veggies and smothered in a delicious ranch dressing.

    A bowl of pasta salad with two wooden spoons.


    We may earn a small commission for purchases made through links in this post. Read our disclosure policy here.

    There is something about a refreshing cold pasta salad on a hot summer day. You may also like my Deviled Egg Pasta Salad or my Chicken Caesar pasta Salad.

    Why this recipe works

    This pasta salad has a delicious southwest flavor. It's the perfect make-ahead dish for summertime barbecues or potlucks. A perfect hearty dish loaded with great flavors like this Italian Pasta Salad.

    Ingredients needed

    All the ingredients needed for this recipe.

    Ingredient Notes

    • Pasta: I use rotini pasta but any short pasta will work fine.
    • Chicken: Leftover chicken works great or even a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store.
    • Beans: I use black beans, but pinto beans would be great also.
    • Cheese: I use a mixture of pepper jack cheese and cheddar.
    • Bell peppers: Either red pepper or green peppers are delicious.
    • Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes work great but you can also just dice up a tomato.
    • Corn: Canned, frozen, or even fresh
    • Cilantro: If you hate cilantro you can use parsley instead.
    • Ranch dressing: I like to buy the powder and make my own dressing.
    • Garlic powder: Granulated garlic also works.

    How to make this recipe

    Ranch dressing with spices in a small bowl.

    In a small bowl add the ranch dressing ingredients and whisk until combined. Place in the refrigerator until ready to use.

    Add the cooked chicken, cooked pasta, and veggies into a large salad bowl.

    Dressing poured on top of chicken salad ingredients.

    Pour the dressing on top of the pasta mixture and toss until coated, cover and chill until ready to serve.

    A large bowl with chicken pasta salad.

    Recipe Tips

    • Toss in some leftover taco meat for a delicious twist!
    • Shredded cheese can be used instead of cubed cheese.
    • Rinsing the pasta in cold water after cooking helps stop the cooking process.
    A serving of pasta salad in a bowl with a fork.

    Recipe Faq's

    Some delicious substitutions

    You could add in some chopped black olives, jalapeños, and red onion, or add in some diced avocados right before serving.

    How long does this last?

    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

    Can this be made in advance?

    Yes, this southwestern pasta salad is even better the next day. If the sauce soaks into the pasta too much you can add in a couple of tablespoons of ranch dressing or even sour cream to freshen it up a bit.

    Do I have to add chicken?

    Of course not, you could add in some grilled shrimp. Or you can leave the meat out of this southwest pasta salad altogether.

    What to serve with this pasta salad

    • bacon jalapeno twice baked potato on a black plate with sour cream and a jalapeno slice on top
      Bacon Jalapeño Twice Baked Potatoes
    • A loaf of artisan bread in a dutch oven.
      Artisan Bread NO KNEAD
    • Sweet N Spicy grilled chicken thighs on a baking sheet with grilled asparagus and lemon slices.
      Sweet N Spicy Grilled Chicken Thighs
    • Cheddar Bay Biscuits

    MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW ME ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, AND PINTEREST FOR ALL MY LATEST RECIPES!

    A large bowl with southwest chicken pasta salad.

    Southwestern Chicken Pasta Salad

    Wendie
    Southwestern chicken pasta salad is a quick and easy dinner or satisfying side dish. Loaded with chicken, and veggies and smothered in a delicious ranch dressing.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 1 hour hr
    Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
    Course Sides
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories 487 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • For the dressing
    • For the salad
    • 1 3/4 cups prepared ranch dressing
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon chili powder
    • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
    • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 12 ounces rotini pasta
    • 2 cup diced cooked chicken
    • 1 14.5 oz can black beans rinsed and drained
    • 1 cup diced cheddar cheese*
    • 1 cup green bell pepper diced
    • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
    • 1 cup fresh or canned corn
    • ¼ cup sliced green onions

    Instructions
     

    For the dressing

    • 1. In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients until well combined.

    For the salad

    • 2. Cook pasta according to the package instructions. Rinse pasta under cool water.
    • 3. Add the cooked pasta and chicken and the veggies to a large salad bowl. Pour the dressing on top and toss until coated.
    • 4. Cover and chill for at least 1 hour, serve and enjoy!

    Notes

    Toss in some leftover taco meat for a delicious twist!
    Any short pasta will work.
    leftover chicken works great or grab a rotisserie.
    canned, frozen or fresh corn can be used.
    Shredded cheese can be used instead of diced.
    If you hate cilantro use fresh chopped parsley.
    If the sauce has soaked into the leftover pasta salad to much the next day, mix in a couple of tablespoons of ranch dressing or sour cream to freshen it up a bit.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 487kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 19gFat: 32gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 22gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 971mgFiber: 6gSugar: 5g
    Keyword chicken salad, pasta salad, southwest salad
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!


    « Grilled Teriyaki Steak
    Cheesy Sausage Zucchini Casserole »

    Sharing is caring!

    237 shares
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Yummly

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi There! Welcome to Butter Your Biscuit. This is where I create simple, savory, and sweet recipes that anyone can make from home. Read More…

    FOLLOW ME!

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    Fall Comfort Foods

    • Wine braised short ribs with carrots and mashed potatoes on a plate.
      Beef Short Ribs Braised in Red Wine
    • Chicken pot pie with a spoon in it.
      Mini Freezer Chicken Pot Pies
    • Apple cinnamon loaf with a slice cut away.
      Apple Walnut Fritter Bread
    • Chicken stuffing casserole with a wooden spoon scooping some out.
      Chicken Stuffing Casserole

    Trending Recipes

    • Ribs placed on top of foil with a side of bbq sauce.
      Easy BBQ Oven Baked Ribs
    • Oven fried chicken on a white plate.
      Oven Fried Chicken
    • A wooden spoon scooping up some macaroni salad.
      Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad
    • honey garlic butter shrimp on a fork
      Honey Garlic Butter Shrimp & Broccoli
    • Starbucks copycat banana bread slices stacked on top of each other
      Starbucks Copycat Banana Bread
    • Spicy shrimp ramen bowl on chopsticks
      Spicy Shrimp Ramen Bowls

    Footer

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy
    • Sponsor

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Follow

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Brunch Pro on the Brunch Pro Theme

    237 shares
    237 shares