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Southwestern Pasta Salad

Southwestern Pasta Salad

Southwestern Pasta Salad is a colorful and refreshing dish that combines vibrant flavors and hearty ingredients, making it an ideal choice for picnics, potlucks, or a satisfying meal at home. With zesty chipotle ranch dressing, this salad is not only quick to prepare but also highly customizable. Featuring rotini pasta, black beans, corn, fresh vegetables, and grilled chicken, it offers a nutritious balance of protein and fiber. Whether served as a side dish or enjoyed as a main course, this salad is sure to impress guests and family alike.

Ingredients

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  • 12 oz rotini pasta
  • 1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
  • 1 can corn (drained)
  • 1 cup bell pepper (diced)
  • 1 cup red onion (diced)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
  • ½ cup cilantro (chopped)
  • 2 cups grilled chicken (chopped)
  • 1 cup chipotle ranch dressing

Instructions

  1. Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions; drain and rinse with cold water.
  2. Drain and rinse the black beans and corn.
  3. Dice the bell pepper and red onion; halve the cherry tomatoes.
  4. Chop the cilantro and grilled chicken into bite-sized pieces.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients: pasta, black beans, corn, bell pepper, red onion, tomatoes, cilantro, chicken.
  6. Pour in the chipotle ranch dressing; mix until evenly coated.
  7. Cover and chill in the fridge for at least one hour before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: For added heat, incorporate diced jalapeños. Substitute other proteins like shrimp or tofu for variety. Use fresh seasonal vegetables for enhanced flavor.