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Cool Chicken Taco Pasta Salad

Cool Chicken Taco Pasta Salad: Zesty and Creamy Goodness

Experience the refreshing Cool Chicken Taco Pasta Salad, a perfect blend of zesty flavors and creamy textures for summer gatherings.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Salads
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta Base
  • 8 oz Fusilli Pasta Feel free to substitute with any pasta shape you love.
For the Protein
  • 2 cups Chopped Cooked Chicken Leftover or rotisserie chicken works beautifully for convenience.
For the Veggies
  • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes Can replace with diced regular tomatoes.
  • 1/2 cup Chopped Scallions Green onions can be used instead.
  • 1/2 cup Sliced Black Olives Omit or substitute with diced pickles.
  • 1/4 cup Chopped Cilantro Parsley is a great alternative if you're not a cilantro fan.
  • 1/4 cup Chopped Green Chiles Use jalapeños for a spicier kick.
For the Dressing
  • 1 cup French or Catalina Dressing Consider ranch or homemade vinaigrette as a lighter option.
  • 1/2 cup Sour Cream Greek yogurt can make it a low-fat alternative.
  • 1 pkg Old El Paso Taco Seasoning Create your own spice mix for a fresh twist.
For the Topping
  • 1 cup Shredded Mexican Blend Cheese Feel free to omit for a dairy-free option.

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Colander
  • Salad bowl
  • mixing bowl
  • whisk

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add fusilli pasta and cook according to package instructions, about 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  2. In a salad bowl, combine cooled fusilli pasta, chopped chicken, cherry tomatoes, scallions, black olives, and cilantro. Toss to combine.
  3. In a mixing bowl, whisk together French dressing, sour cream, taco seasoning, and green chiles until smooth.
  4. Pour dressing over the pasta mixture and toss until coated.
  5. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes before serving. Stir before serving and add cheese if desired.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 21gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 60mgSodium: 740mgPotassium: 350mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 900IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 180mgIron: 2mg

Notes

For best flavor, allow the pasta salad to chill for a few hours before serving. This enhances the melded flavors.

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