Description
This Refreshing High Protein BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad features tender, flavorful BBQ chicken, tossed with perfectly cooked pasta, crunchy veggies, and a creamy, tangy dressing. It is a fantastic combination of textures and flavors.
Ingredients
12 oz pasta of choice
3 ears of corn, grilled and cut off the cob
1 grilled chicken breast, diced (optional but recommended for protein)
½ cup cotija cheese, crumbled
1 jalapeño, minced
¼ cup red onion, finely diced
½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Juice of 2 limes
For the lime crema dressing:
½ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup sour cream
Juice of 1 lime
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
Salt to taste
Instructions
Cook pasta until it’s al dente, then rinse and drain.
Whisk the dressing ingredients together.
Mix pasta with corn, chicken, cotija, jalapeo, and red onion.
Pour the dressing over and toss to coat.
Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Before serving, top with extra cotija, cilantro, chili powder, and lime wedges.
Notes
Don’t overcook our pasta. Cook it until it’s perfectly tender, but still has a bit of bite.
Adjust the seasoning to your taste. Start with less salt and pepper and add more as needed.
Allow the salad to chill for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
If you’re making this ahead, add the dressing just before serving to prevent the pasta from becoming soggy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 450
- Fat: 25g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Protein: 25g