Mexican Chicken Pasta Salad
A flavorful Mexican chicken pasta salad combining Italian pasta, spicy red pepper, tender chicken, fresh tomato, and cheese, perfect for a quick, crowd-pleasing meal or party dish.
Ingredients
- 1 package Suddenly Salad Italian pasta ⓘ
- 1/4 cup dairy sour cream ⓘ
- 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper ⓘ
- 1 (6 3/4 oz.) can chunk chicken or about 1 cup cooked, cut-up chicken
- Tortilla chips ⓘ
- 1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped ⓘ
- 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese ⓘ
- Guacamole ⓘ
- Sliced ripe olives
Instructions
- Prepare the pasta salad as directed on the package, omitting the oil from the dressing, and mix in sour cream and red pepper.
- Stir in the drained chunk chicken or cooked chicken pieces.
- Line a serving plate with tortilla chips and mound the prepared salad onto the chips.
- Top the salad with chopped tomato and shredded cheese.
- Garnish with guacamole and sliced ripe olives, if desired.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider substituting Greek yogurt for the sour cream for a tangy twist. If you want extra crunch, toss in some diced bell peppers or corn. You can also use rotisserie chicken for convenience instead of cooking your own. This recipe is versatile, so feel free to adjust the spice level by adding more or less ground red pepper.
Serving Suggestions
This salad is perfect as a quick lunch or a light dinner and pairs beautifully with Chicken Nachos - Meets The Four F'S (Fine Finger Football Food). For a full meal, serve it alongside a refreshing cucumber salad or some grilled corn on the cob. You can also add a side of salsa for an extra kick.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover Mexican Chicken Pasta Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To maintain the crispness of the tortilla chips, keep them separate and add them just before serving. If reheating, gently warm the chicken pasta salad in the microwave, but avoid overheating to prevent the cheese from becoming rubbery.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Mexican Chicken Pasta Salad contains roughly 89 calories, with 4g protein, 9g carbohydrates, and 5g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (71% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 478mg per serving (21% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the pasta salad in advance. Just mix the ingredients and store them in the refrigerator. However, it's best to add the tortilla chips and toppings, like guacamole and olives, right before serving to keep everything fresh and crunchy.
What can I substitute for the chicken?
If you're looking for a vegetarian option, you can replace the chicken with black beans or chickpeas for protein. Grilled shrimp or diced turkey can also be great alternatives if you want to keep it meaty.
Is this salad spicy?
The level of spiciness can easily be adjusted. The recipe includes ground red pepper, which adds some heat. If you prefer a milder taste, you can reduce the amount or omit it entirely. You can also include toppings like sour cream to help balance the spice.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).