This Taco Chicken Pasta Salad is a super easy lunch or light dinner recipe – especially in the warmer months!
Your summer needs this craveable twist on a classic side dish. Add as little or as much spice as you like to the simple homemade dressing for the perfect recipe for cookouts, picnics, potlucks, and busy nights!
If tacos are your jam, you have to try this Cheesy Chicken Taco Stack for a super easy 30 minute meal!
If you’re like me and can make a meal out of pasta salad, this recipe is for you! It’s full of veggies and protein, and had an irresistible taco inspired flavor that will keep you going back for more!
In the summer I crave things that are cool and fresh. Salads, pasta salad, fruit…but my love for Mexican food never dies down. This Taco Chicken Pasta Salad is the perfect way to combine all of those things together for the ultimate summer meal!
My kids are funny when it comes to pasta and potato salads though. One kid thinks it’s weird that it’s cold, so he usually warms it up.
Another will scout out a veggie he doesn’t like and it ruins the whole thing for him.
My 2 year old pretty much only eats eggs these days…
The others loved this salad. Even my neighbors and pasta salad hating husband went back for seconds 🙂  I count that as a huge win!!
I ate this for lunch 3 days in a row, and I would have eaten it for dinner too if baby would cooperate. I’m pretty much back to not being able to eat at night again. This baby is just not a fan.
If you are looking for a dish to bring to a potluck or cookout this summer – this is it! And be prepared to be asked for the recipe. It’s so good!!
Taco Chicken Pasta Salad
Print recipe| Serves | 10 |
| Prep time | 20 minutes |
| Meal type | Lunch, Main Dish, Salad, Side Dish |
| Misc | Child Friendly, Pre-preparable, Serve Cold |
| Occasion | Barbecue |
Ingredients
Salad
- 10oz macaroni pasta (cooked, drained, and cooled)
- 3 cups cooked chicken, chopped
- 1 Large green bell pepper, chopped
- 3/4 cups tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 cups black olives, chopped
- 1/4 cups red or sweet onion, finely diced
- 11oz corn
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Dressing
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 1/2 cups sour cream
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoons cumin
- 1/2 teaspoons paprika
- salt and pepper, to taste
Directions
| Salad | |
| Step 1 | |
| Add all salad ingredients to a large bowl and stir together. | |
| Dressing | |
| Step 2 | |
| In a separate bowl, add all dressing ingredients and mix together thoroughly. Pour over salad and stir. Cover and chill until ready to serve. | |
Misrii - Homemade Food says
All these recipes look amazing and are making my hungry tummy even MORE starving ???? delish!
Arya says
This taco salad with a combination of chicken and pasta does sound very delicious. I am definitely making it.