By Becky Hardin
Published Aug 29, 2016
Mexican Pasta Salad is filled with all the best Tex-Mex flavors. This Chicken Enchilada Pasta Salad is made with chicken, black beans, corn, cilantro, cheese, enchilada sauce, and so much more! It’s such an easy chicken pasta salad recipe, and it’s sure to please. Make it as indulgent or healthy as you’d like, you can’t go wrong!
Mexican Pasta Salad
This chicken enchilada pasta salad is one of my new go-to recipes when I need to bring a dish to a party. Such an easy chicken pasta salad recipe you can make stress free!
I feel strongly that every person should have (at least) one killer pasta salad recipe in their repertoire. That one dish they can bring to every backyard party and be KNOWN FOR!
I’m trying to make a name for myself in the BBQ side dish world, and I think this Mexican Pasta Salad is just the thing. It’s quick and easy to throw together, just BURSTING with flavor, and sure to please. You will be the king or queen of any party with this awesome chicken pasta salad recipe, trust me!
This chicken enchilada pasta salad is loaded with everything that makes chicken enchiladas a favorite: chicken , corn, beans, cilantro, CHEESE, sour cream, and just the right amount of spice.
Now you can be the one with the awesome side dish everyone asks about. You’re going to be remembered for this pasta salad everywhere you go!
Creamy, spicy, delicious Mexican Pasta Salad is exactly what your backyard BBQ needs!
Chicken Enchilada Pasta Salad Recipe
This flavorful chicken pasta salad recipe wouldn’t be complete without my fave ingredients. OF COURSE! Taco seasoning is my jam in so many recipes, and Red Enchilada Sauce is my favorite way to add some subtle and creamy spice to any recipe. It’s not too spicy, but a little flavor goes a long way. Absolute perfection, Tex Mex at its finest!
That enchilada sauce is what really brings this Mexican pasta salad to the next level. It really makes it taste just like you’re eating chicken enchiladas! Such a great party dish for summer BBQs or Sunday get togethers.
Some quick tips to change things up:
- Use Greek Yogurt instead of sour cream to make it a little bit healthier.
- You can also use less cheese or omit it completely if you prefer.
- If you want to make it spicier (YES PLEASE!), add chopped jalapeños and just a dash of hot sauce.
There’s so much room to make this dish your own, but it will be so good no matter what!
How to Make Mexican Pasta Salad
Pasta salads are easy, easy, easy. They’re a must for summer parties, BBQ, Sunday afternoon lunches, you name it. This creamy Mexican Pasta Salad is my absolute favorite, because it tastes just like chicken enchiladas . Yum! Make it in about 30 minutes, and it’s ready to go when you are.
- Start by cooking the pasta (I like bowtie pasta for this recipe) according to package instructions.
- Season the chicken breast with taco seasoning and cook it in a skillet, then cut it into strips. You can do this while the pasta cooks.
- Drain the pasta and place it in a large bowl, then add in the rest of the ingredients and toss together, then add in the chicken.
- Top it off with sour cream and cilantro for an extra kick.
You can serve this hot or cold, whichever you prefer. If not eating it right away, just keep it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to eat.
This dish is like a taco salad , but with pasta–what’s not to love?
I just can’t get enough of this Chicken Enchilada Mexican Pasta Salad. The flavor is perfect, and I love eating leftovers for lunch. So good! I can’t for you to try this, I know you’ll love it.
See the recipe card for details on how to make Chicken Enchilada Pasta Salad. Enjoy!
Be sure to try these other easy pasta salad recipes:
- Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
- Strawberry Avocado Pasta Salad
- Tricolor Pasta Salad
- Green Goddess Pasta Salad
- BLT Pasta Salad
- Pesto Pasta Salad Recipe
- Classic Italian Pasta Salad
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 16 ounces bowtie pasta
- ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ▢ 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ▢ ½ ounce Taco Seasoning Click for Homemade Recipe!
- ▢ ¾ cup Red Enchilada Sauce
- ▢ ½ cup sour cream***
- ▢ 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
- ▢ 1 11 ounce can Mexican Corn, fully drained and rinsed
- ▢ 1 15 ounce can black beans, fully drained and rinsed
- ▢ ¼ cup freshly chopped cilantro
- ▢ ½ cup chopped red onion
- ▢ 1 cup Mexican blend cheese
- ▢ salt and pepper to taste
- ▢ optional add-ins: 1/4 cup chopped jalapeños 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- ▢ More sour cream and cilantro for garnish
- ▢ ***to make this healthier sub Greek yogurt for the sour cream and leave out the cheese!
Instructions
- Bring a pot of 5-6 quarts salted water to a boil.
- Add in the pasta and cook for 15 minutes, or until pasta is al dente.
- Meanwhile, coat each chicken breast with the taco seasoning, liberally on each side.
- Add the olive oil to a nonstick skillet and heat over medium/high heat. Add in the chicken and cook for 7-10 minutes on each side, depending on thickness, until chicken is cooked through. Cut with a knife to make sure the chicken is fully cooked. When cooked, cut into strips and set aside.
- When pasta is cooked, drain in a colander and place in a large bowl.
- Mix in the remaining ingredients: enchilada sauce, sour cream, lime juice, corns, bean, cilantro, onion, cheese, and salt and pepper to taste. Lastly stir in the chicken.
- Top with more sour cream and cilantro.
- Serve cold or hot, enjoy!
- ***to make spicier, add in the optional jalapeños and hot sauce. To make it healthier, sub Greek yogurt for the sour cream and leave out the cheese!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Chicken Enchilada Mexican Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 16 ounces bowtie pasta
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ½ ounce Taco Seasoning Click for Homemade Recipe!
- ¾ cup Red Enchilada Sauce
- ½ cup sour cream***
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 11 ounce can Mexican Corn, fully drained and rinsed
- 1 15 ounce can black beans, fully drained and rinsed
- ¼ cup freshly chopped cilantro
- ½ cup chopped red onion
- 1 cup Mexican blend cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
- optional add-ins: 1/4 cup chopped jalapeños 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- More sour cream and cilantro for garnish
- ***to make this healthier sub Greek yogurt for the sour cream and leave out the cheese!
Instructions
- Bring a pot of 5-6 quarts salted water to a boil.
- Add in the pasta and cook for 15 minutes, or until pasta is al dente.
- Meanwhile, coat each chicken breast with the taco seasoning, liberally on each side.
- Add the olive oil to a nonstick skillet and heat over medium/high heat. Add in the chicken and cook for 7-10 minutes on each side, depending on thickness, until chicken is cooked through. Cut with a knife to make sure the chicken is fully cooked. When cooked, cut into strips and set aside.
- When pasta is cooked, drain in a colander and place in a large bowl.
- Mix in the remaining ingredients: enchilada sauce, sour cream, lime juice, corns, bean, cilantro, onion, cheese, and salt and pepper to taste. Lastly stir in the chicken.
- Top with more sour cream and cilantro.
- Serve cold or hot, enjoy!
- ***to make spicier, add in the optional jalapeños and hot sauce. To make it healthier, sub Greek yogurt for the sour cream and leave out the cheese!
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
