Introduction
This Southwest Ranch Chicken Pasta Salad is a crowd-pleaser that masterfully combines cool, creamy ranch with a zesty southwestern kick. It’s a satisfying one-bowl meal loaded with protein, veggies, and the irresistible crunch of Cool Ranch Doritos. You get the comfort of pasta salad with flavors that are anything but ordinary.
Prep & Cook Time
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 8
Ingredients
- 16 ounces rotini (spiral) pasta
- 1 cup frozen corn (defrosted and drained well)
- 15 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained well
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 2.25 ounce can sliced olives, drained
- 1 cup cubed Colby Jack cheese
- 1 medium red bell pepper (chopped)
- 4 green onions (thinly sliced)
- 1 ½ cups chopped cooked chicken (I used rotisserie chicken)
- 1 cup crushed Cool Ranch Doritos
- ½ cup bottled Ranch salad dressing
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup chunky salsa
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Cook the rotini pasta according to package directions in salted water. Drain, rinse with cool water until the pasta is no longer warm, and drain very well. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- To the bowl with the cooled pasta, add the corn, black beans, cherry tomatoes, olives, Colby Jack cheese, red bell pepper, green onions, and chopped chicken. Gently stir to combine.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the Ranch dressing, sour cream, chunky salsa, and cumin until smooth and fully combined.
- Pour the dressing mixture over the pasta salad. Gently fold everything together until all ingredients are evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Just before serving, fold in the crushed Cool Ranch Doritos.
Variations
- Make it a Dip: For a party appetizer, serve the prepared salad chilled with sturdy tortilla chips for scooping.
- Warm Version: Skip the salad chilling step and serve the mixed pasta salad warm, topped with the crushed Doritos, for a cozy casserole-like dish.
- Pasta Swap: Use an equal weight of bowtie (farfalle) or shell pasta to catch more of the dressing in its crevices.
- Picnic Style: Pack the chilled salad and the crushed Doritos separately, mixing in the chips right at your destination to ensure maximum crunch.
Tips for Success
- Drain Everything Well: Excess moisture from the corn, beans, olives, and rinsed pasta is the enemy of a creamy, not-watery, salad. Pat ingredients dry if needed.
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cook the pasta al dente (firm to the bite), as it will soften slightly while chilling in the dressing.
- Chill Before Adding Chips: Always add the crushed Doritos just before serving. If mixed in too early, they will become soggy.
- Taste Before Final Seasoning: The dressing, salsa, and Doritos contain salt. Taste the assembled salad before adding additional salt.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Note that the Doritos will lose their crunch over time. This salad is best served cold and is not recommended for reheating, as the dairy-based dressing can separate.
FAQ
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the salad (excluding the Doritos) up to one day in advance. Store it covered in the fridge and add the crushed chips right before serving.
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, any short pasta shape like penne, farfalle, or shells will work as a substitute for the rotini.
Is there a substitute for rotisserie chicken?
You can use any pre-cooked, shredded, or cubed chicken. Leftover grilled or baked chicken breast works perfectly.
Can I use low-fat sour cream and ranch dressing?
Yes, low-fat or light versions of both sour cream and bottled ranch dressing can be used without significantly altering the final dish.
How spicy is this salad?
The spice level largely depends on your choice of chunky salsa. For a mild salad, use a mild salsa. For more heat, choose a medium or hot salsa.
My salad seems dry. What should I do?
If the salad seems dry after chilling, you can stir in an extra tablespoon or two of ranch dressing or sour cream to loosen it up before serving.
