High Protein Chicken Fajita Pasta Salad
High Protein Chicken Fajita Pasta Salad with chicken breast, rotini, peppers, black beans, corn, and creamy lime dressing.
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 ounces rotini pasta
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fajita seasoning
- 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper thinly sliced
- ½ red onion thinly sliced
- 1 cup black beans rinsed and well drained
- 1 cup corn thawed if frozen
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ¼ cup fresh chopped cilantro
Creamy Lime Dressing:
- ½ cup plain nonfat greek yogurt
- ¼ cup light Mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fajita seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with salted water. Bring the water to a boil.
- Add the rotini pasta.
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions until tender.
- Drain the pasta in a colander. Rinse the pasta under cold water until cooled. Drain the pasta well.
- In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the chicken and 1 tablespoon fajita seasoning.
- Cook the chicken for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring often, until cooked through.
- Transfer the chicken to a plate. Let the chicken cool.
- Add the red bell pepper, yellow bell pepper, and red onion to the same skillet.
- Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring often, until slightly softened but still crisp. Let the vegetables cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, chicken, bell peppers, red onion, black beans, corn, cherry tomatoes, and cilantro.
- In a small mixing bowl, add the Greek yogurt, light mayonnaise, lime juice, olive oil, fajita seasoning, garlic powder, chili powder, salt, and black pepper.
- Using a wire whisk, mix the dressing until smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture. Toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Cover the bowl. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Stir before serving.
Notes
Tips and Tricks
Cool the chicken before mixing - Warm chicken can loosen the dressing and soften the vegetables. Stir before serving - The dressing can settle while the salad chills. Stirring helps coat the pasta again. Taste after chilling - Cold pasta can soften the taste of seasoning. Add a small pinch of salt or a squeeze of lime if needed.Storing
Store in the Refrigerator - Place the pasta salad in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Stir Before Serving - Stir the pasta salad before serving to coat the ingredients with the dressing again.Nutrition
Calories: 537kcalCarbohydrates: 77gProtein: 34gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 51mgSodium: 281mgPotassium: 1171mgFiber: 11gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 1006IUVitamin C: 69mgCalcium: 163mgIron: 5mg
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