Corn Pasta Salad
This isn’t your average pasta salad. It’s a creamy, smoky, and zesty dish inspired by Mexican street corn, or elote. With shredded chicken for a protein boost, it’s a perfect meal for summer gatherings, potlucks, or a delicious weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Salad, Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican-American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad:
- 12 oz gluten-free pasta (rotini or fusilli)
- 30 oz frozen corn (fire-roasted if possible)
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 cup finely diced red onion
- ⅓ cup chopped cilantro
- 1 cup crumbled cotija cheese
For the Dressing:
- ¾ cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
- ½ cup avocado oil mayo
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool.
- Make the Dressing: While the pasta cooks, whisk together all dressing ingredients in a medium bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Everything: In a large bowl, mix the cooled pasta, corn, red onion, shredded chicken, cilantro, and ¾ cup of the cotija cheese. Pour the dressing over the top.
- Toss and Serve: Gently toss all ingredients until evenly coated. Give it a taste and add more salt or lime juice if needed. Garnish with the remaining cotija cheese and extra cilantro.
Notes
- Serving Suggestions: This salad is a complete meal on its own, but it also pairs perfectly with grilled meats like burgers or BBQ ribs. The cool, creamy flavors are a great contrast to anything hot off the grill.
- Tips & Tricks: Using a store-bought rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut. For a smoky flavor without fire-roasted corn, you can quickly sauté regular corn in a hot pan to get a slight char.
- Storage: This salad is even better the next day! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen as it sits. Do not freeze, as the dressing will separate.
Find it online: https://new.projuktigeek.com/corn-pasta-salad/