Creamy chipotle chicken pasta salad tosses cooled pasta, chicken, corn, and peppers in a chipotle-lime mayonnaise dressing, chilled before serving, ready in about 30 minutes plus optional chilling time. Rinsing the cooked pasta with cold water before dressing it, as the instructions specify, stops the cooking and keeps the pasta from turning sticky once combined with the creamy dressing.
Creamy Chipotle Chicken Pasta Salad
Ingredients
- 12 oz short pasta, such as rotini or penne
- 2 cups cooked chopped chicken
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1 cup diced bell pepper
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 to 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp adobo sauce
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp honey
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tbsp chopped cilantro, optional
Instructions
- Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water until cooled.
- In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream or Greek yogurt, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, lime juice, honey, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add cooled pasta, chicken, corn, bell pepper, and red onion.
- Toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill for at least 20 minutes before serving if time allows.
- Taste and adjust lime juice, salt, or chipotle before serving.
Recipe Notes
- Rinsing pasta keeps the salad from getting sticky.
- Start with one chipotle pepper and add more after tasting.
- A short pasta shape holds the creamy dressing best.
- Use cooked chicken chilled promptly before mixing into the pasta salad.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep chilled and do not leave at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
- Reheating: Serve cold. If the salad thickens, stir in a spoonful of milk, yogurt, or lime juice before serving.
- Substitutions: Use rotisserie chicken for a fast version. Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. Add black beans or diced avocado just before serving.
Why you'll love this
- Whisking the chipotle peppers and adobo sauce into the mayonnaise-yogurt base before adding the pasta means the heat and smokiness distribute evenly, rather than pockets of the dish being much spicier than others.
- Chilling the salad for at least 20 minutes before serving, as the recipe suggests, lets the flavors meld into the pasta the way a quick toss-and-serve salad wouldn't achieve.
Tips for the best result
- Start with one chipotle pepper and add more after tasting, exactly as the recipe's own notes advise, since chipotle heat varies and is easier to add than to remove.
- Keep the salad chilled and don't leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours, per the recipe's own food-safety note, since it contains mayonnaise and cooked chicken.
Troubleshooting
The pasta salad is too spicy.
Balance it with extra mayonnaise or sour cream/Greek yogurt, since the recipe's own notes suggest starting light on chipotle peppers for exactly this reason - it's easier to add heat than to cool it down.
The salad thickened too much after chilling.
Stir in a spoonful of milk, yogurt, or lime juice before serving, as the recipe's own notes suggest, to loosen it back to a creamy consistency.
Recipe variations
- Feel free to get creative with your additions to this already amazing pasta salad.
- Stir in some black beans or corn for extra texture and a touch of sweetness.
- A sprinkle of fresh cilantro or diced avocado just before serving adds a burst of freshness and healthy fats.
- For those who love an extra kick, a dash of hot sauce or a few extra minced chipotle peppers can really amp up the heat.
- You could even swap out the chicken for grilled shrimp for a seafood twist!
The recipe's own notes say to store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping it chilled and not left out more than 2 hours at a time.
The recipe's own notes suggest rotisserie chicken for a fast version, or black beans and diced avocado added just before serving.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make Creamy Chipotle Chicken Pasta Salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! This pasta salad is fantastic for meal prep. Prepare it up to 24 hours in advance, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Just give it a good stir and possibly add a splash of milk or mayo before serving if it's too thick.
What kind of pasta works best?
Medium-sized pasta shapes like rotini, fusilli, penne, or bow ties are ideal. Their nooks and crannies hold onto the creamy dressing wonderfully, ensuring every bite is bursting with flavor and texture.
Can I use a different protein?
Yes! While chicken is classic, you can easily substitute it with grilled shrimp, shredded turkey, or even a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas for a vegetarian option. Adjust seasoning as needed.
How spicy is this dish?
The spice level is adjustable! Start with one chipotle pepper and add more to taste. The creamy dressing also helps to temper the heat, so it’s usually a pleasant warmth rather than an overpowering inferno.
What are chipotle peppers in adobo sauce?
These are smoked, dried jalapeños packed in a tangy, slightly spicy tomato-based sauce. They add an incredible depth of smoky, savory flavor and a gentle heat to dishes. You can find them in cans in the international aisle.
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