I’m so excited to share one of my favorite recipes with you – Chicken Taco Pasta Salad!
This vibrant dish combines everything I love about tacos and pasta salad into one high-protein, delicious meal. It’s packed with flavor, easy to make, and perfect for those busy weeks when you need something quick yet satisfying.
This recipe has become a hit in my home, and I’m confident it’ll be the same for you. And if you’re a pasta salad fan like me, don’t miss our BLT Pasta Salad (a total crowd-pleaser) or our Classic Macro Friendly Pasta Salad – both perfect for summer BBQs or weekly meal prep.
3 Reasons Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Zesty flavors. We took a traditional pasta salad and gave it the ultimate twist – Tacos! Every bite is packed with the flavors of chicken tacos combined with the comfort of fluffy pasta.
- It's a whole meal, not just a side dish. Most pasta salads are used as sides, but our Chicken Taco Pasta Salad is a whole meal in itself! With 37g of protein per serving, this dish will leave you feeling full and satisfied.
- It's perfect for meal prepping. We love making a batch of this easy, high-protein salad to enjoy all week for lunch!
What Makes It Macro Friendly?
This Chicken Taco Pasta Salad isn’t just delicious; it’s designed to fit perfectly into your macro goals. Here’s why:
- High Protein: With lean chicken as the star, each serving packs a protein punch to help you stay full and fueled.
- Balanced Macros: We’ve paired protein with the right amount of carbs from pasta and healthy fats from taco-inspired toppings to create a well-rounded dish.
- Easy to Track: Pre-logged in MyFitnessPal and MacrosFirst, this recipe takes the guesswork out of tracking.
Whether you’re aiming for weight loss, building muscle, or simply maintaining a healthy lifestyle, this recipe makes hitting your macros simple, delicious, and stress-free.
If you're just getting started with macros, check out our beginners guide to tracking macros!
Macros by the Numbers
| Macros | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 488 |
| Protein | 37g |
| Carbs | 60g |
| Fat | 11g |
MyFitnessPal & MacrosFirst Pre-Log
“FHM Chicken Taco Pasta Salad”
Chicken Taco Pasta Salad (High Protein!)
Equipment
- 1 Large Pot
- 1 Colander or strainer
- 1 Large mixing bowl
- 1 Salad tongs or spoon
Ingredients
- 8 oz. Pasta of choice
- 12 oz. Grilled chicken chunks I used Tyson Grilled & Ready
- 1 cup Canned corn, drained
- 1 cup Canned black beans, drained
- 1 cup Pico de gallo
- 1 cup Bolthouse Farms Cilantro Avocado Dressing
- Chopped cilantro, optional for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool the pasta down.
- While the pasta cooks, open your canned beans and corn and drain. Microwave the chicken chunks according to the package instructions and cut into small, bite-sized pieces.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chicken, corn, beans, and pico de gallo.
- Pour the Bolthouse Farms Cilantro Avocado dressing over the ingredients. Toss gently to ensure everything is evenly coated.
- Top with some chopped cilantro and enjoy!
