Description
This Grilled Corn Elote Pasta Salad Greek Yogurt is a creamy, protein-packed pasta salad loaded with charred corn, tender chicken, cotija cheese, fresh cilantro, and a zesty lime Greek yogurt dressing. It’s an easy 30-minute recipe that’s perfect for summer cookouts, potlucks, meal prep, or a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dressing
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (Fage Total 5% recommended)
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1½ teaspoons chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Zest and juice of 1½ limes
For the Salad
- 6.7 ounces rotini pasta
- 2½ cups corn
- 2 teaspoons avocado oil
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- 2½ cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 cup crumbled cotija cheese
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
For Garnish
- Extra cotija cheese
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime wedges
Instructions
- Make the Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, lime zest, and lime juice until smooth.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well without rinsing.
- Char the Corn: Preheat the broiler to high. Toss the corn with avocado oil and ¼ teaspoon chili powder. Spread onto a baking sheet and broil for 3–4 minutes, stirring halfway through, until lightly charred.
- Assemble the Salad: Add the cooked pasta, charred corn, shredded chicken, cotija cheese, and cilantro to the bowl with the dressing. Toss gently until evenly coated.
- Serve: Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with extra cotija, cilantro, and lime wedges. Serve slightly warm or chilled.
Notes
- Don’t rinse the pasta—the starch helps the dressing cling to every bite.
- Fresh corn provides the best flavor, but frozen or canned corn works well too.
- Feta cheese is a great substitute for cotija.
- Rotisserie chicken makes this recipe even quicker.
- For extra smoky flavor, grill the corn instead of broiling.
- Refrigerate leftovers for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Salad
- Method: Boiling, Broiling
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 435 Kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 610 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg