High-Protein Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

If you love Mexican street corn (elote), this high-protein Mexican street corn pasta salad with chicken is going to be a favorite! It’s made with protein pasta, chicken, and a Greek yogurt dressing instead of mayo, so it’s lighter, high in protein, and satisfying.

I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love a good pasta salad, and this one has all the classic street corn flavors! Plus, it all comes together in one bowl in under 30 minutes and is perfect for meal prep, lunches, or an easy dinner. Be sure to try our healthy Mexican street corn salad, no-mayo Mexican tuna salad, and healthy Mexican street corn dip next!

🔍 Quick Look: High-Protein Street Corn Pasta Salad

• ⏱️ Prep Time: 15 minutes
• ⏱️ Cook Time: 10 minutes
• 🕒 Total Time: 25 minutes
• 🍽 Calories: ~331 kcal per serving
• 👥 Servings: 8 servings
• 🥣 Key Ingredients: Protein pasta, corn, chicken, green chiles, bell pepper, onion, cotija cheese, cilantro, Greek yogurt, lime juice, chili powder
• 📖 Dietary Information: High-protein
• 👩‍🍳 Cook Method: The pasta is cooked until al dente, and the rest of the ingredients for the pasta salad are mixed in a bowl.
• ⭐ Difficulty: Easy

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• High-Protein: This pasta salad is made with chicken, protein pasta, and Greek yogurt, for a protein-packed meal or side dish. Try our high-protein Italian pasta salad and chicken pesto pasta salad next!
• All the Mexican Street Corn Flavor: It has everything you love about elote, just in pasta salad form.
• So Easy to Make: There’s minimal prep work required! You really just chop a few veggies, and everything comes together in one bowl.
• Frozen Corn Makes It Simple: I love using frozen roasted corn. It makes this so easy, but still gives that classic street corn flavor.
• Creamy Without Mayo: The creamy dressing is made with Greek yogurt, so it’s lighter than traditional versions.
• Full Meal in One Bowl: You’ve got protein, veggies, and carbs all mixed together, which makes this perfect for lunch or dinner.

Key Ingredients

• Protein Pasta: Protein pasta helps boost the protein content of this pasta salad while making it hearty and satisfying.
• Roasted Corn: Frozen roasted corn adds sweet and smoky flavor. It gives this pasta salad its classic Mexican street corn-inspired flavor.
• Chicken: Fully cooked chicken breast adds lean protein, making this a filling and protein-packed meal.
• Green Chiles: Mild diced green chiles add delicious flavor and a subtle kick.
• Bell Pepper: Red bell pepper adds flavor and a crunchy texture.
• Cotija Cheese: Cotija cheese adds a salty, cheesy note that pairs perfectly with the street corn flavors. If you can’t find cotija cheese, use light or fat-free feta cheese instead.
• Cilantro: Fresh cilantro adds brightness and fresh flavor.
• Greek Yogurt: Plain non-fat Greek yogurt creates a creamy, protein-packed dressing. There’s no mayo in this recipe!
• Lime: Fresh lime juice adds a bright flavor that balances the creamy dressing.
• Seasoning: Garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper create a flavorful dressing.

Find the full measurements in the recipe card below.

Substitutions & Variations

• Pasta Options: You can use any pasta you have on hand, but I highly recommend using protein pasta. It’s an easy way to boost the protein even more, and honestly, I can barely tell the difference from regular pasta in this recipe.
• Corn Options: I used frozen roasted corn because I love the extra flavor it adds, but I’ve made this with regular frozen corn, and it turns out great, too. You can also use corn cut from cooked corn on the cob or rinsed and drained canned corn.
• Chicken to Use: You can swap the cooked chicken breast for shredded rotisserie chicken or our slow-cooker shredded chicken.
• Black Beans: If you want to add even more protein and fiber, stir in a can of rinsed and drained black beans.
• Avocado: Diced avocado is a delicious addition. I recommend adding it right before serving so it stays fresh and creamy.
• Green Onions Swap: Not a fan of green onions? I’ve also made this with finely diced red onion or sweet white onion, and both work well. Use 1/3-1/2 cup if substituting.
• Add Some Heat: If you like a little spice, add about 1/4 cup diced jalapeño or roughly chopped pickled jalapeños.

How To Make High-Protein Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Then, drain and set it aside to cool slightly.

2. Add the pasta to a large bowl. Then, add the frozen roasted corn, diced fully cooked chicken breast, mild diced green chiles, diced red bell pepper, sliced green onions, crumbled cotija or feta cheese, and chopped cilantro. Then, lightly toss these ingredients.

3. In a separate medium bowl, mix the Greek yogurt, fresh lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, cumin, and oregano until combined.

4. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad mixture and toss until everything is well coated. Serve right away, or chill it in the fridge until ready to enjoy.

Serving Suggestions

This street corn pasta salad is hearty enough to enjoy on its own for lunch or dinner, thanks to the chicken, protein pasta, and Greek yogurt dressing. I also love it for meal prep! Just portion it into containers for easy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week.

If you want to switch it up, add diced avocado, extra cotija, or a squeeze of fresh lime right before serving for even more flavor. It pairs well as a side with our healthy Mexican stuffed peppers, easy sheet pan chicken fajitas, healthy Mexican meatloaf, slow cooker chicken tinga, and enchilada skillet with ground turkey.

Or, if you’re making it for a cookout, it fits right in with other BBQ-style dishes like slow cooker BBQ chicken burgers, slow cooker baked beans, grilled veggies, or our healthy coleslaw.

Storage Instructions

Store leftover Mexican street corn pasta salad in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. I actually think the flavors get even better as it sits. I don’t recommend freezing this one since the Greek yogurt dressing can separate once thawed.

More Recipes to Try Next!

Sides

Mexican Street Corn Salad Without Mayo (Esquites)

Chicken

Healthy Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

Turkey

Ground Turkey Enchilada Skillet

Appetizers

Mexican Street Corn Dip

If you try this recipe, please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating, ★★★★★, letting us know how it turns out for you.