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Home » Course » Salad » Chicken Macaroni Salad

Published: May 8, 2021 · Modified: Jun 4, 2022 by Veronika's Kitchen * This post may contain affiliate links

Chicken Macaroni Salad

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This homemade Chicken Macaroni Salad is a classic pasta salad recipe that is packed with vegetables and creamy mayo-based dressing. It will be perfect for lunch, dinner, or a Summer cookout party!

Chicken Macaroni Salad in a white bowl.

Macaroni salad is a staple dish in the Summer. It’s filling, refreshing, and very satisfying. I like to add some cooked chicken to my version of this classic recipe, that makes it taste like a mix of chicken and pasta salads. You can also play around with flavors and add more ingredients to your liking. For the mayo-based dressing, I always add some white wine vinegar and Dijon mustard to spice it up.

This recipe will be great for any cookout party, together with my other salads, like Orzo Pasta Salad, Chicken Cobb Salad, BLT Pasta Salad, Potato Salad with Bacon and Eggs, and Farro Salad Recipe.

Ingredients for Chicken Macaroni Salad.

How to make it

Cook Pasta. Cook 8 oz elbow pasta until al dente. When done, drain and rinse under cold water, then let it cool off.

Process photos of how to cook pasta.

Make the Dressing. While the pasta is cooking, combine 1 cup mayonnaise, 2 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp white wine vinegar, ½ tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp granulated sugar, 1 tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper in a mixing bowl and mix until well combined.

Process photos of how to make salad dressing.

Make the Salad. In a large mixing bowl, add cooked and cooled elbow pasta, 2 cups cooked and chopped chicken breast, ½ cup chopped red bell pepper, ½ cup chopped celery, ½ cup grated carrots, ⅓ cup chopped green onion. Add the dressing and mix until combined.

Process photos of adding ingredients to the pasta salad.

Tips for best results

  • Cook the macaroni al dente. When you drain it, they still should have a bite. If you cook until they are fully cooked and then mix with the salad dressing, they will absorb extra moisture and will become too mushy.
  • After the pasta is cooked, I like to rinse it under cold water. This extra step helps to stop the cooking process (so the pasta won’t get mushy) and prevent it from sticking.
  • You can use any cooked chicken you have on hand (boiled, pan seared, baked, or rotisserie).
  • I like to refrigerate this dish for at least an hour before serving. That will help all the flavors to meld together and absorb the dressing.
Chicken Macaroni Salad in a white bowl.

Frequently Asked Questions

What else can I add to it?

You can add pretty much any ingredients to the dish that you want. Here are a few of my ideas:
– Hard-boiled eggs
– Pickles
– Red onion
– Cherry tomatoes
– Raisins or cranberries
– Ham, bacon, or canned tuna instead of the chicken

How long can I keep it for?

You can store it in refrigerator in an air-tight container for up to 3-4 days.

What shall I serve it with?

This recipe is great for lunch, picnic, and Summer parties. So, I like to serve it with some other simple refreshing dishes. Here are a few ideas:
Appetizers: Cherry Tomato Bruschetta, Bruschetta with Mozzarella, Mango Avocado Salsa, Simple Guacamole, Pigs in a Puff Pastry Blanket.
Meats: Instant Pot BBQ Ribs, Instant Pot Pulled Chicken, Chicken Wings with Dry Rub, Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs, Instant Pot Chicken Wings.
Side Dishes: Oven Roasted Corn, Crispy Smashed Potatoes, Roasted Broccoli with Parmesan, Green Bean Almondine.

Chicken Macaroni Salad in a white bowl.
Chicken Macaroni Salad in a white bowl.
Print Recipe
5 from 12 votes

Chicken Macaroni Salad

This homemade Chicken Macaroni Salad is a classic pasta salad recipe that is packed with vegetables and creamy mayo-based dressing. It will be perfect for lunch, dinner, or a Summer cookout party!
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time10 mins
Total Time30 mins
Course: Dinner, lunch, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 366kcal
Author: Veronika’s Kitchen

Ingredients

Ingredients for Dressing:

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Ingredients for Salad:

  • 8 oz dry elbow pasta
  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast chopped
  • ½ cup red bell pepper chopped
  • ½ cup celery chopped
  • ½ cup carrot grated
  • ⅓ cup green onion chopped

Instructions

  • Cook 8 oz elbow pasta until al dente. When done, drain and rinse under cold water, then let it cool off.
  • While the pasta is cooking, combine 1 cup mayonnaise, 2 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tbsp white wine vinegar, ½ tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp granulated sugar, 1 tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper in a mixing bowl and mix until well combined.
  • In a large mixing bowl, add cooked and cooled elbow pasta, 2 cups cooked and chopped chicken breast, ½ cup chopped red bell pepper, ½ cup chopped celery, ½ cup grated carrots, ⅓ cup chopped green onion. Add the dressing and mix until combined.

Video

Notes

  1. Cook the macaroni al dente. When you drain it, they still should have a bite. If you cook until they are fully cooked and then mix with the salad dressing, they will absorb extra moisture and will become too mushy.
  2. After the pasta is cooked, I like to rinse it under cold water. This extra step helps to stop the cooking process (so the pasta won’t get mushy) and prevent it from sticking.
  3. You can use any cooked chicken you have on hand (boiled, pan seared, baked, or rotisserie).
  4. I like to refrigerate this dish for at least an hour before serving. That will help all the flavors to meld together and absorb the dressing.
  5. You can store it in refrigerator in an air-tight container for up to 3-4 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 366kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 522mg | Potassium: 237mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1725IU | Vitamin C: 13mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to know how it turned out! Please let me know by leaving a review below. Or snap a photo and share it on Instagram; be sure to tag me @veronikaskitchen.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Ken says

    November 12, 2021 at 2:42 pm

    5 stars
    WOW!!!! I added tomatoes and bacon bits.

    Reply
  2. Heidy says

    May 15, 2021 at 7:42 am

    5 stars
    I was very impressed with the flavors in this beautiful recipe and enjoyed it. Thanks for posting specific easy to follow instructions and tips! That made life so much easier. Have a great Sunday!
    Heidy

    Reply
  3. Cooking with Carbs says

    May 15, 2021 at 12:01 am

    5 stars
    I love the idea of a nice macaroni salad for lunch. My kids would love this too and even better that it has so many veggies!

    Reply
  4. Tammy says

    May 14, 2021 at 2:33 pm

    5 stars
    A delicious combo of my two favorite salads! This looks so good and perfect for the weeknights with leftover chicken. Yum!

    Reply
  5. Valya of Valya's Taste of Home says

    May 13, 2021 at 2:01 pm

    5 stars
    Looks very comforing and delicious!

    Reply
  6. Leslie says

    May 13, 2021 at 9:45 am

    5 stars
    Loving this macaroni salad recipe. I especially love that you added chicken and can add bacon! What a fun way to mix it up!

    Reply
  7. GUNJAN C Dudani says

    May 12, 2021 at 10:47 am

    5 stars
    I love macaroni salad and this variation sounds excellent. Its the best summer salad.

    Reply
  8. Veronika Sykorova says

    May 11, 2021 at 11:21 pm

    5 stars
    I love a good pasta salad and this was delicious and really easy to make!

    Reply
  9. Marta says

    May 10, 2021 at 4:44 pm

    5 stars
    I don’t think I have ever put chicken in my macaroni salad and I’m kicking myself for not trying it sooner! This was spectacular!

    Reply
  10. Colleen says

    May 10, 2021 at 4:19 pm

    5 stars
    This salad is a perfect way to use leftover chicken. I would have this for a meal by itself!

    Reply
  11. Gloria says

    May 10, 2021 at 3:35 pm

    5 stars
    Summer is finally (almost) here. I will be making ALL kinds of salads for the patio. This needs to go into my rotation. Sounds super delicious.

    Reply
  12. Bernice says

    May 10, 2021 at 11:25 am

    5 stars
    What a great combination! It’s like chicken salad and pasta salad all at once. I love adding protein to my pasta salads, though I usually add ham. I will give your version a try the next time I have leftover chicken.

    Reply

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