Best 8 Chicken Taco Macaroni Salad Recipes

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**Chicken Taco Macaroni Salad: A Flavorful Fusion of Mexican and American Classics**

Indulge in the tantalizing fusion of Mexican and American flavors with our Chicken Taco Macaroni Salad, a delightful dish that combines the best of both worlds. This unique salad features tender chicken, taco seasoning, and a creamy macaroni salad base, topped with a medley of colorful vegetables and a zesty dressing. With its vibrant colors and irresistible taste, this dish is sure to be a hit at your next potluck or backyard barbecue. But that's not all! This article offers a collection of equally enticing recipes that will satisfy your cravings for a variety of dishes, from a refreshing Cucumber Salad with Dill to a hearty Italian Sausage and Peppers Skillet. So, get ready to embark on a culinary adventure with our diverse selection of recipes, starting with the irresistible Chicken Taco Macaroni Salad.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

CHICKEN TACO MACARONI SALAD



Chicken Taco Macaroni Salad image

I like to give macaroni salad a taco twist. Rotisserie chicken makes it quick. I'll often serve this dish as a main course since it's so hearty. -Lisa Allen, Joppa, Alabama

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 20m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium taco seasoning
2 teaspoons sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 cups cubed rotisserie chicken
1 small sweet yellow or orange pepper, chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
fresh cilantro leaves, optional

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and rinse with cold water. Cool completely., For dressing, in a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, taco seasoning, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper. In a large bowl, combine chicken, peppers and macaroni. Add dressing; gently toss to coat. Refrigerate until serving. Top with cilantro if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 328 calories, Fat 23g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 33mg cholesterol, Sodium 369mg sodium, Carbohydrate 17g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 13g protein.

CHICKEN TACO PASTA SALAD



Chicken Taco Pasta Salad image

Make and share this Chicken Taco Pasta Salad recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Impera_Magna

Categories     Chicken

Time 30m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

12 ounces pasta, uncooked (bowtie or spiral)
1/2 cup Miracle Whip
1 (1 1/4 ounce) packet taco seasoning mix
3/4 cup medium chunky salsa
1 (2 1/4 ounce) can sliced pitted black olives, drained
1 cup shredded colby-monterey jack cheese
1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cooked, cut into strips

Steps:

  • Cook pasta as directed on package.
  • Mix dressing, seasoning and salsa in large bowl. Add drained pasta and all remaining ingredients; mix lightly.
  • Serve immediately. Or, cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or until chilled.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 427.5, Fat 9.2, SaturatedFat 4.3, Cholesterol 82.6, Sodium 464.5, Carbohydrate 45.4, Fiber 2.7, Sugar 2.1, Protein 38.8

CHICKEN TACO SALAD



Chicken Taco Salad image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 8-inch flour tortillas, quartered and sliced into strips
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/4 teaspoons grated lime zest, plus the juice of 2 limes
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup frozen fire-roasted corn, thawed
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped pickled jalapenos, plus 2 tablespoons brine
1/2 head iceberg lettuce, shredded (about 8 cups)
2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (skin removed; about 10 ounces)
1 small avocado, chopped
1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese (about 4 ounces)

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Toss the tortilla strips with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, 1/2 teaspoon lime zest, a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper in a medium bowl; spread in a single layer on the prepared pan. Bake, stirring halfway through, until browned and crisp, 10 to 12 minutes; let cool.
  • Meanwhile, toss the beans, corn, tomatoes, pickled jalapenos and brine, the remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil and 3/4 teaspoon lime zest, the lime juice, 3/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a medium bowl. Let sit, tossing occasionally, until juicy, about 10 minutes.
  • Divide the lettuce among 4 bowls and top with the bean mixture and juices, chicken, avocado, cheese and tortilla strips.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 560, Fat 35 grams, SaturatedFat 11 grams, Cholesterol 60 milligrams, Sodium 1404 milligrams, Carbohydrate 48 grams, Fiber 12 grams, Protein 28 grams, Sugar 8 grams

CHICKEN TACO SALAD



Chicken Taco Salad image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 16m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons taco seasoning (store-bought or your own mix)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup ranch dressing (bottled is fine)
1/4 cup salsa (as spicy as you'd like)
3 tablespoons finely minced fresh cilantro
2 ears corn, shucked
1 large head or 2 regular heads green leaf lettuce, shredded thin
3 Roma tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup grated pepper-jack cheese
2 avocados, diced
3 green onions, sliced
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
Tortilla chips of your choice (flavored or not), crushed slightly, for topping salad

Steps:

  • For the chicken: Generously sprinkle both sides of the breasts with the taco seasoning. Heat the oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken on both sides until deep golden brown on the outside and done in the middle (or to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F), about 4 minutes per side. Set aside to cool for 5 minutes.
  • For the dressing: While the chicken is cooking, pour the ranch dressing into a bowl. Add the salsa and cilantro and stir to combine.
  • For the salad: Next, place the ears of corn in the skillet you used to cook the chicken and roll them around so that the flavorful oil/butter mixture coats the corn. Grill on a grill pan or cook in a separate skillet until the corn is still crisp but has color on the outside. Slice off the kernels with a sharp knife and set aside. Dice the chicken into cubes.
  • On a platter, layer the shredded lettuce, diced chicken, tomatoes, cheese, corn, avocados, green onions, cilantro and crushed chips. Drizzle the dressing all over the top, saving some to serve on the side if you'd like. Serve the salad in individual bowls.

CHICKEN TACO PASTA



Chicken Taco Pasta image

Make and share this Chicken Taco Pasta recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Charmie777

Categories     Chicken Breast

Time 20m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

16 ounces pasta (of your choice)
3 cups cubed cooked chicken or 3 cups cooked turkey
1 teaspoon minced garlic
3 teaspoons olive oil
1 cup half-and-half
5 -6 teaspoons taco seasoning
2 tablespoons butter
parmesan cheese, to taste

Steps:

  • Cook pasta according to package directions.
  • Meanwhlie, in a large skillet heat the chicken with the garlic in oive oil for 4-5 minutes or until heated through.
  • Stir in the half-and-half, taco seasoning and butter.
  • Cook until just heated. Season to taste with salt and pepper (none may be required cuz of the taco seasoning.) Add drained, cooked pasta and toss.
  • Serve with grated parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 507.2, Fat 16.5, SaturatedFat 7.1, Cholesterol 77.6, Sodium 166.9, Carbohydrate 59, Fiber 2.6, Sugar 2.2, Protein 28.7

SUMMER CHICKEN MACARONI SALAD



Summer Chicken Macaroni Salad image

For sunny, lazy days, I make a loaded macaroni salad that's like three salads in one. The mix of fresh veggies, sweet peaches and crunchy pistachios is a surprisingly delicious combo. -Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 25m

Yield 16 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 15

1-1/2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 rotisserie chicken, skin removed, shredded
3/4 cup fresh or frozen peas
5 green onions, finely chopped
2 celery ribs, thinly sliced
1/3 cup loosely packed basil leaves, thinly sliced
1/4 cup lemon juice, divided
1 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
3/4 cup plain yogurt
3/4 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
3 medium peaches, peeled and sliced
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
3/4 cup pistachios

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions. Meanwhile, mix chicken, peas, onions, celery, basil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, salt and pepper. Drain macaroni; rinse with cold water, then drain again. Add to chicken mixture., Mix yogurt, mayonnaise and remaining lemon juice. Add to salad and mix well. Add peaches and cheeses; toss gently. Refrigerate at least 2 hours. Sprinkle with pistachios before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 312 calories, Fat 16g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 85mg cholesterol, Sodium 379mg sodium, Carbohydrate 13g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 29g protein.

CHICKEN CAESAR MACARONI SALAD



Chicken Caesar Macaroni Salad image

Give me a Caesar salad anytime, no matter what form it's in. I like to add some chicken and artichokes to make this Caesar macaroni salad a little more hearty. -Shawn Barto, Palmetto, Florida

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 20m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Italian salad dressing mix
2 teaspoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup chopped rotisserie chicken
1 can (14 ounces) water-packed artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons capers, drained
Caesar salad croutons, optional

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and rinse with cold water. Cool completely., For dressing, in a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, dressing mix, sugar, salt and pepper. In a large bowl, combine chicken, artichokes, Parmesan, capers and macaroni. Add dressing and toss gently to coat. , Refrigerate until serving. Top with croutons and additional capers if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 318 calories, Fat 22g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 20mg cholesterol, Sodium 692mg sodium, Carbohydrate 19g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 10g protein.

TACO MACARONI SALAD



Taco Macaroni Salad image

Make and share this Taco Macaroni Salad recipe from Food.com.

Provided by ratherbeswimmin

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 36m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 cups uncooked corkscrew macaroni
1 lb ground round
1 (1 1/4 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
1/2 cup French dressing
1/2 head lettuce, shredded
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Prepare macaroni according to package directions; rinse, drain, and chill for 1 hour.
  • In a skillet, crumble and cook the ground round until browned; drain.
  • Add in the taco seasoning and French salad dressing; stir to combine; let cool.
  • In a large bowl, add the macaroni, ground beef mixture, and remaining ingredients; stir to combine.
  • Serve immediately.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients for the best flavor. This means using fresh chicken, crisp vegetables, and a flavorful dressing.
  • Cook the chicken thoroughly to ensure that it is safe to eat. Chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Use a variety of vegetables in your salad for a colorful and nutritious dish. Some good options include bell peppers, onions, corn, and black beans.
  • Make sure the dressing is well-balanced. It should not be too sweet, too sour, or too oily.
  • Serve the salad immediately after it is made to enjoy the best flavor and texture.

Conclusion:

Chicken taco macaroni salad is a quick and easy meal that is perfect for potlucks, picnics, and parties. It is a versatile dish that can be customized to your liking. With a few simple tips, you can make a delicious and flavorful chicken taco macaroni salad that everyone will enjoy.

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