Indulge in a delightful culinary journey with Cindy's Chicken Macaroni Salad, a harmonious blend of classic flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. This beloved dish combines tender chicken, al dente macaroni, crisp celery, sweet red onion, and a creamy, tangy dressing that brings it all together. Perfect for potlucks, summer gatherings, or a quick and easy weeknight meal, this versatile salad offers a symphony of textures and flavors that will leave you craving more. Elevate your culinary skills with our curated collection of recipes, ranging from the classic mayonnaise-based dressing to a lighter yogurt-based variation. Discover the secrets to crafting the perfect macaroni salad, ensuring each bite is a celebration of freshness and flavor.
Let's cook with our recipes!
CHICKEN MACARONI SALAD
A macaroni salad with a twist- chicken! You may need to adjust the amount of mayonnaise once it spends some time in the refrigerator.
Provided by purple
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Macaroni Salad Recipes
Time 4h
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook chicken until no longer pink and juices run clear. Let rest until cool enough to handle, then shred with two forks. Set aside 4 cups of shredded meat.
- In a medium pot with boiling salted water cook elbow macaroni until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl mix together the cooked chicken, drained vegetables, shredded lettuce, and mayonnaise. Add basil, pepper, salt, and garlic powder to taste.
- Add drained elbow macaroni to chicken mixture. Toss to coat.
- Refrigerate for several hours before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 699.1 calories, Carbohydrate 21.7 g, Cholesterol 91 mg, Fat 54.4 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 30.6 g, SaturatedFat 8.3 g, Sodium 544.5 mg, Sugar 1.2 g
CHICKEN AND BACON MACARONI SALAD
This hearty pasta salad can double as a side or main dish. The addition of bacon and chicken make the macaroni salad. It may have simple ingredients, but the combination of flavors is perfect. Definitely prepare this ahead of time so there is time to chill. Once the flavors mingle together for a bit, the salad is even better.
Provided by Sue Faccone
Categories Other Salads
Time 1h
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- 1. Fry bacon until crispy and put on a plate with paper towels to drain off the grease. Put aside.
- 2. Hard boil 6 eggs, about 7 minutes. Then peel under cold water and slice into pieces. Put aside.
- 3. Boil macaroni until soft. Add some oil and salt to the water prior to boiling. Removed and put in a colander to drain. Rinse with cold water until cool. Drain again and put in a large bowl.
- 4. Open can of chicken breast and flake (leftover chicken is also good for this recipe). Add the eggs and chicken to the macaroni mixture.
- 5. Crumble the bacon and add to the mix.
- 6. Cut the tomatoes into cubes and add to the macaroni.
- 7. Cut the onion into tiny diced pieces and add to the mix.
- 8. Season with garlic powder, parsley flakes, kosher salt and seasoned pepper (salt and pepper to taste).
- 9. Mix well until everything is combined evenly. Fold in the chopped hard boiled eggs.
- 10. Add mayonnaise. I start with a cup and mix to coat the entire mixture.
- 11. Then add around a half a cup as needed from there on until it is the consistency I like.
- 12. Once everything is mixed sprinkle paprika on top for color.
- 13. Refrigerate. It is best when it is allowed to get really cold. Enjoy!
COLD CHICKEN MACARONI SALAD
Cold macaroni salad meets chicken salad... good recipe for leftovers. If you want more flavor add in your favorite fruit, veggie, or whatnot--such as celery, grapes, or frozen green peas. Happy eating.
Provided by Lori Roper
Categories Salad 100+ Pasta Salad Recipes Macaroni Salad Recipes
Time 1h35m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add chicken; continue to boil until no longer pink in the middle, 15 to 20 minutes. Let sit until cool enough to handle, then dice into small bite-sized pieces.
- While chicken cooks, bring a second large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and rinse under cool water.
- At the same time, place eggs in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil, remove from heat, and let eggs stand in hot water for 15 minutes. Remove eggs from hot water, cool under cold running water, and peel.
- Mix mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, onion salt, salt, mustard, and pepper together in a large bowl. Mix in eggs, pasta, and chicken, adding a little more mayonnaise if too dry. Chill for 1 hour, to overnight.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 468.5 calories, Carbohydrate 42.5 g, Cholesterol 119.6 mg, Fat 25.8 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 16.2 g, SaturatedFat 4.4 g, Sodium 733 mg, Sugar 4 g
SHRIMP AND CRAB MACARONI SALAD
This salad is a summertime staple in our house. If you want to splurge, go ahead and use real crab. -Darla Andrews, Boerne, Texas
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch Side Dishes
Time 20m
Yield 9 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and rinse with cold water. Cool completely., For dressing, in a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, mustard, sugar, Old Bay, garlic powder, salt and pepper. In a large bowl, combine crabmeat, shrimp, cucumber and macaroni. Add dressing; gently toss to coat. Refrigerate until serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 269 calories, Fat 19g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 33mg cholesterol, Sodium 552mg sodium, Carbohydrate 17g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 8g protein.
Tips:
- For the best macaroni salad, use a high-quality mayonnaise. Homemade mayonnaise is ideal, but a good store-bought mayonnaise will also work.
- Cook the macaroni according to the package directions. Be sure to drain it well and rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Chop the vegetables and chicken into small pieces. This will help them to evenly distribute throughout the salad.
- Add the vegetables, chicken, and macaroni to a large bowl. Toss them together gently to combine.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
- Cover the salad and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes before serving. This will allow the flavors to meld together.
- Serve the macaroni salad chilled. It is a great side dish for potlucks, picnics, and barbecues.
Conclusion:
Cindy's Chicken Macaroni Salad is a classic summer dish that is always a hit at potlucks and picnics. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With its creamy dressing, tender chicken, and crunchy vegetables, this salad is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
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