Best 5 Easy Chicken Macaroni Salad Recipes

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Indulge in the delectable symphony of flavors with our easy chicken macaroni salad, a delightful summer staple that combines tender chicken, colorful vegetables, and perfectly cooked macaroni, all bound together by a creamy, tangy dressing. This versatile dish offers a symphony of textures and tastes, making it a crowd-pleaser at picnics, potlucks, or backyard barbecues. With variations that include a classic version, a bacon-ranch twist, and a lighter Greek-inspired option, this recipe caters to diverse palates and dietary preferences.

**Classic Chicken Macaroni Salad:**
Savor the timeless flavors of the classic chicken macaroni salad, a nostalgic dish that evokes memories of summer gatherings. Perfectly cooked macaroni, juicy chicken, crisp celery, sweet red onion, and vibrant bell peppers unite in a harmonious blend. The creamy mayonnaise-based dressing, seasoned with mustard, vinegar, and a hint of sweetness, elevates this salad to a culinary masterpiece.

**Bacon-Ranch Chicken Macaroni Salad:**
Craving a more robust flavor profile? Look no further than the bacon-ranch chicken macaroni salad. Crispy bacon adds a smoky, savory dimension, while the creamy ranch dressing, infused with herbs and spices, brings a tangy, herbaceous touch. This salad is sure to be a hit at your next gathering, leaving your guests craving more.

**Greek-Inspired Chicken Macaroni Salad:**
For a lighter, Mediterranean-inspired take on the classic, try the Greek-inspired chicken macaroni salad. Succulent chicken, tender orzo pasta, crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and briny olives come together in a delightful dance of flavors. The tangy Greek yogurt-based dressing, seasoned with lemon juice, fresh herbs, and a touch of garlic, adds a refreshing twist to this summer staple.

No matter your preference, these chicken macaroni salad recipes offer a flavorful journey that will transport your taste buds to culinary heaven. So gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and embark on a culinary adventure that will leave you and your loved ones craving more.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CHICKEN MACARONI SALAD



Chicken Macaroni Salad image

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

2 ½ pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
2 cups macaroni
1 (15 ounce) can mixed vegetables, drained
2 cups shredded lettuce
3 cups mayonnaise
¼ tablespoon dried basil
salt and pepper to taste
1 pinch garlic powder

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

COLD CHICKEN MACARONI SALAD



Cold Chicken Macaroni Salad image

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

2 each skinless, boneless chicken breasts, diced
4 cups elbow macaroni
4 large eggs
1 cup mayonnaise, or more to taste
4 teaspoons white sugar
4 teaspoons white vinegar
1 teaspoon onion salt
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon prepared yellow mustard
1 pinch ground black pepper to taste

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

OLD-FASHIONED CHICKEN MACARONI SALAD



Old-Fashioned Chicken Macaroni Salad image

"My sister gave me the recipe for this creamy pasta salad about 25 years ago," Nola Erbe jots from Lodi, Wisconsin. "It's great to make for watching football games on TV. I serve it with potato chips, celery and pickles.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 25m

Yield 2 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

2/3 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
1/3 cup frozen corn
1 cup cubed cooked chicken
1/4 cup sliced celery
1 hard-boiled large egg, chopped
2 tablespoons chopped green pepper
1 tablespoon chopped onion
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons white vinegar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and rinse in cold water. Cook corn according to package directions; drain and cool. , In a serving bowl, combine the macaroni, corn, chicken, celery, egg, green pepper and onion. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, vinegar, salt and pepper. Pour over salad and stir to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 337 calories, Fat 10g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 175mg cholesterol, Sodium 882mg sodium, Carbohydrate 34g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 28g protein.

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.

SIMPLE RANCH CHICKEN MACARONI SALAD



Simple Ranch Chicken Macaroni Salad image

This is a simple to make recipe with Ranch dressing mix which gives it an extra kick.

Provided by Pamela Batovsky

Categories     Salad     Pasta Salad     Macaroni Salad Recipes

Time 30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 (2.25 ounce) can chopped green olives
¼ cup mayonnaise
¼ cup sour cream
2 tablespoons milk
1 (10 ounce) can chicken chunks, drained
1 (1 ounce) package dry Ranch-style dressing mix
2 teaspoons paprika

Steps:

  • Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the macaroni, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Drain, and pat dry.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together the celery, olives, mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, chicken and Ranch dressing mix. Stir in macaroni until well blended. Refrigerate for 24 hours. Stir, and sprinkle paprika over the top before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 393.2 calories, Carbohydrate 26.3 g, Cholesterol 55.6 mg, Fat 22.4 g, Fiber 1.9 g, Protein 20.3 g, SaturatedFat 5.5 g, Sodium 1318 mg, Sugar 1.2 g

Tips for Making Chicken Macaroni Salad:

  • Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make a big difference in the taste of your salad. Choose a good-quality mayonnaise, tangy mustard, and crisp celery and carrots.
  • Cook the macaroni al dente: The macaroni should be cooked to a slightly firm texture, so that it can hold its shape in the salad.
  • Shred the chicken into small pieces: This will help to distribute the chicken evenly throughout the salad.
  • Add some crunch: Celery, carrots, and chopped nuts are all great additions to chicken macaroni salad. They add texture and flavor to the dish.
  • Use a light hand with the dressing: You don't want the salad to be too mayonnaise-heavy. A little bit of dressing goes a long way.
  • Season to taste: Add salt and pepper to taste. You may also want to add a pinch of garlic powder or onion powder.
  • Chill the salad before serving:This will help the flavors to meld and the salad will be more refreshing.

Conclusion:

Chicken macaroni salad is a classic dish that is perfect for potlucks, picnics, and summer cookouts. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste. Experiment with different ingredients and dressings to create a salad that you and your family will love.

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