Easy Chicken Macaroni Salad Recipe

This recipe can be on your table for any celebration.

What Is Chicken Macaroni Salad?

A classic and festive dish like chicken macaroni salad should be the star of your dining table. This easy yet delightful recipe combines the comforting texture of pasta with the wholesome flavors of chicken, ensuring that each spoonful is packed with a balanced mix of macaroni and chicken chunks.

Enhanced by the addition of sweet pineapples, juicy raisins, and crisp carrots and onions, this salad is bound together with a creamy dressing made from a Lady’s Choice Mayonnaise (available here) and cheese. Its creamy texture, rich flavor, and the contrast between the tender pasta and crunchy veggies make it a delicious choice that serves perfectly as a side or a light main course.

To elevate its presentation, consider garnishing with a garland of fresh lettuce leaves, adding a touch of vibrancy and freshness to this already flavorful dish. Whether you’re looking to impress guests or simply enjoy a refreshing meal, this chicken macaroni salad is sure to satisfy.

How to Serve Chicken Macaroni Salad

Chicken macaroni salad makes a great merienda dish, and it’s also commonly served as an appetizer or a side dish during Christmas or New Year’s dinner! Here are other ways to serve it.

Make it into a light lunch or dinner: The macaroni in this salad can make the chicken macaroni salad a hearty meal, and it’s even complete with proteins and fiber as it also has chicken and veggies.

Serve it with grilled meats: Having a barbecue? Serve chicken macaroni salad on the side! It’s a refreshing side dish that will complement your grilled meats, like this inihaw na liempo, sriracha pork barbecue, or beer-marinated grilled chicken.

Serve it in small bowls or individual disposable cups in potlucks: While it’s not exactly finger food, this chicken macaroni salad can be served in small cups when you’re serving it in a party! It’s easy to clean up and everyone can get as little or as much they want.

How to Cook Chicken Macaroni Salad

Tips To Make Easy Chicken Macaroni Salad

1. Choose the right pasta.

Opt for elbow macaroni or other small pasta shapes that can easily hold onto the creamy dressing. Salad macaroni and fusilli pasta are excellent substitutes; while we are fond of shell-shaped pasta too, we do not recommend these as too much dressing may pool inside the shell.

2. Feel free to add crunch and color.

Want to add more veggies? You can incorporate a variety of vegetables like celery, bell peppers, and red onions for added crunch and vibrancy.

3. Use quality chicken.

Whether you’re cooking the chicken yourself or using rotisserie chicken, ensure it’s well-seasoned and tender. The chicken contributes a lot of flavor to the salad, so making sure it’s delicious will improve the overall taste of your dish!

3. Chill before serving.

Allowing the salad to chill in the refrigerator for a few hours will enable the flavors to develop more fully. Plus, this salad is best served chilled!

Chicken Macaroni Salad Storage Tips

1. Refrigerate your chicken macaroni salad.

This chicken macaroni salad keeps well, and can be chilled for a week (if it doesn’t get finished sooner)! It’s also best served chilled, so you can eat it straight from the refrigerator any time you’re hankering for a light snack.

2. Do not freeze the chicken macaroni salad.

The chicken macaroni salad can’t really be reheated because it’s already been tossed in the dressing, so it’s best to keep it in the refrigerator. If you want to make parts of this dish ahead, however, you can cook the chicken, freeze it, and thaw it when you’re ready to put the salad together!