The ManicaPost
Cook Time: 10minutes minutes
Total Time: 35minutes minutes
Servings: eight
Ingredients:
Salad dressing ingredients:
1 1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tbsp dijon mustard
1/4 cup sweet relish
Pasta salad ingredients:
3 1/2 cups dry macaroni pasta
2 chunk chicken breast
3 hard-boiled eggs diced
2 stalks of celery diced
1 medium-sized red bell pepper diced
5 green onions chopped
1 small red onion diced
Parsley flakes optional
Paprika optional:
Making this chicken pasta salad recipe is almost way TOO easy, and it really only takes a few minutes once the pasta is cooked.
Here is how to assemble this classic pasta salad recipe:
First, cook the dried pasta according to the package directions.
Slightly undercook the pasta by a minute or two, so it won’t become mushy when mixed in with the creamy dressing.
While the pasta is cooking, mix the mayo-based dressing using the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, relish, and seasonings.
Next, add all your mix-ins.
My chicken, vegetables, and eggs are diced into small pieces so they mix well with the salad dressing.
Next, add the pasta.
You do not want to add hot pasta to a mayo-based dressing, so make sure to rinse the pasta with cold water before adding it to the chicken salad mixture.
Finally, mix everything together (make sure you use a large mixing bowl—you’ll need the room!) until well combined.
At this point, do a taste test to see if you want to add any more seasoning (like salt, black pepper, or even some garlic powder).
I transfer the macaroni salad into a casserole dish, then refrigerate it for about three hours until it is nice and cold.
Can I make macaroni chicken salad ahead of time?
You certainly can make this a day or so ahead of time, but I will not recommend making it much earlier than that!
The mayo dressing will soak into the pasta, which will definitely help flavour the pasta, but could also leave the salad feeling a bit dry after a day or so.
This cold pasta salad recipe is best served the day of after a short stay in the fridge!
How long does chicken macaroni salad last?
A creamy macaroni salad should last three to four days in the fridge.
Store the pasta salad in an airtight container or tightly covered with plastic wrap or tin foil.
If the dressing starts to separate, it will degrade sooner, so keep an eye on those leftovers before diggin’ back in.
Can you freeze chicken macaroni salad?
You should not freeze this creamy macaroni salad because multiple ingredients don’t freeze well.
Fresh veggies, the mayo dressing, and cooked pasta change textures after being frozen.
Again, this creamy chicken macaroni salad is best served the same day it’s made.
What can you eat/serve macaroni salad with?
This chicken macaroni salad is perfect as a side dish or a main dish.
What goes best with a creamy macaroni salad?
Hamburgers or hot dogs, especially grilled. – Online.
