Chicken macaroni salad is a delicious and easy-to-prepare dish that can be enjoyed as a main meal or as a side dish. It is a popular dish made with cooked chicken, macaroni pasta, and a variety of other ingredients. It is typically served chilled and makes for a refreshing and flavorful salad option. It is a delightful and satisfying dish that brings together tender chunks of cooked chicken, al dente macaroni pasta, and an array of fresh ingredients.
The salad bursts with flavors and textures, as crunchy celery, vibrant bell peppers, and zesty onions add a refreshing crunch. The chicken, whether grilled, boiled, or baked, offers a savory protein element to the salad. A creamy and tangy dressing, typically made with mayonnaise, sugar, and seasonings, coats the macaroni and chicken, enveloping them in a luscious coating. The dressing can be customized with additional ingredients like raisins, pineapple juice, pickle relish, or herbs to elevate the taste. Optional additions such as hard-boiled eggs, sweet pickles, or cheese cubes further enhance the salad, providing extra bursts of flavor and textures.
After a thorough mixing, the salad is chilled, allowing the flavors to meld together and intensify. Served cold, this chicken macaroni salad is a perfect accompaniment to any gathering or occasions like Holiday Seasons, Christmas Noche Buena, New Year, Birthday, Fiesta, Thanksgiving, etc., offering a delightful combination of creamy, savory, and fresh elements that will surely please the taste buds.
Chicken Macaroni Salad Nutritional Facts
The nutritional content of chicken macaroni salad can vary depending on the specific recipe and the portion size. Here is an approximate nutritional breakdown for a serving of chicken macaroni salad made with macaroni pasta, chicken, mayonnaise, and vegetables:
- Calories: 300-400
- Protein: 15-20 grams
- Fat: 10-20 grams (depending on the type and amount of mayonnaise used)
- Carbohydrates: 30-40 grams (depending on the portion size and type of pasta used)
- Fiber: 3-5 grams
- Sodium: 200-400 mg (depending on the type and amount of seasoning used)
Chicken is a good source of protein, while pasta provides carbohydrates for energy. Vegetables such as celery, onion, and carrots can add vitamins and minerals to the dish. Mayonnaise can be a source of fat, so using a light or low-fat version can reduce the overall calorie and fat content of the salad. To make the dish healthier, consider using whole grain pasta, reducing the amount of mayonnaise used, and increasing the amount of vegetables in the recipe.
How To Cook Chicken Macaroni Salad?
Here’s my simple and classic recipe to make chicken macaroni salad:
Ingredients
- 1 chicken breast
- 250g macaroni salad
- 1pack (470ml) mayonnaise
- 1 big carrots
- 100g pickle relish
- 200g pineapple tidbits
- 50g raisins
Instructions
- Boil chicken breast until tender and shred.
- Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to cool.
- Boil carrots for few minutes and chop into cubes.
- In a large bowl, combine the mayonnaise, shredded chicken, pickle relish, raisins, pineapple tidbits and carrots.
- Add the cooked macaroni salad and mix them well. You can add small amount of sugar to balance the taste.
- Cover and chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
You can adjust the ingredients to your liking by adding or removing vegetables, or increasing or decreasing the amount of dressing. You can also add other ingredients such as chopped hard-boiled eggs, diced apples, onion and bell pepper to give it a different flavor.
