Creamy Chicken Macaroni Salad Recipe

Close-up of a scoop of chicken macaroni salad.

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Creamy Chicken Macaroni Salad Recipe

My creamy chicken and macaroni salad is the star of every potluck I go to! This chilled dish comes together fast with leftover chicken and a yummy dressing.

Prep Time15

Cook Time10

Chill Time1

Total Time1 25

Course: lunch, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 592kcal

Author: Becky Hardin

Equipment

Dutch Oven or Large Pot

Ingredients

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni *
2 cups chopped cooked chicken **
¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup diced celery
½ cup diced red bell pepper
¼ cup carrots julienned and chopped

For the Dressing:

1 cup mayonnaise ***
¼ cup sour cream ****
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon paprika

Instructions

Cook macaroni according to package directions. Then drain and set aside.
2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
To make the dressing: Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, dijon mustard, honey, salt, and paprika. Whisk until smooth and creamy. Set aside for now.
1 cup mayonnaise, ¼ cup sour cream, 1 tablespoon dijon mustard, 1 tablespoon honey, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon paprika
Add the cooked macaroni, chicken, shredded cheese, celery, bell pepper, and carrots to a large bowl.
2 cups chopped cooked chicken, ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese, ½ cup diced celery, ½ cup diced red bell pepper, ¼ cup carrots
Pour the dressing over the macaroni mixture and stir together until evenly combined. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Notes

*Small pasta shells or ditalini are good substitutes that hold the dressing nicely.

**Any leftover/cooked chicken works well in this recipe. Use diced chicken breast, shredded chicken, store-bought rotisserie chicken, canned chicken, or whatever you have on hand.

***A light mayonnaise can be used, though the salad will be slightly less rich.

****Plain Greek yogurt can be used for a tangier flavor.

Becky's Top Tips:

Rinse the pasta briefly. Cooling the macaroni quickly prevents overcooking and helps the dressing cling better.
Dice ingredients evenly. Uniform pieces create a better texture and more balanced bites.
Chill before serving. Resting time allows the flavors to meld and the dressing to thicken slightly.
Season after chilling. Cold temperatures mute seasoning, so taste and adjust just before serving.
Expect thickening over time. This is normal for creamy pasta salads and easily fixed with a splash of milk (usually 1-2 tablespoons does the trick).
Serve cold. This salad is best enjoyed chilled.

Storage: Store the salad covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir before serving. If the salad thickens as it sits, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk to loosen the dressing and restore creaminess.

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