Macaroni and Chicken Salad

Creamy, flavorful, and irresistibly satisfying, this Macaroni and Chicken Salad is the perfect blend of hearty comfort and refreshing crunch. Cooked al dente elbow macaroni forms the base of this crowd-pleasing dish, paired with tender, perfectly seasoned diced chicken breast. Crisp veggies like celery, red bell pepper, and red onion add vibrant color and a delightful crunch, while a creamy dressing made with mayonnaise, sour cream, and Dijon mustard ties it all together with a tangy twist. Finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for brightness, this chilled salad is ideal as a main dish or a versatile side for picnics, BBQs, or quick family dinners. Ready in under an hour and packed with flavor, this recipe serves up six portions of comfort in every bite.

Nutriscore Rating: 66/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 2 pieces chicken breast
• 0.5 cups mayonnaise
• 0.25 cups sour cream
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 pieces celery stalks
• 1 medium red bell pepper
• 0.5 medium red onion
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 0.5 teaspoons garlic powder

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to package instructions until al dente (usually 6-8 minutes). Drain the macaroni, rinse with cold water to stop cooking, and set aside.

Step 2

While the pasta is cooking, heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Season the chicken breasts with 0.5 teaspoons of salt, 0.25 teaspoons of black pepper, and the garlic powder on both sides.

Step 3

Cook the chicken breasts in the skillet for 5-7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Remove from heat and let the chicken cool. Once cool, dice into bite-sized pieces.

Step 4

Finely chop the celery stalks, red bell pepper, and red onion. Roughly chop the parsley.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, the remaining 0.5 teaspoon of salt, and 0.25 teaspoon of black pepper until smooth.

Step 6

Add the cooked macaroni, diced chicken, chopped vegetables, and parsley into the bowl with the dressing. Gently toss everything together until the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.

Step 7

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 8

Serve chilled as a main dish or side. Garnish with additional parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	926.8 grams (926.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2352

Total Fat 127.70g	164%
Saturated Fat 19.90g	99%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.50g
Cholesterol 353mg	118%
Sodium 3882mg	169%
Total Carbohydrate 198.80g	72%
Dietary Fiber 12.70g	45%
Total Sugars 19.50g
Protein 100.80g	202%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 180mg	14%
Iron 10mg	55%
Potassium 1326mg	28%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 49.0%

Protein: 17.2%

Carbs: 33.9%