Macaroni Chicken Salad

Creamy, satisfying, and packed with flavor, this Macaroni Chicken Salad is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for potlucks, picnics, or weeknight dinners. Featuring tender elbow macaroni, juicy shredded chicken, and a colorful medley of crisp celery, sweet red bell peppers, and grated carrots, this recipe delivers the perfect balance of textures and tastes. The rich, tangy dressing—made with mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, and a touch of sweet pickle relish—brings a creamy and zesty kick, while a splash of fresh lemon juice brightens every bite. Garnished with optional paprika and parsley, this chilled salad is not only easy to prepare in under 30 minutes but also irresistibly delicious. Whether you're planning a backyard barbecue or meal prepping for the week, this macaroni chicken salad will be your go-to recipe for a refreshing and protein-packed dish! Keywords: macaroni chicken salad, creamy pasta salad, shredded chicken recipes, picnic salad ideas.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 cups elbow macaroni
• 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced)
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 0.5 cup sour cream
• 0.75 cup celery (chopped)
• 0.5 cup carrot (grated)
• 0.5 cup red bell pepper (diced)
• 0.25 cup green onions (chopped)
• 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.25 teaspoon paprika (optional, for garnish)
• 2 tablespoons parsley (chopped, optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the elbow macaroni according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool the macaroni quickly. Set aside.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, sweet pickle relish, salt, and black pepper. Whisk together until the dressing is smooth and well combined.

Step 3

Add the shredded or diced cooked chicken, chopped celery, grated carrot, diced red bell pepper, and green onions to the bowl with the dressing. Stir to coat the ingredients evenly.

Step 4

Fold the cooled macaroni into the bowl, ensuring it is well combined with the dressing and other ingredients.

Step 5

Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt or pepper if needed.

Step 6

Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld together.

Step 7

Before serving, garnish with a sprinkling of paprika and chopped parsley, if desired.

Step 8

Serve chilled and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1448.1 grams (1448.1g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3704

Total Fat 220.30g	282%
Saturated Fat 36.20g	181%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 698mg	233%
Sodium 4148mg	180%
Total Carbohydrate 239.30g	87%
Dietary Fiber 15.90g	57%
Total Sugars 33.20g
Protein 184.40g	369%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 343mg	26%
Iron 14mg	79%
Potassium 2248mg	48%

*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: 53.9%

Protein: 20.1%

Carbs: 26.0%