Both The Foodie Diary and Maple + Mango offer detailed chicken macaroni salad recipes with similar core ingredients Let me break down the key components and variations between these recipes
Ingredients
The basic ingredients for chicken macaroni salad include:
- Macaroni pasta (both recipes use 1 pound/2 cups)
- Cooked chicken (usually 1-3 cups, shredded or chopped)
- Vegetables (commonly celery, carrots, onions)
- Creamy dressing base (mayonnaise)
Vegetables & Add-ins
Both recipes include celery carrots and onions, but The Foodie Diary also suggests
- Sweet pickle relish (1/2 cup)
- Hard-boiled egg (optional)
Maple + Mango includes:
- Red bell pepper
- Corn kernels
- Fresh herbs like parsley and chives
Dressing Components
The Foodie Diary uses:
- Mayonnaise (1 cup)
- Mustard (2 tablespoons, optional)
Maple + Mango uses:
- Mayonnaise (1 cup)
- Sour cream (1/4 cup)
- Dijon mustard (1 tablespoon)
- Apple cider vinegar (1 tablespoon)
- Chicken bouillon powder (1 teaspoon)
Preparation Method
Both recipes follow a similar basic preparation method:
- Cook the macaroni until al dente
- Cool the pasta (rinse under cold water)
- Combine with chicken and vegetables
- Mix the dressing separately
- Combine everything and chill
Tips for Success
Some key tips from both sources:
- Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent soggy salad
- Rinse pasta with cold water after cooking to stop the cooking process
- Chill for at least an hour before serving for best flavor
- Store properly in an airtight container (keeps 3-5 days)
- Make extra dressing to refresh the salad if storing for multiple days
Variations and Customizations
Both recipes emphasize that chicken macaroni salad is highly customizable:
- Different pasta shapes can be substituted
- Various vegetables can be added or substituted
- Different protein options (tuna, chickpeas for vegetarian version)
- Make it healthier by using Greek yogurt for part of the mayonnaise
- Add cheese, bacon, pickles, olives, or sweet elements like grapes/apples
The recipes show chicken macaroni salad is versatile, make-ahead friendly, and perfect for various occasions from quick weeknight dinners to picnics and potlucks.
Best Chicken Macaroni Salad Recipe – Pinoy Style 2023
FAQ
What are the ingredients of chicken macaroni salad?
- 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, diced.
- 4 cups elbow macaroni.
- 4 large eggs.
- 1 cup mayonnaise, or more to taste.
- 4 teaspoons white sugar.
- 4 teaspoons white vinegar.
- 1 teaspoon onion salt.
- 1 teaspoon salt.
What are the ingredients of macaroni salad?
- 16 ounces uncooked elbow macaroni.
- 4 carrots, shredded.
- 1 large red onion, chopped.
- ½ green bell pepper, seeded and chopped.
- ½ red bell pepper, seeded and chopped.
- 1 cup chopped celery.
- 2 cups mayonnaise.
- 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk.
What are the ingredients of chicken salad?
Chicken salad typically contains cooked chicken, mayonnaise (or a similar creamy dressing), celery, and onion.
What goes with chicken macaroni salad?
Sides that pair well; Greek Cucumber Salad, Lemon Feta Orzo, Air Fryer Garlic Bread. Make it a meal and serve with BBQ Chicken Sandwiches, Spicy Chicken Burgers or Juicy Turkey Burgers.
How do you make chicken macaroni salad?
Chicken Macaroni Salad: An easy recipe using pasta, mayo, mustard, seasoned salt, pepper, celery, onion and chicken to create a side dish favorite! Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook elbow macaroni according to package directions.
Is chicken macaroni salad a good side dish?
Macaroni salad is a side dish, but chicken macaroni salad can stand on its own as a complete light meal. This recipe is lighter-tasting and more sophisticated than most pasta salads, with its yogurt-based dressing and its use of fresh peaches and basil. It’s a big-batch salad, suitable for family get-togethers, block parties and potlucks.
Can you eat chicken macaroni salad cold?
Serve the salad cold or at room temperature. Chicken macaroni salad is a timeless classic that brings together the best of flavors and textures in a single dish. You’re going to love serving this because of the compliments you’ll receive.
How do you make a good dressing for macaroni?
Leaving the macaroni a little bit warm, my grandma insists, helps the dressing emulsify and enhances the flavors. Stir together the pasta and the dressing. While the macaroni is still a little warm, add the mayonnaise, sugar, vinegar, mustard, salt, and pepper, until the creamy dressing mixture is smooth. Add veggies.
Does chicken macaroni salad need to be refrigerated?
Combine: Time to toss it all together now! Eat immediately or refrigerate for at least an hour first to help the flavors meld together. How long does chicken macaroni salad last? It will keep in the fridge for up to 3-4 days stored in an airtight container. Don’t leave it out at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
How to make macaroni salad with celery & onion?
Mixing warm macaroni with the vegetables helps bring out the flavor of the celery and onion. Let the salad rest in the refrigerator for a couple of hours, or even over night. This will marry the flavors. This is a good chance to practice your knife skills. Try to cut the celery and onion into equal sized pieces.