A creamy flavorful cold chicken macaroni salad, that’s perfect for picnics, cookouts, and other gatherings!
A Simple Cold Chicken Macaroni Salad Recipe!
Hey friends! I have the most amazing macaroni salad recipe for you to try! I’m going to show you how I make my infamous cold chicken macaroni salad. This pasta salad recipe is super easy to whip together, and it’s extremely budget friendly. I usually use canned chicken for this recipe, but feel free to use any leftover chicken that you may have.
Also, you can replace the chicken, and use canned tuna if you’d like a tuna macaroni salad instead.
While you’re here, check out some of my other macaroni salad recipes!
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Check out my video tutorial for this amazing cold chicken macaroni salad!
Cold Chicken Macaroni Salad
A creamy flavorful cold chicken macaroni salad, this recipe is sure to please crowds at family gatherings, cookouts, and parties!
Servings 8 servings
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups of macaroni pasta I used cavatappi
- 2 12.5 oz cans of chunk chicken breast
- 3 boiled eggs
- 1 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup sweet relish
- 1/4 dill relish
- 2 stalks of celery diced
- 1 medium sized red bell pepper diced
- 5 green onions chopped
- 1 small red onion diced
- 1 tbsp salt free seasoning Mrs Dash or generic
- Parsley flakes optional
- Paprika optional
Instructions
- Boil the pasta until al dente', then drain.
- Dice, or crumble the boiled eggs, then set to the side.
- Grab a large bowl, then add in the mayonnaise, dijion, and relish.
- Mix, until well combined.
- Next add in the diced peppers, onions, celery, chicken, and eggs.
- Fold the ingredients.
- Now add in the pasta, and fold.
- Once everything is well combined, transfer the chicken macaroni salad to a refrigerator safe dish, and cover.
- Place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
- Remove from the refrigerator, and sprinkle parsley flakes and paprika on top (optional).
- Serve and enjoy!
Sounds delicious Rosie. I admit to enjoying all your recipes that I have tried!
Thank you and God bless you and yours!
Thanks so much Shell!! May God bless you as well! XOXO
Rosie what kind of Mrs dash do you use? And the Dijon mustard is it spicey? And last can we skip green onion?
Hello! I use regular dijon mustard, not the spicy. The original Mrs. Dash, and yes you can skip the green onion.
Looks so yummy! I love traditional macaroni salad so adding a little protein definitely makes this a true meal!
Hi Chenille! I agree, this can definitely be a meal ( with a little side salad!) 😀
I love salads and this one looks fantastic. I’ve always used tuna, but the chicken will be a nice alternative. I love COSTCO! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Kim! I love Costco as well!! XOXO
Perfect recipe for summer potlucks and picnics. Love canned chicken and tuna from Costco! Pinned. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Mary! Absolutely! This salad is perfect for any occasion 😀
This salad was Delicious! Thank you!
Hi Denise! I’m glad that you tried, and liked my recipe.
I love your page!!! My family are “dump” cooks and never know measurements, so I was so happy to find your page where there you give the entire recipe.
Thanks again for sharing your amazing recipes!
God bless you! xoxoxo! 😉
I’m glad that you found my blog!
I love macaroni salads but I have to say this is the best one I have ever made, thank you so much for a your recipes, love all the one’s I have made. Hope you have a beautiful blessed week!
Hi Patsy! I’m glad that you liked my recipe! Have a wonderful 4th!
Hi Rosie love your foods and all kinds of your recipes. Thank you for sharing . All your foods are so delicious and yummy !! Again thank you .
Thanks Chialy!
Hey Rosie, if I wanted to triple this recipe do I just add the ingredients times 3?
Yes 🙂
This recipe was amazing ! My husband is such a picky eater (hates relish and boiled eggs) but he had NO PROBLEM eating this recipe!! (Without him knowing the ingredients till after he had a plate of course , lol!)
Love to make different salads for special occasions and at home
Hi Rosie , this looks delish I must try it. And you are so beautiful.
Hi there! Thanks so much Cera!
Holy crap!!! This is amazing! I followed the instructions but used vegan versions of everything (Hellman’s mayo, Morningstar chicken strips, and no egg). This is the best macaroni salad I’ve ever had hands down!
THANKS!
Eric
Absolutely delicious! This is my new favorite macaroni salad.
can you use any kind of macaroni
Sure can 🙂
The picture shows what looks like black olives? Did you add them?
I think you’re looking at the seafood macaroni salad that’s featured under the recipe?
Hi Rosie!
I saw your chicken macaroni salad recipe and wanted to give it a try, it’s delicious!!! Definitely a game changer from the tuna macaroni salad that I usually make, thank you for sharing
I made this recipe yesterday.
THIS IS THE BEST MACARONI SALAD I HAVE EVER TASTED
Trying this meal too night. Thank you!!!!
I love the ideas in your salad and am definitely going to try it soon! Being a Wisconsin girl, I’ll be adding a big heaping dose of cheddar cheese to it – it can only make it better! Thanks for the recipe and ideas – this sounds so great!
I made this chicken salad about 2 yrs ago and everyone loved it. My cousin who had not been eating due to a death came back to get more. I have been using your recipes to elevate my cooking skills for years now. Thanks for your wonderful recipes.
Hi Rosie,
Is that three and 1/2 cups of macaroni dry and before it’s cooked? And if that’s the amount already cooked, how many cups of dry do I use to get that? Thanks
Hi Annie! The amount is uncooked macaroni 😉
Rosie, thanks for answering my silly question yesterday, but unfortunately, I have another one:
Can I cook the macaroni the day before it will be eaten then travel with it in my car then mix it with all the other ingredients that evening? (I will be in a situation where cooking it after I arrive may be an issue.) Should I do anything special to it so it will travel well so it won’t stick together or become mushy – like maybe add some of the dressing??
……….Or, should I just CHANGE what I’m taking altogether?!? Ha!
Thanks Rosie, and I love your website.
Hey there Annie! You can actually make the whole salad the day before. I wouldn’t just cook the pasta the day before, because the pasta will still together.