Macaroni Chicken Salad
This macaroni chicken salad makes a great side dish that’s perfect for parties. In this easy recipe, tender chicken and crispy apples are combined with elbow macaroni and covered with a homemade dressing.
Servings 8
Calories 414kcal
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Elbow Macaroni cooked to package directions, drained, and cooled (other short pasta can also be used)
- 8 ounces Cooked Chicken skinless, boneless, cubed, and chilled
- ¼ cup Finely Diced Celery plus 1-2 teaspoons for garnish if desired
- 2 tablespoons Finely Diced Onion use white, red, or yellow onion
- 1¼ cup Mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Dijon Mustard or yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon Sweet Pickle Relish
- 1 tablespoon Sugar
- 1 tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar or red wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon Salt plus 1-2 tablespoons for the macaroni cooking water (and extra at the end if needed)
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 Apple peeled, cored, and diced
- 1-2 teaspoons Chopped Parsley for garnish optional
Instructions
- Cook macaroni to package directions for “firm”. Go a little past al dente but not totally soft. Use a colander to drain it and then immediately run them under cold water until they are cool.
- Drain the pasta well and transfer it to a bowl. Add the celery and onion and refrigerate until it is chilled.
- In the meantime, make the dressing. Add the mayonnaise, mustard, sweet pickle relish, sugar, vinegar, salt, and pepper to a bowl. Stir with a fork or small whisk until the dressing is smooth.
- Refrigerate the dressing until you are ready to put the macaroni chicken salad together.
- Peel, core, and cut the apple into small cubes.
- Add the diced apples and cubed chicken to the macaroni.
- Pour the dressing on the macaroni chicken mixture and stir well until coated and combined.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Garnish with parsley and extra diced celery, if desired.
Notes
- Do not overcook the pasta. Cook until it is firm but no longer al dente.
- Cool the macaroni quickly after draining. Run it under cold water to stop the cooking. Use a colander to drain it well.
- Do not prepare the apple until you are ready to put the dish together, so it doesn't brown.
Nutrition
Calories: 414kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 16g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 450mg | Potassium: 187mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 82IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg