Description
This creamy macaroni pasta salad with chicken is a delicious and hearty dish perfect for picnics, potlucks, or a satisfying lunch. Featuring tender cooked macaroni and diced chicken combined with crunchy celery and sweet red bell pepper, all tossed in a tangy, creamy dressing made from mayo, sour cream, and mustard. Chilled to perfection, this pasta salad offers a refreshing and balanced flavor that is both easy to prepare and crowd-pleasing.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked macaroni
- 2 cups cooked chicken, diced
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
Dressing
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Make the Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, and mustard until smooth and well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooked macaroni, diced chicken, celery, and red bell pepper. Pour the dressing over the ingredients.
- Toss to Combine: Gently toss all the ingredients and dressing together until everything is evenly coated.
- Chill: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour. Chilling helps the flavors meld and enhances the creaminess.
- Serve: After chilling, give the salad a quick stir and serve chilled as a satisfying side or main dish.
Notes
- Use rotini or elbow macaroni as an alternative to classic macaroni.
- Cook chicken by boiling, roasting, or grilling according to preference before dicing.
- Adjust mustard quantity for a milder or tangier flavor.
- Add chopped fresh herbs like parsley or dill for extra freshness.
- For a lighter version, substitute mayo with Greek yogurt.
- This dish can be prepared a day ahead, store covered in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (assuming cooked pasta and chicken are ready)
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
