Try this easy chicken macaroni salad recipe, loaded with shredded chicken, onions, carrots, and bell peppers. With a little sweet surprise from raisins and pineapple tidbits. Perfect as a side dish or even as a snack.
Making this chicken macaroni salad has made me feel all nostalgic.
You see, even at a young age, our parents saw to it that we know what responsibility means. They did so by assigning each one of us specific house chores. Like, I was assigned to clean the bedrooms while my older brother, Norman, was in charge of the living and dining room. Andrea has the toilet and Glenda the stairwell. Dawn was just a baby then so she was exempted but later on, she also got a timeslot for dishwashing, which is like the initiation to the various level of tasks that depends on your age.
In addition to my daily chores, being the eldest daughter, I was the designated kitchen assistant to our Mama. That means spending longs hours in the kitchen when we have to prepare for an occasion or for the holidays.
The first task I remember having is to stir the leche flan mixture ...very slowly. I remember I needed to kneel on top of a chair to do it because I was not able to do it standing up from the floor.
Next assignment my Mama gave me was to peel and cut onions and other vegetables.
I can still remember how I hated chopping onions because of the all the tears it entails. Or how boring it was to cut carrots, bell peppers and celery in julienne or brunoise (really tiny cubes) for a Lumpiang Shanghai, macaroni salad and pancit.
She was also very specific about having the uniform size and shape, as much as possible.
It would take me hours to finish chopping all the things she needed. There were usually loads of them since we usually prepare food for at least a hundred people in those days.
Every year, my Mama would let me do more than just chopping things. I was allowed to season and mix things! 🙂 And then, later on, I was promoted to make the desserts and salads on my own.
While making this chicken macaroni salad and chopping the carrots, bell peppers and onions, the memory of those years spent chopping away vegetables came rushing back. But instead of feeling hatred or boredom, I feel grateful.
Thankful that my Mama insisted that I help her in the kitchen and learn how to cook from her. The exercise also taught me to have patience. And that the really good stuff requires time and extra effort and the result can be much more rewarding.
Printable Recipe
Easy Chicken Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni - uncooked
- 1 pound chicken breast fillet
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- 1 cup onions - chopped finely
- 1 cup carrots - cut brunoise/fine dice
- ½ cup green bell pepper - cut brunoise/fine dice
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 can (137g) pineapple tidbits
- ½ block cheese (Eden or Velveeta or cheddar)
- 1 /2 teaspoon ground pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt - adjust as needed
Instructions
- Cook elbow macaroni as per package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Place chicken in a pot and fill with water just enough to cover it. Add a little salt and bring to boil. Simmer for 10-12 minutes or until meat is cooked through. Remove from heat and drain. Shred meat using 2 forks.
- In a large bowl, add all the ingredients, except the cheese, salt, and pepper. and toss until well blended.
- Grate the cheese on top of the macaroni salad and mix. Season with salt and pepper according to preference.
- Cover the bowl with cling wrap and let it rest in the fridge for at least an hour to give the flavor time to blend together. Give it another toss before serving.
Hannilyn Tupas says
Thank you for sharing!
malu says
It reminds me of my childhood and the tastes and flavours of favourite dishes. Thank you for your recipe 😀
Bebs says
My pleasure, Malu. happy that you like it.
Tita Bondoc says
Affordable, easy to.prepare, my grandkids will love it!
KZE says
It tastes like my late mom’s macaroni salad recipe. Made few tweaks like no bell pepper and subbed honey crisp apple. Super delicious, thank you for sharing!
che says
Non Filipino friends loved it! they even asked for the recipe so I shared yours! Thanks! 😊
Bebs says
Aww...that is great, Che and appreciate you sharing our recipe.
Jc says
So good. I use cranberries instead of raisins lol
Bebs says
Oh yes, I love dried cranberries and I am sure that tasted great!
Julie says
At first I was unimpressed with this recipe, as I only let it sit for about 3 hours in the fridge before serving. I thought it was kinda bland. But the next day, it was great! I’d definitely prepare it the night before and let all the flavors meld before serving the next day. Has just the right amount of crunch and sweetness. Thanks!
Bebs says
This is absolutely true. Glad you ended up liking it, Julie.
Joey says
Made it but used cranberries and pecans no raisons. So good
shirley says
Simple and easy to follow. Thank You.
Cristina L.Lazaro says
Thank you very much for sharing your recipe. I love your version. I tried it , and my family loved it!!
Emiry Yu says
This recipe really helped me a lot since I always love savory chicken macaroni salad. Easy to follow and the ingredients are very affordable.
Charles says
Best tasting mac salad, however I substitute apple tidbits for the green bell peppers. 👍👍👍
Donna says
I made this many times already. My guest loved it. Thanks for the recipe .
M Yap says
I used rotisserie chicken, gluten free elbow macaroni, and added 2 more cups of Mayo and a can of fruit cocktail.
Raquel lisondra says
So delicious
Mia says
This is the classic chicken macaroni salad which will transform you to your younger self in every bite. Thanks for always sharing these beautiful recipes which remind us of how it was growing up and by then sharing it with our children who likewise will grow up loving them just like us.
Bebs says
My pleasure, Mia! So glad that you like our recipes.
Vanessa says
Hi! I just wanted to say I'm very thankful that you shared your recipe. It's very good and perfect for my picky Mother as I'm always nervous whenever I prepared food for them, they're so hard to please as she's a good cook herself. Anyway, she enjoyed it, and has no complaints about it. It's so easy, following your recipe and they're all well explained. God bless you always! ❤️
Bebs says
It's our pleasure and I am glad to hear that your mom approves it, Vanessa!
Francis says
You're one of my favorite. Your ways and tips always help me. Thank you.
Anna says
Love all your recipes. And your website is always my go to for any dishes Filipino.
May you continue to create more delicious recipe.😀
Bebs says
That is so nice of you to say, Anna! Thank you 😘
Cece says
This is the recipe I'd been looking for! I made this for my birthday (sans chicken) and everybody loved it. A lot of the recipes I find are sweet, and I don't really like that
This one hits the spot!
Bebs says
So we have similar taste, Cece😉!
January Johnson says
This recipe is the best. I made mine with small chop ham instead since I don't have thawed chicken. haha. but It came out really good. so yummy, my kids love it too. I will probably keep this one for every occasion. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Bebs says
That is great, January! Happy to know you and the kids like it.
Mitzi says
Love this recipe! I tried this for our noche buena. Thank you for sharing.
Bebs says
Your welcome, Mitzi!
Vanina says
One of my fave, i so love this recipe
Bebs says
Happy that you like it. Thanks for the 5 stars.
Leony says
It's really awesome and reliable. Thanks for sharing with us.
Bebs says
Happy to hear it, Leony.
lucky2001 says
very interesting.....😊😊😊😊
Cecille says
Very tasty, and so easy to make, Thanks for sharing your recipe
Bebs says
You are welcome, Cecille and thanks for the 5 stars.
Kevin says
Hi. Do I need to cook the carrots and bell pepper before mixing it with the ingredients? Or do I just peel it, chop it and mix with all the ingredients? Thanks
Bebs says
Hi Kevin, I get this a lot from our viewers on FB. I do not find the need to cook the carrots and bell peppers because they can be eaten raw like in other vegetable salads. And I find the added freshness and crunch to be quite delicious.
Tina says
I need some clarification. It says the recipe is 727 per serving. How much is a serving? In ounces or cups?
Thank you!
Bebs says
Hi Tina, the nutrition calculation is done automatically by our recipe plugin. What it does is compute the total for all the ingredients and divide it into the serving given.
Norma Cuevas says
It’s interesting kind of easy recipe might be able to cook with out problems
Thanks for letting me used your recipe
Bebs says
Our pleasure, Norma and happy you like them.
Carlos says
Very tasty
Bebs says
Thanks Carlos!
Aurea Villena says
First timer here... excited to try tour recipes... thank you!
Bebs says
Welcome, Aurea. I hope you like our recipes!
Mary Ann Therese Chua says
Delicious!
Bebs says
Thanks Mary Ann..
Ella says
Love your recipes, simple & easy to follow yet soo yummy my kids will surely like it, looking forward to cook more of your recipes! Good luck, more power!
Bebs says
Hi Ella, I am glad you are happy with our recipes. Thanks for your nice comment and happy holidays to you and yours.