Creamy Chicken Macaroni Salad

Name: Creamy Chicken Macaroni Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 16 ounces elbow macaroni; 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed; 6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled; 1 cup mayonnaise; 1/2 cup sour cream; 1 tablespoon dijon mustard; 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped; 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced; 1/2 cup sweet pickle relish; Salt and black pepper to taste; Fresh parsley for garnish

A comforting and hearty pasta salad that is perfect for summer picnics or a quick family dinner.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 American· July 19, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

15 minutes

Total

30 minutes

Serves

There is something so satisfying about a big bowl of cold pasta salad. This chicken macaroni salad is a favorite in my kitchen because it hits all the right notes with crunchy vegetables, savory bacon, and a wonderfully creamy dressing that ties everything together.

My secret to the best flavor is to make sure you let the salad chill in the fridge for at least an hour before serving. This gives the macaroni enough time to soak up the dressing, which makes every single bite taste even better.

🧺 Ingredients

16 ounces elbow macaroni
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed
6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon dijon mustard
1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
1/2 cup sweet pickle relish
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the macaroni according to the package directions until it is tender.
2
Drain the pasta and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process, then set it aside to drain completely.
3
In a large mixing bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, sour cream, dijon mustard, and sweet pickle relish until smooth.
4
Add the cooked macaroni, shredded chicken, crumbled bacon, chopped celery, and diced onion into the bowl with the dressing.
5
Toss everything together gently until the pasta and vegetables are well coated.
6
Season the salad with salt and pepper to your liking, then cover and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
7
Garnish with a little fresh parsley if you like before bringing it to the table.

💡 Tips

This salad keeps well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. If it seems a little dry after being in the fridge, just stir in an extra tablespoon of mayonnaise or a splash of milk to bring back that creamy texture.

#pasta salad #chicken #easy dinner #potluck recipe #comfort food

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