Rotisserie Chicken Macaroni Salad is a super easy, quick, and delicious meal. This is the best chicken and macaroni salad, perfect for lunch or a light dinner.
This recipe was updated in January of 2022 with all new photos and more information.
You can use rotisserie chicken (my favorite way), any cooked leftover chicken, or Thanksgiving turkey. Leftover holiday ham would also work great!
This recipe for chicken macaroni salad reminds my husband of the tuna noodle salad his mom used to make for him when he was young. I like tuna, but I prefer macaroni salad with chicken in it. Although, I think ham or turkey would be great too!
Ingredients needed
- Rotisserie Chicken - I prefer to use the chicken breast meat in this recipe, but the thigh meat also works. Also, try this recipe with leftover turkey or ham.
- Elbow Macaroni - Elbow macaroni is my favorite pasta for macaroni salad. However, I have also used Shells and Ditalini.
- Red Onion - I love red onion! If it is too strong for you, try some green onion or just leave it out.
- Celery - We use this mostly for the crunch and texture factor.
- Shredded Cheese - Sharp or medium cheddar both work. Use your favorite.
- Mayonnaise - Got to have some mayo!
- Dill Pickle Relish - Sometimes, instead of prepared relish, I will chop us some dill pickles and add a bit of the pickle juice.
- Lemon - Optional. You will need about ½ of a lemon.
- Parsley - Fresh parsley always adds a really nice finishing touch to a dish.
Ingredient amounts and complete directions on making this chicken macaroni salad can be found below on the recipe card.
How to make this salad
Here are the simple steps to make this delicious, easy Rotisserie Chicken Macaroni Salad recipe.
Cook the elbow macaroni in salted water, per package instructions, drain and set aside to cool.
Chop the onion and celery. Cube the chicken. Chop or hand shred the parsley.
Mix the mayonnaise, dill pickle relish, lemon juice if using, onion, celery, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Add the cubed chicken, shredded cheddar cheese, and cooked macaroni. Stir well and adjust salt and pepper again if necessary.
Add more mayo if you desire. Top with a little extra parsley.
Eat immediately or cover, and place in the refrigerator, so the flavors have a chance to meld.
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Recipe
Chicken Macaroni Salad made with Rotisserie Chicken
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Elbow Macaroni
- 2 cups Rotisserie Chicken cubed
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese sharp, shredded
- ¾ cup Mayonnaise more if needed
- 3 tablespoons Dill Pickle Relish
- ½ Lemon optional
- ½ cup Celery chopped
- ½ cup Red Onion chopped
- ¾ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley
Instructions
- Cook the elbow macaroni in salted water, per package instructions, drain and set aside to cool.
- Chop the onion and celery. Cube the chicken. Chop or hand shred the parsley.
- Mix the mayonnaise, dill pickle relish, lemon juice if using, onion, celery parsley, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Add the cubed chicken, shredded cheddar cheese, and cooked macaroni. Stir well and adjust salt and pepper again if necessary. Add more mayo if you desire.
- Eat immediately or cover, and place in the refrigerator, so the flavors have a chance to meld.
Judy
I enjoyed the blog and look forward to trying the recipes keep them coming they look good enough to eat.
cookthisagainmom
Thank you!