Creamy Ham and Chicken Macaroni Salad

Creamy Ham and Chicken Macaroni Salad

Creamy Filipino style macaroni salad made with chicken, ham, fruits, vegetables, and a rich mayonnaise and cream dressing.

Prep Time25

Cook Time20

Chilling Time1

Total Time1 45

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American, Filipino

Keyword: easy mac salad, mac salad

Servings: people

Calories: 648kcal

Author: Vanjo Merano

Cost: $$

Equipment

Large pot For boiling macaroni and chicken
Large mixing bowl For combining all ingredients
Colander For draining macaroni and pineapple
Large spoon or spatula For folding ingredients gently

Ingredients

2 pounds boneless chicken breast cooked and diced
1 pound elbow macaroni
6 ounces ham small dice
250 ml Nestlé All Purpose Cream
12 ounces pineapple tidbits drained
1 piece green bell pepper small dice
2 pieces medium carrots small dice
1 piece medium red onion small dice
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
4 ounces pimiento chopped
3/4 cup cheddar cheese grated
1 cup mayonnaise
1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
3 teaspoons salt divided
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 quarts water

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Cook the macaroni – Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil in a cooking pot. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and the elbow macaroni. Cook for about 8 minutes or until al dente. Drain and set aside.
1 pound elbow macaroni, 3 teaspoons salt, 2 quarts water
Cook the chicken – Using the same pot, boil the chicken breast in fresh water for about 12 minutes or until fully cooked. Remove the chicken, let it cool slightly, then dice into small cubes. Discard the water.
2 pounds boneless chicken breast
Mix the base – In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked macaroni, mayonnaise, 2 teaspoons salt, and ground black pepper. Gently fold until the macaroni is evenly coated.
1 cup mayonnaise, 3 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
Add proteins and vegetables – Add the diced chicken, ham, pineapple tidbits, bell pepper, carrots, red onion, raisins, sweet pickle relish, pimiento, onion powder, and garlic powder. Fold until all ingredients are well distributed.
6 ounces ham, 12 ounces pineapple tidbits, 1 piece green bell pepper, 2 pieces medium carrots, 1 piece medium red onion, 1/2 cup raisins, 1/4 cup sweet pickle relish, 4 ounces pimiento, 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
Add cream and cheese – Pour in the Nestlé All Purpose Cream and add the grated cheddar cheese. Continue folding until the salad becomes creamy and well blended.
250 ml Nestlé All Purpose Cream, 3/4 cup cheddar cheese
Chill – Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to develop.
Serve – Transfer to a serving bowl before serving.
Share and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Draining the pineapple: Put the pineapple tidbits in a strainer and let sit for 5 minutes. Press down gently to remove excess juice. Watery pineapple makes the salad soupy.

Dicing tip: Cut all ingredients to about half-inch cubes for even distribution. This gives you a good mix in every spoonful.

Folding technique: Use a folding motion instead of stirring to keep the macaroni and vegetables from breaking apart. Fold from the bottom up with a large spoon or spatula.

Make-ahead: This tastes better the next day after the flavors have time to blend. Make it 1 to 2 days before your party for best results.

Chicken temperature: Let the boiled chicken cool for about 10 minutes before dicing. Room temperature chicken mixes better with the cream than cold or hot chicken.

Cheese tip: Grate cheese fresh from a block. Pre-shredded cheese has coating that prevents smooth melting. Add extra grated cheese on top before serving for presentation.

Storage: Keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. If the salad looks dry after a day, add a splash of cream or mayo and mix well.

Food safety: Keep cold at all times. If bringing to a potluck, transport in a cooler with ice packs. Don't leave at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Nutrition