Chunky Chicken Macaroni Salad Recipe

Macaroni Salad is one of the Filipino-favorite holiday dishes. With a savory flavor profile, it is the opposite of the sweet fruit salad often seen during the Christmas season. Equally special, and a familiar BER-months staple, this salad will surely rekindle fun memories with family and friends.

Despite being seen as purely white, this macaroni salad carries with it an array of flavors. In this recipe, we enrich the traditional dressing not only with mayonnaise but also with cream cheese for added richness. The inclusion of pickle relish and pineapple brings a unique tangy-sweet balance that complements the tender chicken and crunchy vegetables.

INGREDIENTS:

Set A (Boiling Stage):

• 400g elbow macaroni

• 400g chicken breast

• 2 tbsp salt

• 1 pc carrot, diced

• Water, for boiling

Set B (Dressing and Add-ins):

• 1 pc onion, minced

• 1 block cheese, diced

• 1 cup pickle relish

• 5 tbsp vinegar

• 1/2 pc cream cheese

• 1/4 cup Nestle All-Purpose Cream

• 3 cups mayonnaise

• 1 cup pineapple bits

• Salt and pepper, to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Boil the Macaroni (Set A):
   In a pot, boil water with salt. Add elbow macaroni and cook for 8–9 minutes until al dente.

2. Add Chicken and Carrots:
   While the macaroni is cooking, prepare the chicken by removing skin and cutting into chunks. After 8–9 minutes of boiling the macaroni, add chicken and cook for 3 minutes. Then add diced carrots and continue boiling until everything is tender.

3. Drain and Cool:
   Strain the cooked macaroni, chicken, and carrots using a colander. Rinse with running water to stop the cooking. Let cool for 15–20 minutes.

4. Prepare the Dressing (Set B):
   In a large mixing bowl, combine minced onion, pickle relish, vinegar, cream cheese, Nestle Cream, and mayonnaise. Mix well until smooth. Season with salt and white pepper to taste.

5. Add Pineapple and Cheese:
   Add pineapple bits and diced cheese to the dressing. Mix well.

6. Combine Everything:
   Add the cooled macaroni, chicken, and carrots to the dressing. Mix until fully coated. Chill before serving.

SIMPOL COOKING NOTES:

• For better texture, use macaroni cooked al dente to prevent sogginess.

• Adjust sweetness and tanginess by tweaking the amount of relish and vinegar.

• Let it chill before serving to let the flavors develop.

• Perfect for Noche Buena, potlucks, or weekday cravings.

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