This Filipino Chicken Macaroni Salad is a super easy recipe featuring creamy mayonnaise, tender chicken, sweet pineapple, and a medley of crunchy vegetables. One bite, and you’ll understand why it’s a Filipino party favorite!
This savory dish is a staple side for many Filipino get-togethers. Whether it’s a birthday party, fiesta, or casual family dinner, this crowd-pleaser is always welcome at the table.
Macaroni salad also brings a taste of Hawaii to mind, conjuring memories of enjoying it alongside garlic shrimp from Giovanni's Shrimp Truck or spam musubi! Pair it with grilled food like inasal, hotdog (try Seattle-Style hotdog, grilled liempo, or fried chicken for the ultimate feast. It’s nostalgic yet endlessly adaptable to any occasion.
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Why You'll Love This?
- Easy to Prepare: Perfect for beginners or busy cooks, it comes together in under 30 minutes!
- Holiday Favorite: A must-have for Christmas, fiestas, or any special occasion.
- Sweet and Savory: The blend of mayo, chicken, and pineapple creates a flavor explosion.
- Versatile Ingredients: Use what you have, from rotisserie chicken to leftover turkey.
- Crowd-Pleaser: It’s always a hit at parties, potlucks, and picnics.
Ingredients
Here's what you will need:
- Pasta: Dry macaroni or any small pasta shape like rotini or shells
- Chicken: Rotisserie shredded chicken breast or boiled chicken breast. You can use turkey too especially leftover holiday turkey
- Mayonnaise: I use Kewpie mayonnaise here but you can use any mayonnaise or Greek yogurt for lighter, tangier option
- Veggies: carrots, red onions, green bell pepper
- Pineapple: I used pineapple tidbits
- Cheese: I used Eden Cheese here but you can use cheddar or anything similar
- Others: Raisins, sweet pickle relish
- Spices: Salt and pepper
- Sweetened Condensed milk (optional but preferred)
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitution and Additions
- Turkey: Swap chicken for leftover holiday turkey.
- Greek Yogurt: Replace mayonnaise for a healthier option.
- Apples: Add diced apples for a fruity twist.
- Ham: Throw in diced ham for extra protein.
- Celery: Add crunch with finely diced celery.
How to Make Filipino Macaroni Salad
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the macaroni and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled macaroni, shredded chicken, minced carrots, minced red onions, minced green bell pepper, raisins, pineapple tidbits, diced cheese and the rest of the ingredients. Gently toss everything together until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Refrigerate your salad for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld. After chilling, give the salad a final stir and transfer to a serving dish.
Recipe Variation Ideas
- Ham and Pineapple: Add diced ham for a savory Hawaiian-inspired twist.
- Tuna Macaroni Salad: Swap chicken for canned tuna for a seafood spin.
- Spicy Mac Salad: Add chili flakes or hot sauce for a spicy kick.
- Vegan Version: Use plant-based mayo and omit the chicken for a vegan-friendly option.
- Asian-Style Salad: Add sesame oil and chopped scallions for a unique flavor profile.
What to Serve With This?
- Chicken Inasal: The smoky, tangy grilled chicken pairs beautifully with this creamy salad.
- Grilled Liempo: Savory grilled pork belly complements the sweetness of the macaroni salad.
- Fried Chicken or Katsu: A crispy classic that goes perfectly with creamy pasta.
- Garlic Shrimp: A seafood option that balances the richness of the salad.
- Spam Musubi: A Hawaiian-inspired pairing with salty-sweet flavors.
- Pork Barbecue: The smoky-sweet skewers are a natural match.
- Lechon Kawali: Crispy pork belly with a juicy interior is irresistible.
- Calamares: Fried squid rings bring variety to your meal.
- Pork Steak or Beef Steak: Savory, garlicky meat is a perfect companion.
- Lumpiang Shanghai: Crunchy spring rolls are always a hit.
- Grilled Tilapia: A lighter fish option for seafood lovers.
- Bistek Tagalog: Filipino beef steak brings savory richness to the table.
Top Tip
- You can customize the salad by adding or substituting ingredients like celery, peas, or corn.
- For a tangier flavor, add a splash of vinegar or lemon juice to the dressing.
- Ensure all ingredients are well-drained, especially the pineapple tidbits, to prevent the salad from becoming too watery.
Refrigeration and Storage
Refrigeration: Store macaroni salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir before serving to redistribute the dressing.
Prepare Fresh: If you need to make it ahead of time, consider prepping the ingredients separately (e.g., cooking the pasta, chopping vegetables) and mixing them together just before serving.
Can You Freeze Macaroni Salad?
Freezing macaroni salad is generally not recommended due to the nature of its ingredients, which can change texture and flavor when frozen and thawed.
Recipe FAQs
Macaroni salad is believed to have originated in the United States but has become a staple in many cuisines, including Filipino.
Prepare the ingredients separately (cooked pasta, chopped vegetables, shredded chicken) and store them in the refrigerator. Mix everything together with the dressing just before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Yes, you can substitute macaroni with other small pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or shells depending on your preference.
Serve macaroni salad chilled as a side dish or a light meal. It pairs well with grilled meats or as part of a picnic spread.
Opt for whole wheat pasta, use low-fat mayonnaise or yogurt, and increase the proportion of vegetables like bell peppers and carrots for added nutrition.
Yes, you can omit the chicken or tofu for a vegetarian version of the salad.
Try Hawaiian Favorites!
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Other Popular Side Dishes
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Recipe
Filipino Chicken Macaroni Salad
Equipment
- 1 MIxing Bowl
- 1 medium pot (for cooking macaroni pasta)
Ingredients
- 8 ounces dry macaroni
- ½ pound rotisserie shredded chicken breast or boiled chicken breast
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup carrots minced
- ½ cup red onions minced
- ¼ cup green bell pepper minced
- ½ cup raisins
- 1½ cup pineapple tidbits
- 1 cup cheese diced small
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
- 2 tablespoon condensed milk
- salt
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook according to the package instructions until al dente.
- Drain the macaroni and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside to cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled macaroni, shredded chicken and the rest of the ingredients.
- Gently toss everything together until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Taste the salad and adjust the salt if needed.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld.
- After chilling, give the salad a final stir and transfer to a serving dish.
- Enjoy your macaroni salad cold as a side dish or a light meal.
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