A platter of superb macaroni salad has an unmistakably Filipino flavor for a cuisine that originated in America. It is a dish that is always present at family gatherings, especially during the holidays. But I can tell you that adding a couple of meat components to make the Ham and Chicken Macaroni Salad makes it much better! What are the characteristics that make this so unique?
Ham and Chicken Macaroni Salad
Pasta? Check. Meat? Check. Veggies? Check. It even has its own fruit blend! Is there another meal that can so effortlessly combine all of these food types on one plate? I believe that one of the most appealing aspects of macaroni salad is that it never gets old. As a result of its many ingredients and wonderful dressing, it offers a wide range of flavors and textures.
What does ham and chicken macaroni salad taste like?
If you’ve never eaten Ham and Chicken Macaroni Salad, you can expect a lot of sweetness paired with a lot of savor. There was also a hint of sourness from items with that particular flavor, such as pineapple pieces and mayonnaise.
Overall, it’s a good but hearty lunch that will leave you wanting more. It also offers certain health benefits as a result of the vegetables in the mix.
Ingredients in Ham and Chicken Macaroni Salad
Elbow macaroni
For our signature ingredient, we will need 1 lb. of elbow macaroni. This can also be pretty good for your body as it is rich in protein.
Ham
You’re also going to want to get 8 ounces of ham for this recipe. Then slice these up into cubes.
Chicken breast
Up next, we need to get 8 ounces of chicken breast. For this recipe, we will actually be using the water from boiling our chicken for some more flavor in our macaroni salad.
Red onion
Get only one red onion, which we will also chop. This item is one of my favorites because it not only has a strong flavor and a hint of spiciness, but it is also high in antioxidants. One of them, quercetin, has been demonstrated in studies to help your immune system function properly. Another advantage is that it can help prevent diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
Celery
For this, we’re using another vegetable, which would be 4 ribs or celery sticks. This, like the previous ingredient, must be chopped. When purchasing this component, pay attention to the texture of the stalks. You want them to be hard and packed tightly together. A brilliant green color in the leaves also indicates freshness.
Green peas
Also grab 1 cup of green peas that should already be cooked. But I know not everyone is a fan of this particular ingredient, and so this is optional.
Red bell pepper
Let’s also chop up 2 red bell peppers, which can give your body a boost of vitamin C!
Sweet pickle relish
A dose of sugariness, as well as a bit of sourness would come in handy to make the dish even more flavorful. That’s why we’re also using ¾ cup of sweet pickle relish.
Pineapple tidbits
8 ounces of pineapple tidbits are also needed for this dish. You also want to incorporate the juice that comes with the canned variant of this ingredient to the dish to really up the refreshing, zesty taste of the pineapple.
Carrot
We’ve also got 1 cup of carrots that we’ve cubed in the recipe.
Water
Also grab 4 cups of water for boiling.
Dressing ingredients:
Lady’s Choice Mayonnaise
You can’t make macaroni salad without some creamy mayonnaise, and so just prepare 1 ½ cups of Lady’s Choice Mayonnaise.
All-purpose cream
This is an ingredient you can forego, but it’s great as well for a layer of creaminess in addition to the mayonnaise— ¾ cup of all purpose cream.
Onion powder
We’ll also need 1 ½ teaspoons of onion powder.
Sugar
We want just a bit of sweetness in the dressing so toss in 1 teaspoon of sugar.
Salt and ground black pepper
And for our final ingredients, you can add as much salt and ground black pepper as you want so there isn’t a specific amount needed for this.
How to Make Ham and Chicken Macaroni Salad
1. Boiling the chicken
- Pour your water in a cooking pot, and sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of salt. Now add your chicken, and apply some heat.
- Put the cover on top, and let this boil in medium heat for about 16 to 18 minutes altogether.
- Afterwards, we can remove the chicken, and proceed to let this cool. Once it does, you can dice these up.
2. Cooking the macaroni
- We will now just keep boiling the water we used for the chicken, which would now serve as our chicken stock. Place the macaroni in the pot now too.
- Just cook the macaroni as indicated in the package.
- After that, you can drain the chicken stock, and put all of your macaroni in a big mixing bowl.
3. Making the dressing
- It’s time to put together our Lady’s Choice Mayonnaise, all-purpose cream, onion powder, sugar and some salt and ground black pepper in a separate bowl. Make sure to mix these thoroughly.
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4. Combining all of the ingredients
- Then we can simply combine the ham, chicken, onion, celery, green peas (if using), pickle relish, pineapple tidbits, carrots, and the dressing we just produced in the same container with our macaroni.
- Toss all of these ingredients together until they have been evenly distributed.
- Put a cover on your bowl, and leave this in the refrigerator for a minimum of 3 hours.
- Once the time has passed, you can go ahead and serve this, especially while chilled!
Ingredients
- 1 lb. elbow macaroni
- 8 oz ham cubed
- 8 ounces chicken breast
- 1 red onion chopped
- 4 ribs celery chopped
- 1 cup green peas cooked
- 2 red bell pepper chopped
- ¾ cup sweet pickle relish
- 8 ounces pineapple tidbits
- 1 cup carrot cubed
- 4 cups water
Dressing Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups Lady’s Choice Mayonnaise
- ¾ cup all-purpose cream optional
- 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
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Boil water in a cooking pot. Add 1 teaspoon of salt. Put the chicken into the pot. Cover and continue boiling in medium heat setting for 16 to 18 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and let it cool down. Dice it once the temperature is manageable.
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Continue boiling the chicken stock (this is the water used to boil the chicken) and add the elbow macaroni. Cook it according to package instructions. Drain the chicken stock and place the macaroni on a large mixing bowl.
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Combine all the dressing ingredients. Mix well. Set aside.
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Combine macaroni, ham, chicken, onion, celery, green peas, pickle relish, pineapple tidbits, and carrots. Toss.
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Add the dressing and continue tossing until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
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Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. Serve chilled. Share and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Calories: 990kcal (50%) Carbohydrates: 89g (30%) Protein: 29g (58%) Fat: 56g (86%) Saturated Fat: 14g (70%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g Monounsaturated Fat: 6g Trans Fat: 0.01g Cholesterol: 81mg (27%) Sodium: 1102mg (46%) Potassium: 749mg (21%) Fiber: 6g (24%) Sugar: 23g (26%) Vitamin A: 5844IU (117%) Vitamin C: 68mg (82%) Calcium: 75mg (8%) Iron: 3mg (17%)FAQ
What is Ham and Chicken Macaroni Salad?
Ham and Chicken Macaroni Salad is a classic Filipino pasta salad that combines cooked macaroni with diced ham, shredded or diced chicken, and various vegetables. It is typically dressed with a creamy mayonnaise-based dressing, creating a flavorful and hearty dish.
How is Ham and Chicken Macaroni Salad prepared?
To make Ham and Chicken Macaroni Salad, start by cooking the macaroni according to the package instructions. Then, boil and shred chicken breast, and dice cooked ham into small pieces. Mix the macaroni, chicken, ham, and vegetables (commonly used vegetables include carrots, bell peppers, and onions) in a large bowl. Lastly, toss everything together with the creamy dressing made from mayonnaise, condensed milk, and other seasonings.
Can I use other types of meat in this salad?
Yes, you can customize the salad to your liking by using other types of meat or proteins. Cooked and shredded turkey, bacon, or even canned tuna are some possible alternatives to ham and chicken.
Is this salad served warm or chilled?
Ham and Chicken Macaroni Salad is typically served chilled, making it a refreshing and perfect dish for picnics, potlucks, or any occasion where a cold salad is desired.
How long can Ham and Chicken Macaroni Salad be stored in the refrigerator?
If properly stored in an airtight container, Ham and Chicken Macaroni Salad can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Make sure to refrigerate it promptly after serving to maintain its freshness and quality. Avoid leaving it at room temperature for extended periods to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.