Chicken Salad With Twist
A flavorful chicken pasta salad featuring corkscrew macaroni, fresh vegetables, black olives, and a tangy dressing, perfect for picnics, potlucks, or light lunches.
Ingredients
- 8 oz. corkscrew macaroni ⓘ
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise ⓘ
- 1/2 cup Italian salad dressing ⓘ
- 3 Tbsp. lemon juice ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. prepared mustard ⓘ
- 1 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 to 2 cups cooked and chopped chicken ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped cucumber
- 1 cup chopped celery ⓘ
- 3/4 cup sliced black olives ⓘ
- 1 medium onion, chopped ⓘ
Instructions
- Cook macaroni according to package instructions. Drain and cool.
- Combine mayonnaise, Italian salad dressing, lemon juice, prepared mustard, pepper, and salt in a bowl and stir until blended.
- Add the dressing mixture to the cooked macaroni, stirring well.
- Stir in chopped chicken, cucumber, celery, sliced black olives, and chopped onion.
- Chill the salad for at least 2 hours before serving.
- Serve in a lettuce-lined dish.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider using Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise for a lighter twist. You can also add fresh herbs like dill or parsley to enhance the taste. If you're in a hurry, rotisserie chicken can be a convenient substitute for cooked chicken. Feel free to swap out the vegetables based on seasonal availability or personal preference; for instance, bell peppers or carrots can work well too.
Serving Suggestions
This chicken salad is perfect for summer picnics or potlucks and pairs beautifully with fresh fruit or a light soup. Serve it on a bed of lettuce for a refreshing meal, or use it as a filling for sandwiches or wraps. It also complements well with sides like potato salad or coleslaw for a complete barbecue spread.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to meld as it sits, making it even more delicious the next day. If the salad seems dry upon reheating, add a splash of Italian salad dressing or mayonnaise to refresh its creaminess before serving.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken Salad With Twist contains roughly 132 calories, with 3g protein, 6g carbohydrates, and 11g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (23% of the Daily Value), and a good source of vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1134mg per serving (49% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use whole wheat macaroni for this recipe?
Absolutely! Whole wheat macaroni will add a nutty flavor and extra fiber to the dish. Just ensure to adjust the cooking time as whole wheat pasta may take slightly longer to cook than regular macaroni.
Is this chicken salad suitable for meal prep?
Yes, this chicken salad is great for meal prep! Just prepare it ahead of time and store it in individual portions. It holds up well in the refrigerator, making it an easy grab-and-go lunch option throughout the week.
Can I make this chicken salad dairy-free?
Certainly! To make this chicken salad dairy-free, simply use a dairy-free mayonnaise alternative. Many brands offer vegan mayonnaise that works well in this recipe, allowing you to enjoy the flavors without any dairy ingredients.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).