Best 8 Chicken Taco Macaroni Salad Recipes

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Chicken taco macaroni salad is a delightful dish that combines the flavors of Mexican and American cuisine. It is a versatile dish that can be served as a main course, side dish, or appetizer. Made with macaroni, chicken, and a creamy taco-flavored dressing, it is a crowd-pleaser that is perfect for potlucks, picnics, and summer gatherings. With countless variations and toppings, chicken taco macaroni salad can be customized to suit every palate, making it a popular choice for any occasion.

Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!

CHICKEN TACO SALAD



Chicken Taco Salad image

Provided by Ree Drummond : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 16m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons taco seasoning (store-bought or your own mix)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup ranch dressing (bottled is fine)
1/4 cup salsa (as spicy as you'd like)
3 tablespoons finely minced fresh cilantro
2 ears corn, shucked
1 large head or 2 regular heads green leaf lettuce, shredded thin
3 Roma tomatoes, diced
1/2 cup grated pepper-jack cheese
2 avocados, diced
3 green onions, sliced
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
Tortilla chips of your choice (flavored or not), crushed slightly, for topping salad

Steps:

  • For the chicken: Generously sprinkle both sides of the breasts with the taco seasoning. Heat the oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken on both sides until deep golden brown on the outside and done in the middle (or to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F), about 4 minutes per side. Set aside to cool for 5 minutes.
  • For the dressing: While the chicken is cooking, pour the ranch dressing into a bowl. Add the salsa and cilantro and stir to combine.
  • For the salad: Next, place the ears of corn in the skillet you used to cook the chicken and roll them around so that the flavorful oil/butter mixture coats the corn. Grill on a grill pan or cook in a separate skillet until the corn is still crisp but has color on the outside. Slice off the kernels with a sharp knife and set aside. Dice the chicken into cubes.
  • On a platter, layer the shredded lettuce, diced chicken, tomatoes, cheese, corn, avocados, green onions, cilantro and crushed chips. Drizzle the dressing all over the top, saving some to serve on the side if you'd like. Serve the salad in individual bowls.

CHICKEN MACARONI SALAD



Chicken Macaroni Salad image

A macaroni salad with a twist- chicken! You may need to adjust the amount of mayonnaise once it spends some time in the refrigerator.

Provided by purple

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes     Macaroni Salad Recipes

Time 4h

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 ½ pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
2 cups macaroni
1 (15 ounce) can mixed vegetables, drained
2 cups shredded lettuce
3 cups mayonnaise
¼ tablespoon dried basil
salt and pepper to taste
1 pinch garlic powder

Steps:

  • In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook chicken until no longer pink and juices run clear. Let rest until cool enough to handle, then shred with two forks. Set aside 4 cups of shredded meat.
  • In a medium pot with boiling salted water cook elbow macaroni until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  • Meanwhile, in a large bowl mix together the cooked chicken, drained vegetables, shredded lettuce, and mayonnaise. Add basil, pepper, salt, and garlic powder to taste.
  • Add drained elbow macaroni to chicken mixture. Toss to coat.
  • Refrigerate for several hours before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 699.1 calories, Carbohydrate 21.7 g, Cholesterol 91 mg, Fat 54.4 g, Fiber 2.7 g, Protein 30.6 g, SaturatedFat 8.3 g, Sodium 544.5 mg, Sugar 1.2 g

TACO PASTA SALAD



Taco Pasta Salad image

Two favorite salads meet in this fun side dish - a taco and pasta salad perfect for parties.

Provided by mssyann8

Categories     Salad     100+ Pasta Salad Recipes

Time 40m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 cups spiral pasta
1 pound ground beef
1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning
3 cups shredded lettuce
2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
½ cup chopped onion
½ cup French salad dressing
1 (7 ounce) bag corn chips
2 tablespoons sour cream

Steps:

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spiral pasta at a boil, stirring occasionally, until cooked through yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes; drain.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and stir in ground beef. Cook and stir until beef is crumbly, evenly browned, and no longer pink, about 10 minutes. Drain and discard any excess grease. Stir taco seasoning into beef mixture; cool.
  • Stir beef mixture into pasta; toss lettuce, tomatoes, Cheddar cheese, onion, French dressing, and corn chips into pasta mixture. Top with sour cream.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 618.3 calories, Carbohydrate 46.4 g, Cholesterol 68.3 mg, Fat 38.4 g, Fiber 3.5 g, Protein 22.8 g, SaturatedFat 11.7 g, Sodium 980.4 mg, Sugar 6.4 g

CHICKEN TACO PASTA SALAD



Chicken Taco Pasta Salad image

Make and share this Chicken Taco Pasta Salad recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Impera_Magna

Categories     Chicken

Time 30m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 7

12 ounces pasta, uncooked (bowtie or spiral)
1/2 cup Miracle Whip
1 (1 1/4 ounce) packet taco seasoning mix
3/4 cup medium chunky salsa
1 (2 1/4 ounce) can sliced pitted black olives, drained
1 cup shredded colby-monterey jack cheese
1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cooked, cut into strips

Steps:

  • Cook pasta as directed on package.
  • Mix dressing, seasoning and salsa in large bowl. Add drained pasta and all remaining ingredients; mix lightly.
  • Serve immediately. Or, cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour or until chilled.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 427.5, Fat 9.2, SaturatedFat 4.3, Cholesterol 82.6, Sodium 464.5, Carbohydrate 45.4, Fiber 2.7, Sugar 2.1, Protein 38.8

CHICKEN TACO SALAD



Chicken Taco Salad image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     main-dish

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 small onion, sliced
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
Juice of 1/2 lime, plus wedges for serving
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 head romaine lettuce, shredded

Steps:

  • Shredded pepper Jack cheese, salsa, guacamole, sour cream, sliced scallions and fried tortilla strips, for topping
  • Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chili powder and cumin and cook for 30 seconds. Add the chicken, black beans and chicken broth, then stir, bring to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the lime juice and season with salt and pepper.
  • Fill 4 serving bowls with the romaine, then add the chicken mixture. Top with cheese, salsa, guacamole, sour cream, scallions and tortilla strips. Serve with lime wedges.

CHICKEN TACO MACARONI SALAD



Chicken Taco Macaroni Salad image

I like to give macaroni salad a taco twist. Rotisserie chicken makes it quick. I'll often serve this dish as a main course since it's so hearty. -Lisa Allen, Joppa, Alabama

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 20m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium taco seasoning
2 teaspoons sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 cups cubed rotisserie chicken
1 small sweet yellow or orange pepper, chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
fresh cilantro leaves, optional

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and rinse with cold water. Cool completely., For dressing, in a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, taco seasoning, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper. In a large bowl, combine chicken, peppers and macaroni. Add dressing; gently toss to coat. Refrigerate until serving. Top with cilantro if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 328 calories, Fat 23g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 33mg cholesterol, Sodium 369mg sodium, Carbohydrate 17g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 13g protein.

CHICKEN CAESAR MACARONI SALAD



Chicken Caesar Macaroni Salad image

Give me a Caesar salad anytime, no matter what form it's in. I like to add some chicken and artichokes to make this Caesar macaroni salad a little more hearty. -Shawn Barto, Palmetto, Florida

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch     Side Dishes

Time 20m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Italian salad dressing mix
2 teaspoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 cup chopped rotisserie chicken
1 can (14 ounces) water-packed artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons capers, drained
Caesar salad croutons, optional

Steps:

  • Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain and rinse with cold water. Cool completely., For dressing, in a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, dressing mix, sugar, salt and pepper. In a large bowl, combine chicken, artichokes, Parmesan, capers and macaroni. Add dressing and toss gently to coat. , Refrigerate until serving. Top with croutons and additional capers if desired.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 318 calories, Fat 22g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 20mg cholesterol, Sodium 692mg sodium, Carbohydrate 19g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 10g protein.

TACO MACARONI SALAD



Taco Macaroni Salad image

Make and share this Taco Macaroni Salad recipe from Food.com.

Provided by ratherbeswimmin

Categories     Lunch/Snacks

Time 36m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 cups uncooked corkscrew macaroni
1 lb ground round
1 (1 1/4 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
1/2 cup French dressing
1/2 head lettuce, shredded
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
salt and pepper

Steps:

  • Prepare macaroni according to package directions; rinse, drain, and chill for 1 hour.
  • In a skillet, crumble and cook the ground round until browned; drain.
  • Add in the taco seasoning and French salad dressing; stir to combine; let cool.
  • In a large bowl, add the macaroni, ground beef mixture, and remaining ingredients; stir to combine.
  • Serve immediately.

Tips:

  • For the best flavor, use a combination of cooked chicken and rotisserie chicken.
  • If you don't have taco seasoning, you can make your own by combining chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper.
  • To save time, you can use store-bought macaroni salad instead of making your own.
  • Add your favorite vegetables to the salad, such as chopped bell peppers, onions, or corn.
  • Serve the salad immediately or chill it for later.

Conclusion:

Chicken taco macaroni salad is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for potlucks, picnics, or summer gatherings. It is a great way to use up leftover chicken and macaroni, and it is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you are looking for a new salad recipe, give this one a try!

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