Filipino-style Macaroni Salad is a must for any party or celebration! Loaded with chicken, ham, cheese, and crushed pineapple, it's hearty, delicious, and a sure crowd favorite.
Like spaghetti, Filipino-style macaroni salad is one of the dishes we adapted from the west and gave our own Pinoy twist. Bursting with tropical flavors, it's the perfect fit for our tastes.
This recipe was first published in September 2013 but I am giving it a little makeover today with new photos and cooking tips because, well, Christmas is almost here. No Filipino party or gathering is complete without chicken macaroni and if I may say so myself, this version of mine is THE mother of all macaroni salads!
With a delicious hodgepodge of hearty pasta, shredded chicken, cubed ham and cheese, crushed pineapples, plump raisins, diced carrots, and chopped eggs, it's a smorgasbord of flavors and textures your guests wouldn't be able to get enough of. They will be lining up for seconds thirds!
Good thing this macaroni salad recipe can be easily doubled (or tripled) for a large crowd and can be prepped in advance for less-stress entertaining.
Helpful tips:
- Macaroni is the highlight of the show here so make sure it's done just right. Do not overcook as it gets tossed with an overwhelming amount of mixed ins and you want it firm enough to hold up.
- Poach the chicken instead of "boil". This gentle method of cooking ensures the meat is moist and succulent instead of dry and stringy. I like to use boneless chicken breasts but a combination of dark and white meat will work well, too.
- Like poaching the chicken, blanching the carrots is another step that makes a difference. By parboiling in hot water and then immediately shocking them in iced water, the vegetables vibrant and tender-crisp.
- I like to dice sweet gherkin pickles for extra crunch but feel free to swap sweet pickle relish.
- Feel free to experiment with other add-ins such as chopped bell peppers and celery to flavor and color.
- Do not skip the condensed milk! It adds creaminess and a touch of sweetness which counterbalances the savory flavors of the dish.
- For food safety, allow the pasta and ingredients to cool completely before mixing.
- The pasta salad will be a little loose when first combined but it will thicken beautifully after an hour or so in the fridge. I know everyone will be excited to dig in but give it a little time to cool completely and meld.
How long can you keep macaroni salad
- Although you can prep the salad in advance, I don't recommend keeping it at room temperature for more than 2 hours or for more than 3 days in the refrigerator due to food safety. With mayo, eggs, and other protein-rich ingredients, it will spoil quicker than most foods.
- Unfortunately, due to the nature of the ingredients, this chicken macaroni salad does not freeze well. The fats and oils in the mayonnaise break down and lose creaminess when frozen and thawed.
Include this Filipino macaroni on your holiday or special occasion menu and make A LOT as it's sure to be a crowd favorite! It's a great side dish as well as a complete meal-in-itself.
If you're looking for more festive salads, enjoy the same flavors in potato form! Or try my pasta fruit salad for a delicious Noche Buena dessert option. If you like tuna, I've got you covered, too!
Filipino-style Macaroni Salad
Ingredients
- 16 ounces uncooked medium elbow macaroni
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast or thigh meat
- 1 large carrot, peeled and diced
- 1 cup ham, cubed
- 6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and coarsely chopped
- 14 ounces crushed pineapple
- 1 cup Eden or Velveeta Cheese, cubed
- ½ cup sweet pickle relish
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 onion, peeled and diced
- 1 ½ cups mayonnaise
- ½ cup sweetened condensed milk
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a pot over medium heat, bring about 4 quarts salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook according to package directions for about 8 to 9 minutes or until firm to bite. Drain well and allow to cool completely.
- In a pot, add chicken meat and enough water to cover. Bring the water to a boil, skimming scum that floats on top. Lower heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes or until cooked through. Drain from the liquid, allow to completely cool and shred. Set aside.
- In a pot, bring water to a boil. Add diced carrots and cook for about 30 seconds. With a slotted spoon, remove from water and plunge into an ice bath until completely cool. Drain and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine macaroni, chicken, carrots, ham, eggs, crushed pineapple including packing juice, cheese, sweet pickle relish, raisins, onions, mayonnaise, and sweetened condensed milk. Gently stir together until evenly distributed.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate for about 1 hour to cool completely and to allow flavors to meld.
Video
Nutrition
Looks delicious
Thank you!
Hi i love this macaroni salad thanks for sharing. I just want to know you served with what or you just just eat like that
Thanks
Hello there! It can be eaten just like that but it's usually a side dish.
I will definitely try this recipe that really looks delicious and easy to prepare love it
Enjoy!
Very delicious and very nutritious. Thank you.
Thank you for the 5-star rating. I'm glad you like it.
Awesome recipe - thanks for sharing. Please continue to cook delicious food. Thanks again 👍
You're welcome. I am glad you find the recipes useful.
i love it 🤩
...iwill tryout soon..
i want to learn more..
hoping for the best result..
.
I always tell my kids if you don't like the food just say, I don't like it, thank you but never say yuk, gross or disgusting! Food is food and it's always good to someone who has the palate for it. And no to hotdogs in my Macaroni Salad, thank you! And this recipe looks yumm!!
Thank you!
I love this Recipes. Thank you for sharing us your Recipes. God bless.
I love this Recipes. Thank you for sharing us your Recipes. God bless.
You're welcome. Enjoy the recipes 🙂
Hello Ms. Lalaine,
I found your recipes really helpful, i started from your soy chicken and now i can no longer count how many recipes i did try and everything turned out really yum! Thanks a lot! 🤗 i just have some concern here, my macaroni tasted really sour on the following day since i made it, i know of course its probably from the p/a juice but is it really?😟
I am thinking maybe it was spoiled already? Was it left outside of refrigeration? Unfortunately, this spoils fast because of the mayo and eggs 🙁
Hi, made this bfore but today I forgot pickles:( wat can I substitute pls? Thanks
You can skip it and jsut add a bit more crushed pineapples 🙂