Go Back Email Link
–+ servings

BBQ Chicken Macaroni Salad

Casey Rooney
This BBQ Chicken Macaroni Salad will change how you think about traditional mac salad. This salad is a little sweet, a little tangy and never heavy or soggy! It's the perfect side for summertime grilling or just a simple lunch!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course lunch, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 374 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the dressing

  • 3/4 cup mayonaise
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar See Note 1
  • 2 tbsp sweet pickle juice
  • 2 tbsp milk
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup BBQ sauce use your favorite!

For the Macaroni Salad

  • 1 lb macaroni or similar See Note 2
  • 1 cup sweet pickles, chopped
  • 1 3 oz. can sliced olives or about 1 cup of olives, sliced
  • 3-4 scallions, chopped green AND white parts!
  • 1 cup celery, chopped see alternatives here
  • 1 cup cooked chicken, chopped See Note 3

Instructions
 

  • Boil pasta according to package directions. Ensure that it is NOT al dente and cooked through completely. Drain, rinse and set aside to cool completely.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients, set aside.
  • When pasta is completely cool, add it to a large bowl. Add pickles, olives, scallions, celery and chicken.
  • Add half the dressing and toss to combine. Continue adding more dressing until you get to your desired amount of creaminess. NOTE: If you are making this ahead of time, toss with half the dressing, cover and refrigerate. Then, when you are ready to serve, toss with the remaining dressing (or dress to your desired taste).

Notes

Note 1: Regular old distilled white vinegar or white wine vinegar are both fine as well!
Note 2: I used Cavitappi in this recipe and I have also used both shells and rotini (corkscrew)--they both are excellent!
Note 3: Rotisserie chicken or leftover BBQ chicken work great! You can also leave the chicken out if you are already serving this salad alongside another meat.
Save this recipe form

💌 Save to your inbox!

Enter your email and send this recipe straight to your inbox. As a bonus, you'll receive more easy recipes every week!

Nutrition

Calories: 374kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 10.3gFat: 10.3gSaturated Fat: 1.5gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 941mgPotassium: 245mgFiber: 3.1gSugar: 10.8gCalcium: 50mgIron: 3mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!