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Chicken Pasta Salad
marie

Chicken Pasta Salad – Creamy, Hearty & Packed with Flavor

This Chicken Pasta Salad is a comforting yet refreshing crowd-pleaser made with tender chicken, savory ground beef, crunchy vegetables, plenty of cheese, and a rich, creamy dressing. Perfect for meal prep, potlucks, or family meals, it’s hearty, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta Base
  • 500 g elbow macaroni or short pasta cooked al dente
  • 1 tbsp salt for pasta water
Protein & Vegetables
  • 3 cups cooked chicken shredded or finely chopped
  • 150 g ground beef cooked until golden
  • 2 stalks celery thinly sliced
  • 1 red bell pepper finely diced
  • 2 green onions finely chopped
  • 2 carrots grated
  • 2 cups shredded cheese cheddar, Colby, or blend
  • 2 small avocados diced, optional
Creamy Dressing
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 cup full-fat sour cream
  • 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 4 tsp sugar
  • 1 ½ tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper

Method
 

  1. Cook pasta in well-salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and let cool completely.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth. Set aside.
  3. Cook ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat until browned and slightly crispy. Drain excess fat and let cool.
  4. In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, chicken, ground beef, celery, bell pepper, green onions, carrots, cheese, and avocado if using.
  5. Add dressing and toss gently until everything is evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes before serving.

Notes

This salad keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days. Stir gently before serving. For a vegetarian version, skip the meats and add chickpeas. If the dressing thickens too much, loosen with a splash of milk or lemon juice.