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–+ servings
cajun pasta salad in serving bowl

Zesty Cajun Pasta Salad

Kitchen Ready Betty
This Cajun pasta salad is the ultimate cookout side dish, featuring a creamy dressing and a budget-friendly protein boost from leftover chicken. It’s a spicy (but not too spicy) twist on a classic macaroni salad that comes together in less than 30 minutes for a perfect summer side!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Rest time (for flavors to meld) 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 22 minutes
Course lunch, Salads, Salads & Sides, Side Dish
Cuisine American, Cajun, Southern
Servings 10
Calories 221 kcal

Equipment

  • medium saucepan with lid
  • colander
  • large salad bowl (6 qt)
  • cutting board
  • serrated knife
  • chef's knife
  • small mixing bowl
  • whisk
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • citrus juicer and sieve

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz macaroni dry measurement
  • 1 green bell pepper washed, seeded, and chopped
  • ½ cup red OR white onion chopped
  • 1 cup celery chopped thin
  • 1 (15 oz) can red kidney beans drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups precooked chicken cut into small pieces
  • 1 cup reduced fat mayonnaise I like Duke's for this recipe
  • ⅓ cup plain whole milk Greek yogurt can swap this for sour cream
  • 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard for an extra kick, use Cajun Dijon instead
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice ½ medium lemon, freshly squeezed
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1-3 teaspoon Cajun seasoning if serving to a crowd, I recommend using just 1 tsp
  • green onions sliced thin; optional topping

Instructions
 

  • Boil macaroni according to package directions for al dente. Immediately transfer to colander and rinse under cold water; drain and add to large salad bowl.
  • Add the chopped green pepper, onion, celery, and rinsed kidney beans; gently toss with the noodles.
  • Next add the cold, precooked chicken; stir.
  • In a small mixing bowl, whisk the mayonnaise, yogurt OR sour cream, Dijon mustard, and lemon juice until just blended. Then add the paprika and Cajun seasoning; whisk until blended, but don't overmix.
  • Fold the dressing into the pasta mixture; gently stir until all ingredients are coated. *See recipe notes.
  • Cover and chill for a minimum of 2 hours before serving. Optional to top with sliced green onions just before serving.

Notes

Store the dressing in a separate container if you aren't planning to serve your Cajun pasta salad within six hours. For the best results, toss the leftover chicken and other ingredients with the dressing about two hours before serving. This allows flavors to meld without the noodles getting soggy.
Pasta naturally acts like a sponge and will absorb the creamy Cajun dressing as it sits in the fridge. To prevent a dry salad, reserve about a quarter of your dressing and toss it in just before serving—this simple step makes your Cajun pasta salad look and taste like you just made it fresh!
Store leftovers in refrigerator for up to 3 days.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 221kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 13gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 375mgPotassium: 363mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 328IUVitamin C: 12mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 1mg
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