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    Home » Appetizers & Sides

    Cajun Pasta Salad

    Published: May 1, 2019 / Updated: Aug 27, 2020 / 10 Comments

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my affiliate disclosure for more details.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Cajun pasta salad recipe will brighten up any summer potluck, picnic, or BBQ! It has tender marinated chicken and a zesty creamy dressing.

    close-up of white bowl with Cajun pasta salad made with tony chachere's creole seasoning

    This post is sponsored by Tony Chachere’s – thank you for supporting the brands that keep Salt & Lavender cooking! I only work with brands whose products I love. All opinions are my own.

    For this recipe, I used Tony's Original Creole Seasoning and Tony's Creole Style Chicken Marinade... the perfect summer pair! Pasta salad season is back, and I'm excited. It's one of the best meals to eat outdoors, I'd say. 🙂

    The chicken in this Creole pasta salad definitely has some kick. Remoulade is one of my favorite things about Cajun cooking, so I knew that I wanted the dressing to have that classic Louisiana taste. Tony's Creole Seasoning adds the most delicious savory flavors to it without having to add a whole heck of a lot else. The dressing also has a cooling touch from the sour cream, which is a great contrast to the spicy chicken. 

    I will just make a note that the chicken in this pasta is optional - you can definitely leave it out and make it vegetarian if you wish! It'll still be plenty delicious. 

    bottle of Tony Chachere's Creole Style Chicken Marinade and two containers of Tony's Original Creole Seasoning

    Cajun pasta salad ingredients

    • Macaroni
    • Red onion
    • Tomatoes 
    • Red pepper
    • Parsley
    • A homemade remoulade-style creamy dressing

    You could definitely add other veggies or even some cheese to this Cajun macaroni salad if you like. There's no right or wrong here!

    close-up of container of Tony Chachere's Original Creole Seasoning

    glass serving bowl with cajun pasta salad with chicken and little tomatoes beside tony chachere's products

    How to make Cajun pasta salad 

    1. Marinate the chicken;
    2. Cook the macaroni and let it cool;
    3. Prep your onion, tomatoes, red pepper, and parsley. 
    4. Make the dressing;
    5. Cook the chicken in your skillet;
    6. Assemble the pasta salad and enjoy right away or chill first.

    Pro tip: You could grill the chicken if you prefer. After marinating it for 30 minutes, thread it onto skewers and then BBQ it.

    Love Creole cooking? I worked with Tony's last year to make this delicious dirty rice dressing. I also have a sausage balls recipe featuring Tony Chachere's.

     

    bowl of Cajun macaroni salad made with Tony Chachere's creole seasoning

    Will you give this Cajun macaroni salad recipe a try? I hope you're looking forward to summer as much as I am. 

    Questions? Let me know in the comments!

    This delicious Cajun pasta salad makes the perfect summer meal! It's made with Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning and Tony's Chicken Marinade.

    Cajun Pasta Salad

    This Cajun pasta salad recipe will brighten up any summer potluck, picnic, or BBQ! It has tender marinated chicken and a zesty creamy dressing.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course Salad
    Cuisine Cajun/Creole
    Servings 6
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients
     

    Salad:

    • 2 chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces
    • 1/2 cup Tony Chachere's Creole Style Chicken Marinade
    • 2.5 cups uncooked macaroni
    • 1/2 small red onion chopped
    • 1 cup little tomatoes (grape, cherry) halved
    • 1/2 red bell pepper chopped
    • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped

    Dressing:

    • 1/2 cup mayo
    • 1/2 cup sour cream
    • 1 teaspoon horseradish
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
    • 1 clove garlic minced
    • 1 teaspoon Tony Chachere's Original Creole Seasoning

    Instructions
     

    • If using chicken in this pasta salad, cut it up and add it to a bowl with Tony's Creole Style Chicken Marinade. Give it a good stir, then cover the bowl and refrigerate it for 30 minutes.
    • Cook your pasta. Once it's done, rinse it with cool water and drain it thoroughly before adding it to a large bowl.
    • Meanwhile, prep your other ingredients and make the dressing. Combine the dressing ingredients in a medium bowl until smooth (mayo, sour cream, horseradish, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and Tony's Creole Seasoning).
    • Once the chicken is done marinating, add it to a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until the chicken is done (about 5-6 minutes), stirring fairly often. Take it off the heat and let it cool a bit.
    • It's time to assemble your pasta salad! Add the remaining salad ingredients (onion, tomatoes, peppers, parsley), along with the chicken (spoon it out of the pan leaving any extra marinade behind) and dressing to the macaroni. Give it a good stir. You can eat it immediately or chill (make sure it's covered) for an hour first.

    Notes

    • Feel free to add extra veggies or some cheese to this pasta salad if you wish!
    • I garnished this pasta salad with scallions, but that step is optional. 
    • This salad will last for a few days in the fridge.
    • Serves 6+
    Keyword Cajun pasta salad recipe, Creole pasta salad
    Author Natasha Bull
    « Parmesan, Mushroom, and Spinach Gnocchi Soup
    Crockpot Honey Mustard Pork Chops »

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    1. Ashley says

      May 3, 2019 at 7:03 AM

      Can you eat this warm?

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 3, 2019 at 7:50 AM

        Hi Ashley! You could definitely eat it right after adding the chicken (it'll still be a bit warm), but I think if you were to heat it up, the dressing may separate.

        Reply
    2. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says

      May 1, 2019 at 11:42 AM

      This pasta salad looks amazing!!! LOVE!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 1, 2019 at 12:26 PM

        Thank you so much!

        Reply
    3. Matt Robinson says

      May 1, 2019 at 9:46 AM

      That seasoning and marinade sounds like the perfect combo! This is so perfect for every summer picnic.

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 1, 2019 at 12:26 PM

        Thanks Matt!!

        Reply
    4. Leigh Ann says

      May 1, 2019 at 9:40 AM

      We love Tony's! What a perfect summer BBQ side dish!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 1, 2019 at 12:26 PM

        Thank you!!

        Reply
    5. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

      May 1, 2019 at 9:38 AM

      5 stars
      I want to grab a fork and dig right in Natasha! This looks packed with flavor and absolutely delicious. You know what a fan I am of Tony's too!

      Reply
      • Natasha says

        May 1, 2019 at 12:27 PM

        Thank you Mary Ann! Yes, I love your recipes using their products. 🙂

        Reply

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    Hi! I'm Natasha. Salt & Lavender is a recipe blog with a focus on delicious comfort food using everyday ingredients. Beat the weekday grind with hundreds of easy-to-follow and hassle-free recipes!  Read more...

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