Creamy Chicken and Ham Macaroni Salad

This Filipino macaroni salad has both chicken and ham for double the protein and flavor. The all purpose cream makes it extra rich and creamy. Sweet pineapple, crunchy vegetables, and melted cheese throughout. This is what I make for Christmas and big family gatherings.

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I make this Creamy Chicken and Ham Macaroni Salad every Christmas, and it has become one of those dishes people immediately recognize once it hits the table. This version is richer than most macaroni salads because I use mayonnaise together with all purpose cream. The cream gives the salad a smooth, silky texture, and people almost always comment on how creamy it is.

 

Unlike other macaroni salad recipes that rely on a single protein, this Creamy Chicken and Ham Macaroni Salad uses both chicken and ham. I learned early on that dishes with more substance perform better, both at parties and in real food service settings.

Sweet pineapple and raisins balance the savory chicken and ham, while carrots and bell peppers add crunch. I dice everything small so each bite has a little bit of everything.

What Is Creamy Chicken and Ham Macaroni Salad

Creamy Chicken and Ham Macaroni Salad is a Filipino style pasta salad made with elbow macaroni, diced chicken breast, ham, fruits, vegetables, and a rich dressing made from mayonnaise and all purpose cream. Filipino macaroni salad is known for being sweeter and creamier than Western versions, often appearing during holidays, birthdays, and large gatherings.

This version keeps the sweetness balanced by relying on pineapple and raisins rather than heavy condensed milk. The addition of both chicken and ham makes the dish filling enough to serve as more than just a side.

Why This Recipe Works

Two proteins add substance
Chicken provides mild flavor that absorbs the dressing well, while ham adds saltiness and depth. This is what makes Creamy Chicken and Ham Macaroni Salad filling enough for parties and potlucks.

Mayonnaise and all purpose cream create better texture
Mayonnaise alone can feel heavy. The cream lightens the texture while keeping it rich and smooth.

Sweet and savory are properly balanced
Pineapple and raisins bring sweetness, while cheese, chicken, and ham ground the dish with savory notes.

Uniform small cuts improve every bite
Dicing everything evenly ensures consistent flavor and texture from start to finish.

Ingredients You Need

For the salad

Boneless chicken breast – lean protein that blends smoothly with the dressing

Elbow macaroni – classic pasta shape that holds creamy sauce well

Ham – salty and smoky contrast to sweet ingredients

Nestlé All Purpose Cream – key to the silky creamy texture

Pineapple tidbits – sweet and slightly tangy balance

Green bell pepper – fresh crunch

Carrots – color, sweetness, and texture

Red onion – mild sharpness

Raisins – bursts of sweetness

Sweet pickle relish – tangy sweetness that cuts richness

Pimiento – color and mild flavor

Cheddar cheese – savory depth

For the dressing

Mayonnaise – base of the dressing

Onion powder – savory background flavor

Garlic powder – mild aromatic depth

Salt – essential seasoning

Ground black pepper – subtle heat

Cook the macaroni
Bring 2 quarts of water to a boil with salt. Cook elbow macaroni until al dente, then drain and allow to cool.

Cook the chicken
Boil the chicken breast in fresh water until fully cooked. Let it cool slightly before dicing into small cubes.

Season the pasta
Combine cooled macaroni with mayonnaise, salt, and ground black pepper. Fold gently until coated.

Add the proteins and mix ins
Add chicken, ham, pineapple, bell pepper, carrots, red onion, raisins, sweet pickle relish, pimiento, onion powder, and garlic powder. Fold carefully.

Add the cream and cheese
Pour in Nestlé All Purpose Cream and add grated cheddar cheese. Fold until evenly creamy.

Chill the salad
Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour or overnight for best results.

Serve cold
Transfer to a serving bowl and add extra cheese if desired.

Best Ways to Enjoy

Serve this Creamy Chicken and Ham Macaroni Salad cold alongside hot and crispy dishes. The contrast in temperature and texture makes it especially satisfying at parties and family gatherings.

Use heavy cream or half and half if all purpose cream is unavailable

Replace ham with leftover holiday ham or spam

Add condensed milk for a sweeter Filipino style version

Fold in chopped hard boiled eggs for additional protein

Swap bell peppers with celery for a milder crunch

Storage and Leftovers

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days

Add cream or mayonnaise if the salad looks dry

Do not freeze as the dressing will separate

What to Have with It

Pancit – A savory noodle dish that balances the creaminess of the salad

Chicken Lumpia – Crispy rolls that add texture contrast

Embutido – A hearty sliced meat dish that completes a party spread

The salad looks dry after sitting in the fridge overnight. Is it ruined?

No, this is normal. The macaroni absorbs the dressing. Add 3 to 4 tablespoons of Nestlé cream or mayo and fold it in gently. Keep adding a little at a time until it looks creamy again. I always keep extra cream on hand for this reason.

I don’t have Nestlé cream. What can I use instead?

Use heavy cream or table cream. Same amount, 250 ml. Heavy cream works best because it’s thick. Don’t use evaporated milk or regular milk. They’re too thin. If you only have sour cream, use half sour cream and half mayo, but the taste will be tangier.

How do I keep this cold at an outdoor party?

Serve it in a bowl set inside a larger bowl filled with ice. Replace the ice every hour. Or keep the main batch in a cooler and only put out half at a time. Refill the serving bowl from the cooler. Macaroni salad with meat can’t sit out more than 2 hours in warm weather.

Can I prep the ingredients ahead and mix everything later?

Yes. Cook the chicken and macaroni up to 2 days ahead. Store them separately in the fridge. Dice all the vegetables and store in containers. Mix everything together 3 to 4 hours before serving. This works well when you’re busy the day of the party.

The cheese isn’t melting into the salad. What happened?

You used pre-shredded cheese. It has anti-caking powder that stops it from melting. Buy a block of cheddar and grate it yourself. Also make sure the macaroni is still slightly warm when you add the cheese. If everything is cold from the fridge, the cheese won’t soften.

This is the Creamy Chicken and Ham Macaroni Salad I bring to potlucks because people always ask for the recipe. The use of all purpose cream makes it stand out, while the balance of flavors keeps it from feeling heavy.

Try this recipe and let me know your thoughts.