Kitchen notes · a little help before you start
Cajun Pasta Salad
Creamy Cajun pasta salad has a lively bite, with tender chicken and little pieces of fresh pepper among the macaroni. Horseradish gives the dressing an extra edge against the sweet tomatoes. It's an inviting plate when a cool pasta salad with plenty of savory flavor sounds good.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Total
- 40 min
- Original yield
- Serves 6
- Ingredients
- 14 listed
Make it part of your week
Recipe categories & planning details
- Meal type
- Main course
- Primary protein
- Chicken
- Preparation & total time
- Prep: 16–30 minutes · Total: 31–60 minutes
- Dish type
- Salads · Pasta salad · Pasta
A few quick notes
1. Rinse and drain pasta
Rinse the cooked macaroni with cool water and drain thoroughly before it goes into the salad bowl.
2. Cool the cooked chicken
Let the cooked chicken cool a little off the heat before combining it with macaroni and dressing.
3. Leave marinade behind
Spoon the cooked chicken out of the skillet for assembly, leaving any extra marinade in the pan.
Get to know the ingredients
Chicken marinade
The chicken pieces are coated in the Creole-style chicken marinade and refrigerated before their skillet cooking.
Horseradish
Horseradish joins mayo and sour cream in the dressing, which is mixed until smooth before assembly.
Small tomatoes
Use halved grape or cherry tomatoes with the chopped onion, pepper and parsley in the finished salad.
Let’s make it
Choose your servings, then check things off as you go.
Original recipe: Serves 6. Original quantities shown.
Check ingredients as you prepare them. These checks stay on this page.
How to make it
0 of 5 steps completeMake room for Cajun Pasta Salad
Review ingredients in your pantry before anything is added. Meal plans use your household size; grocery-only additions use the servings selected above.
The last little job
Enjoy or chill
Stir the salad thoroughly and eat immediately, or cover and chill for the hour offered in the directions.
A little more help as you go
Optional scallions
Scallions are an optional garnish over the finished pasta salad.
More in the bowl
You can add extra vegetables or some cheese to this pasta salad if you'd like.
A few questions you might have
Is the chicken optional?
The directions introduce it as optional; if using it, marinate, cook and cool it before adding to the salad.
Does the dressing need cooking?
No cooking step is given; combine its ingredients in a bowl until smooth before mixing with the salad.
When does the Creole seasoning go in?
Mix it into the creamy dressing with the other dressing ingredients, separately from the chicken marinade.
Can I serve the pasta salad immediately?
Yes, the directions allow eating it right after assembly or covering and chilling it for an hour first.
What should I do while the chicken marinates?
Cook and cool the macaroni, prepare the vegetables and mix the dressing before cooking and adding the chicken.
Any more cooking tips?
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+
Storage & reheating safety
For cooked, perishable leftovers, refrigerate within 2 hours (1 hour above 90°F), using shallow containers for prompt cooling. Keep the refrigerator at 40°F or below, use refrigerated leftovers within 3–4 days, and reheat hot leftovers to 165°F, checked with a food thermometer. Follow any shorter package limit.
These are general safety limits, not a tested storage or freezing recommendation for this particular dish. USDA leftovers guidance · Safe cooking temperatures
Recipe source: saltandlavender.com. Ingredient names and quantities may be adapted for the pantry.
Preparation notes follow the recipe shown here.
