Every Filipino household has a version of macaroni salad. Sometimes it’s sweet with fruit cocktail, sometimes it’s savory with chicken. For me, it’s the ultimate tipid hack: when there’s leftover lechon manok on the table, it turns into a creamy macaroni salad for the next day’s baon.
What I love most is how flexible it is. It works as a packed lunch, a party side dish, or even a midnight snack straight from the ref. And since the kids eat it cold, it doubles as baon with fruit and cookies—exactly what you see in the lunchbox photo here.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast, shredded or leftover lechon manok
- 200g macaroni or penne pasta
- 1 cup frozen green peas (or carrots)
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
- 2 cups mayonnaise
- ½ cup all-purpose cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
- 1 medium carrot, diced
- 1 small red onion, minced (optional, for bite)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta. Boil macaroni until al dente. Drain and cool.
- Prep the chicken. Shred plain chicken breast or leftover lechon manok.
- Combine ingredients. Add chicken, peas, chopped egg, carrots, and onion into a mixing bowl.
- Stir in mayonnaise and cream until well coated. Season with salt and pepper.
- Chill. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving for best flavor.
- Serve.
Notes
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- Add pineapple tidbits if you want a sweet-savory twist.
- Swap peas for corn if that’s what you have on hand.
- To make it more pang-handa, top with grated cheese before serving.
Why Moms Love This
It’s one of those recipes that saves time, saves money, and still feels festive. One leftover lechon manok can transform into a creamy macaroni salad that’s good for merienda, baon, or even Noche Buena.
For me, pasta—whether it’s spaghetti or macaroni—has always been a lifesaver in those seasons when money feels tight. A single pack stretches into several meals, feeds the kids without complaint, and turns whatever leftover chicken or lechon manok I have into something that feels new. It’s that pantry staple that has saved me more times than I can count, especially during end-of-the-month budgeting when every peso needs to work double. And it’s not just about saving money. Pasta feels comforting when the wallet is thin. A creamy bowl of macaroni or a sweet-style spaghetti somehow makes the day softer, like a small luxury we can afford.
Sometimes the simplest recipes are the ones that keep families full and happy.
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