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    Home » Puerto Rican Recipes » Ensalada de Coditos

    Published: Apr 12, 2020 Modified: Jun 10, 2023 by Catherine Arena 10 Comments

    Ensalada de Coditos

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    Creamy, easy and delicious Ensalada de Coditos con Pollo.
    Creamy, easy and delicious Ensalada de Coditos con Pollo.

    This Ensalada de Coditos (con Pollo), Macaroni Salad (with Chicken) also known as Coditos Pasta, Pasta de Coditos or plain old Coditos is yummy, easy and simply made with just a few ingredients and can be on your dinner table in 30 minutes or less!  Depending how fast you chop those onions!😄

    Ensalada de Coditos in a white bowl topped with chopped scallions.

    In Latin culture it is common place to serve ensalada de coditos (macaroni salad) along with ensalada de papa (potato salad) throughout the year especially on the holidays.

    It is not a dish that is served solely for the summer or at BBQ’s or just served buffet style for a gathering.

    That may be due to the simplicity these salads provide us.

    In 30 minutes or so, you have a delicious salad that’s inexpensive and goes a long way!

    Especially helpful when you have a large family or group to feed.

    And this here Ensalada de Coditos is especially simplistic with only 5 ingredients that you currently most likely already have at home!

    Ensalada de Coditos in a white bowl topped with chopped scallions.

    Due keep in mind, this is not your traditional macaroni salad that you may be used too.  

    There is no vinegar, no mustard, no sweet pickle juice, no sugar and it doesn’t need to sit for a few hours for all the flavors to meld either.

    It is quick, simple but delicious!

    What Can I Add to Ensalada de Coditos

    Ingredients to make ensalada de coditos in a caldero ready to mix together.

    What’s wonderful about this salad is its simplicity of ingredients.

    With just a few ingredients you can bring this salad together.

    You don’t need peas, carrots, celery, broccoli, ham and a whole bunch of other extras.

    And truthfully with what the world is going through these days, the simpler the ingredients the better, right?

    But one thing is for sure, we never want bland food!

    So although this ensalada has a few ingredients, don’t let that fool you!

    Ensalada de Coditos in a white bowl topped with chopped scallions.

    Although, no worries, if the mood strikes you and you would like to add even more yummy goodness, well here are some ideas:

    Toppings

    • Chopped ham cubes
    • Canned tuna
    • Peas
    • Carrots
    • Broccoli 
    • Celery
    • Boiled eggs
    • Green, red or yellow chopped bell pepper
    • Scallions
    • Red onions
    Ensalada de Coditos in a white bowl topped with chopped scallions.

    Ingredients You Will Need

    • ½ lb macaroni elbow pasta
    • 1 chicken breast
    • mayonnaisse
    • red onion
    • scallions
    • paprika
    • salt and pepper to taste

    How to Make Ensalada de Coditos con Pollo

    Cook both chicken and pasta at the same time in separate pots.

    For Chicken:

    Rinse and cut up the chicken breast into 3 large pieces (cooks quicker!)

    Add enough water to a saucepan to cover chicken breast and cook for 15 -20 minutes over medium high heat.

    Turn off stove and drain water from saucepan. Allow chicken to cool on a cutting board for a few minutes.

    Using two forks, shred chicken or use a knife and cut chicken into small cubes.

    For Pasta:

    Simply follow cooking instructions on box.

    Once pasta is cooked, drain water and allow to cool for a few minutes.

    Veggies:

    Chop the scallions and red onion.

    Ingredients to make ensalada de coditos in a caldero ready to mix together.

    Once pasta has cooled for a few minutes (I like to let it cool for a few minutes before adding mayonnaise):

    In a large bowl or cool pot, mix the pasta, chicken, mayonnaise, red onion and scallions.

    Add a little salt and pepper to taste.

    Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle some paprika on top.

    Done!

    Serve immediately or cover and allow to cool in the refrigerator.

    How Long Will Ensalada Last in Refrigerator

    If you and your family do not gobble up the ensalada all in one day, simply cover with saran wrap and place in refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    NOTE: When serving the next day, you may want to add a little more mayonnaise to burst the creaminess again.

    Can I Freeze Ensalada de Coditos

    No, I do not advise to freeze this salad as freezing will change the consistency and alter the taste of the salad.

    That’s it folks, I hope you love and enjoy this yummy, tasty salad.

    Ensalada de Coditos in a white bowl topped with chopped scallions.

    For more yummy side dishes, you will also love these:

    Tortitas de Papa (Potato Fritters)

    Platanos Fritos (Puerto Rican Sweet Plantains)

    Garlic Tostones (Fried Green Plantains)

    Sorullitos (Fried Corn Sticks)

    Did you try this recipe? Please leave a ⭐ review below!

    Click any of the images in the post to PIN this Recipe and don’t forget to follow along on Pinterest and Facebook.

    📖 Recipe

    Ensalada de Coditos in a white bowl topped with chopped scallions.

    Ensalada de Coditos (con Pollo)

    This Ensalada de Coditos (con Pollo), Macaroni Salad (with Chicken) also known as Coditos Pasta, Pasta de Coditos or plain old Coditos is yummy, easy and simply made with just a few ingredients and can be on your dinner table in 30 minutes or less!  Depending how fast you chop those onions!
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: Puerto Rican
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 207kcal
    Author: Catherine Arena

    Ingredients

    • ½ lb elbow pasta
    • 1 chicken breast boiled, shredded or chopped into small cubes
    • 1 cup mayonnaise
    • ¼-1/3 cup red onion chopped
    • 2 scallions rinsed and chopped
    • paprika sprinkled
    • salt and pepper to taste

    Instructions

    Chicken

    • Cook both chicken and pasta at the same time in separate pots.
      Rinse and cut up the chicken breast into 3 large pieces (cooks quicker!)
      Add enough water to a saucepan to cover chicken breast and cook for 15 -20 minutes over medium high heat.
      Turn off stove and drain water from saucepan. Allow chicken to cool on a cutting board for a few minutes.
      Using two forks, shred chicken or use a knife and cut chicken into small cubes.

    Pasta

    • Simply follow cooking instructions on box.
      Once pasta is cooked, drain water and allow to cool for a few minutes.
    • Once pasta has cooled for a few minutes (I like to let it cool for a few minutes before adding mayonnaise):
      In a large bowl or pot, mix the pasta, chicken, mayonnaise, chopped red onions and scallions.
      Add a little salt and pepper to taste.
       
    • Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle some paprika on top.
      Done!
      Serve immediately or cover and allow to cool in the refrigerator.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 8 | Calories: 207kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 23mg | Sodium: 244mg | Potassium: 192mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 58IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Click the stars above or below to rate or leave a comment down below!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Soniya says

      May 15, 2020 at 2:31 pm

      This looks so refreshing and full of amazing flavors. Perfect for summer brunch!

      Reply
      • Cathy says

        May 15, 2020 at 8:15 pm

        Yes it is Soniya!

        Reply
    2. Toni says

      May 15, 2020 at 11:00 am

      So good and delicious! My family loved it!

      Reply
      • Cathy says

        May 15, 2020 at 8:14 pm

        That’s great to hear Toni!

        Reply
    3. Kushigalu says

      May 15, 2020 at 10:48 am

      Something new to me but I love the ingredients used in the recipe. Delicious. Pinned!

      Reply
      • Cathy says

        May 15, 2020 at 8:14 pm

        Thanks Kushigalu!

        Reply
    4. Lisa Huff says

      May 15, 2020 at 10:46 am

      Chicken in macaroni salad?! YES, please! Love how quick and easy this is with not a lot of ingredients.

      Reply
      • Cathy says

        May 15, 2020 at 8:13 pm

        Thanks Lisa! Yes, I love chicken in coditos!

        Reply
    5. Pam Greer says

      May 15, 2020 at 10:08 am

      Simpler really is best and this salad is proof of that! We’ve been having it for lunch regularly. We love it!

      Reply
      • Cathy says

        May 15, 2020 at 8:12 pm

        Thanks Pam! We both can certainly agree, simple ingredients never has to mean lack of flavor ever!

        Reply
    5 from 7 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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