Seafood Macaroni Salad

This isn’t your average macaroni salad. It’s a chilled seafood lover’s dream—creamy, tangy, herb-laced, and loaded with tender grilled shrimp and sweet, luxurious crab. Perfect as a summer side or light main dish, this seafood macaroni salad brings the freshness of the coast right to your table.

Whether you’re planning a cookout, picnic, or weekday lunch, this cold seafood pasta salad checks all the boxes: bold flavor, beautiful presentation, and minimal prep. And thanks to Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise, every bite is rich, smooth, and satisfying.

Why You’re Going to Love This Seafood Macaroni Salad

Elevated and Easy
This dish looks and tastes gourmet but comes together with simple ingredients and just a few easy steps.

Coastal Flavor
Sweet claw crab, delicate lump crab, and perfectly grilled shrimp marinated in creamy mayo make every bite feel like a beachside indulgence.

Herb-Infused Creaminess
A vibrant dressing with lemon juice, Dijon mustard, parsley, and chives ties it all together with fresh flavor and a touch of tang.

Perfect for Make-Ahead Meals
It’s even better after a little time in the fridge, which makes it an ideal prep-ahead option for gatherings or grab-and-go lunches.

Versatile and Crowd-Pleasing
Serve it chilled as a side dish, a light main, or a standout addition to your next summer spread.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Pasta Base
Elbow macaroni or shells cooked until just tender, rinsed in cold water and cooled completely.

Seafood
Grilled shrimp marinated in Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise, lemon zest, garlic, and spices
Jumbo lump crab meat for delicate texture
Claw crab meat for sweet, flavorful depth

Creamy Herb Dressing
Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise for a rich, velvety base
Celery, red onion, and bell peppers for crunch and color
Dijon mustard and lemon juice for brightness
Parsley, chives, and celery seed for fresh herbal notes
Salt and pepper to taste

How to Make It

Grill the Shrimp
Toss peeled and deveined shrimp with mayonnaise, garlic, lemon zest, paprika, salt, and pepper. Let it marinate briefly while you preheat your grill.
Grill the shrimp until slightly charred and opaque, then let them cool completely.

Make the Dressing
In a large bowl, stir together the mayonnaise, celery, red onion, bell pepper, Dijon, lemon juice, parsley, chives, and celery seed. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Assemble the Salad
Add the cooled pasta to the bowl with the dressing. Toss in the grilled shrimp and claw crab meat. Gently fold in the jumbo lump crab to keep it whole and delicate.
Top with a dusting of paprika and a sprinkle of fresh chives.

Serving and Storage Tips

Serve this salad cold with lemon wedges on the side. It pairs beautifully with grilled vegetables, corn on the cob, or buttery crackers.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. For best texture and flavor, enjoy within two to three days. Stir before serving.

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Seafood Macaroni Salad

Tender macaroni pasta, succulent grilled shrimp marinated in Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise, delicate jumbo lump and claw crab meat for a luxurious seafood experience. The vibrant, herb-infused mayonnaise dressing ties it all together with just the right balance of tang, crunch, and freshness. Whether you’re serving it as a side or a light main, this salad is guaranteed to become a staple in your summer recipe rotation.

Course brunch, dinner, lunch

Cuisine American

Keyword macaroni salad, pasta salad, seafood

Prep Time 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Author kingcooks

Ingredients

• 1 lb elbow macaroni or shells, cooked al dente, rinse in cold water and set aside to cool
• 8 oz jumbo lump crab meat
• 4 oz crab claw meat

Grilled Shrimp

• 1 lb shrimp peeled and deveined
• 1/4 cup Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise
• 1 tsp garlic minced or paste
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper

Creamy Dressing

• 1 /12 to 2 cups Hellmann’s Real Mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup celery finely chopped
• 1/4 cup red onion finely chopped
• 1/4 cup bell peppers finely chopped
• 2 tbsp dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp parsley finely chopped
• 2 tbsp chives finely chopped
• 1 tsp celery seed
• Salt to taste
• Pepper taste

Instructions

Grilled Shrimp

• Pre-heat grill to 400F.
• In a large bowl add all ingredients listed under “Grilled Shrimp.” Mix throughly and all to marinate for 10-15 minutes.
• Grill the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on both sides until slightly charred and opaque.
• Once cooked, set aside to cool completely.

Creamy Dressing

• In a large bowl combine all ingredients listed under “Creamy Dressing.” Mix thoroughly and set aside.

Assemble

• To the large bowl with the creamy dressing, add the cooked pasta of your choice, the crab claw meant and cooled grilled shrimp. Once combined, gently fold in the jumbo lump crab meat.
• Garnish with chives and a light dusting of paprika. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Flaky, buttery croissants embrace the crisp perfection of golden-fried chicken, a luscious homemade Caesar dressing, and a crunchy panko topping in this indulgent Chicken Caesar Salad Croissant. Every bite is an irresistible mix of creamy, crispy, and savory flavors, making it a must-try for brunch, lunch, or a satisfying dinner.

Chicken Caesar, The Only Way!

Why You’re Going to Love This Recipe

• Flaky, Buttery Croissants – A luxurious upgrade from regular bread, adding rich, buttery flavor to every bite.
• Crispy, Juicy Chicken – Marinated and fried to golden perfection, delivering maximum crunch and tenderness.
• Homemade Caesar Dressing – Bold, creamy, and packed with umami, elevating the classic salad flavors.
• Crunchy Panko Topping – Lightly toasted for an extra layer of crispy texture.
• Perfectly Balanced Flavors – A delicious mix of savory, tangy, creamy, and crunchy in every bite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Croissants – Buttery and flaky, the perfect base.
• Romaine Lettuce – Fresh and crisp, ideal for the salad.
• Parmesan Cheese – Adds a rich, nutty depth of flavor.
• Canola Oil – For frying the chicken to crispy perfection.

For the Chicken Marinade

• Chicken thighs, egg, and a blend of seasonings create a flavorful base.
• A mix of flour and cornstarch ensures an ultra-crispy coating.
• Soy sauce and sesame oil add a savory depth.

For the Caesar Dressing

• A rich blend of egg, olive oil, Parmesan, anchovies, garlic, and seasonings for a bold, creamy dressing.

For the Toasted Panko

• Light, crispy breadcrumbs toasted in butter for a crunchy finish.

How to Make It (VIDEO)

Marinate the Chicken

In a large bowl, mix all the marinade ingredients until fully combined. Coat each piece of chicken in the light batter and let it marinate for at least 20 minutes.

Toast the Panko

Melt butter in a pan over medium-low heat. Add the panko and a pinch of salt, stirring continuously until golden brown. Set aside.

Make the Caesar Dressing

Blend all the dressing ingredients until smooth and creamy. Season with salt to taste and set aside.

Fry the Chicken

Heat oil in a large pot to 350°F. Carefully add the marinated chicken pieces and fry until golden and crispy. Transfer to a wire rack.

Assemble the Sandwiches

In a bowl, toss the chopped romaine with Caesar dressing, toasted panko, and shaved Parmesan.

Spread a generous layer of Caesar dressing on the toasted bottom halves of the croissants. Place a crispy chicken thigh on each, followed by the dressed Caesar salad, extra Parmesan, and more dressing. Finish with the top halves of the croissants.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

How to Store & Reheat

• Storage – Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the fridge. Keep croissants and salad separate to maintain freshness.
• Reheating – Reheat the chicken in an oven or air fryer until crispy. Assemble fresh for the best experience.

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Crispy Chicken Caesar Sandwich

Flaky, buttery croissants meet the crisp, savory goodness of a classic Chicken Caesar Salad in this indulgent sandwich. Each bite delivers layers of flavor—perfectly seasoned, golden-fried chicken, a rich and tangy homemade Caesar dressing, and crunchy toasted panko for extra texture. Finished with a shower of shaved Parmesan and tucked into a warm, toasty croissant, this is the ultimate upgrade to a beloved classic. Whether for brunch, lunch, or a casual dinner, this Chicken Caesar Salad Croissant is pure comfort with a gourmet touch.

Course chicken, Main Course, sandwiches

Cuisine American

Keyword avocado ranch dressing, caesar, crispy chicken, croissants, salad

Prep Time 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Author kingcooks

Equipment

• immersion blender

Ingredients

• 4 croissants toasted
• 3 cups romaine lettuce chopped
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese shaved
• Canola oil for frying

Chicken Marinade

• 4-5 chicken thighs boneless skinless
• 1 large egg
• 2 tbsp flour
• 3 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp garlic minced or paste
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Caesar Dressing

• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese shaved
• 2 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
• 3 anchovy fillets
• 1 tbsp garlic minced
• 1 tsp dijon mustard
• 1 tsp red wine vinegar
• 1/2 tsp worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• Salt to taste

Toasted Panko Breadcrumbs

• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

Chicken Marinade

• In a large bowl, add all ingredients listed under “Chicken Marinade” and mix until fully combined.
• Once each piece of chicken is coated in a light batter, set aside to marinate for at least 20 minutes.

Toasted Panko Breadcrumbs

• In a pan over medium-low heat, melt the butter.
• Once melted, add the panko breadcrumbs and a pinch of salt.
• Stir continuously, moving the breadcrumbs around until they turn golden brown, about 3-4 minutes. Once golden, set aside.

Caesar Dressing

• In a blender (or a tall container if using an immersion blender) or food processor, add all ingredients listed under “Caesar Dressing” and blend until smooth.
• Season with salt to taste. Once fully incorporated, set aside.

Assemble

• Heat a large pot of canola oil to 350°F.
• Once the oil is hot, slowly add the marinated chicken pieces and fry until golden brown, about 8-10 minutes.
• Transfer the cooked chicken to a wire rack.
• In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing, toasted panko breadcrumbs, and shaved Parmesan cheese. Mix until well combined, then set aside.
• Spread a generous layer of Caesar dressing on the toasted bottom halves of the croissants.
• Place a crispy chicken thigh on each, followed by a generous portion of Caesar salad, more Parmesan cheese, and extra dressing.
• Finish with the toasted croissant tops.
• Serve immediately and enjoy!

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If you want to read, I might suggest a good book, perhaps Hemingway or Melville. That’s why they call it, the dummy copy. This, of course, is not the real copy for this entry. Rest assured, the words will expand the concept. With clarity. Conviction. And a little wit.

As a result of which, your entry will repay your efforts. Take your sales; simply put, they will rise. Likewise your credibility. There’s every chance your competitors will wish they’d placed this entry, not you. While your customers will have probably forgotten that your competitors even exist. Which brings us, by a somewhat circuitous route, to another small point, but one which we feel should be raised.