Asian Pasta Salad with Chicken (Sesame Ginger)
This cold Asian pasta salad with chicken has a homemade sesame ginger dressing. Ready in 20 minutes and perfect for meal prep, potlucks, and summer dinners.
Equipment
- Large Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 pound dry pasta or noodles (see note)
- 2 heaping cups grilled or cooked chicken, sliced
- 1 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 2 cups cooked, shelled edamame
- 2 mandarin oranges, peeled and segmented
- ¼ cup toasted sliced almonds
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
Sesame Ginger Dressing
- ¼ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- ¼ cup neutral flavored oil, such as avocado or canola
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon sriracha (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the noodles and cook according to package instructions. Strain well and set aside.
- Prepare the Dressing: While the noodles are cooking, in a medium bowl, whisk the soy sauce, lime juice, oil, sesame oil, brown sugar, ginger, garlic, salt, and sriracha (if using) until well combined.
- Prepare the Salad: Add the chicken to a large bowl. Pour over ⅓ cup of the dressing, tossing to combine. Add the warm cooked noodles, then pour over ⅓ cup of the dressing, tossing to coat.
- Add the bell pepper, edamame, mandarin oranges, almonds, and green onions to the noodles.
- Pour over the remaining dressing and toss to combine. Allow to sit for at least 10 minutes for the flavors to combine, tossing again before serving.
I recommend letting the salad sit for at least 10 minutes before serving, as it makes a big difference in how the flavors come together.
Notes
- Pasta: Spaghetti, fettuccini, or fresh egg noodles or udon noodles work best in this recipe. I found in testing that dry ramen didn't stand up as well to the chicken and veggies.
- Chicken: Any pre-cooked chicken (grilled or rotisserie for example) work here, but my citrus marinaded chicken is to-die-for!
Nutrition
Serving: 1 (of 8) | Calories: 462kcal | Carbohydrates: 58g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 478mg | Potassium: 529mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 657IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 75mg | Iron: 3mg
