Chilled Chicken Noodle Salad (Printable Version)

Cold salad featuring shredded chicken, crisp vegetables, and sesame dressing for light, flavorful meals.

# Ingredient List:

→ Noodles & Protein

01 - 9 oz thin egg noodles or rice noodles
02 - 2 cooked chicken breasts, shredded (10 oz)

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 medium carrot, julienned
04 - 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
05 - 1 cucumber, deseeded and julienned
06 - 2 spring onions, sliced
07 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Sesame Dressing

08 - 3 tbsp toasted sesame oil
09 - 2 tbsp soy sauce
10 - 2 tbsp rice vinegar
11 - 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
12 - 1 tbsp smooth peanut butter or tahini
13 - 1 tsp grated fresh ginger
14 - 1 garlic clove, minced
15 - 1 tsp chili flakes (optional)

→ Garnish

16 - 2 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
17 - Lime wedges (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Prepare noodles following package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water; set aside.
02 - In a large bowl, mix shredded chicken, noodles, carrot, bell pepper, cucumber, spring onions, and cilantro evenly.
03 - Whisk together sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, peanut butter, ginger, garlic, and chili flakes in a small bowl until smooth.
04 - Gently pour dressing over salad mixture and toss to evenly coat all components.
05 - Transfer to serving dish or individual bowls; top with toasted sesame seeds and lime wedges if desired.
06 - Serve immediately or refrigerate up to 2 hours before serving to enhance flavors.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 35 minutes, which means you can have lunch ready before the heat of the day really sets in.
  • The sesame dressing is so addictive that you'll find yourself making it for other dishes too.
  • Everything can be prepped ahead and tossed together just before serving, making it perfect for entertaining without stress.
02 -
  • Rinse your cooked noodles thoroughly under cold water, or the starch will make everything gluey as it sits.
  • Deseed your cucumber before julienning it, or your salad will turn into soup within an hour of refrigeration.
  • The dressing can be made up to a day ahead, but don't dress the salad until just before serving or it will get soggy.
03 -
  • Toast your own sesame seeds in a dry skillet for 2 minutes if you only have raw ones—the difference in flavor is worth the two minutes of attention.
  • If your peanut butter is too thick to whisk smoothly, thin it slightly with a teaspoon of warm water before mixing into the dressing.
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