Chilled Chicken Noodle Salad (Print View)

Tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and sesame dressing combine with noodles for a refreshing cold dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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)

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - Cook noodles following package directions, drain, rinse with cold water, then set aside.
02 - In a large bowl, mix shredded chicken, cooked noodles, carrot, bell pepper, cucumber, spring onions, and cilantro.
03 - Whisk together toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, peanut butter, grated ginger, minced garlic, and chili flakes until smooth.
04 - Pour the dressing over the combined ingredients and toss gently to coat evenly.
05 - Transfer to serving platter or bowls; garnish with toasted sesame seeds and lime wedges if desired.
06 - Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving to enhance flavors.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The sesame dressing hits every perfect note at once nutty tangy slightly sweet and impossibly savory
  • You can make it ahead and it actually tastes better after the flavors mingle in the fridge
  • Its that rare cold dish that feels like a complete meal not a side dish pretending to be dinner
02 -
  • The salad absorbs dressing as it sits so keep a little extra aside to refresh leftovers
  • Rinse your noodles under cold water until they are completely cold or they will continue cooking and get mushy
  • Do not skip toasting the sesame seeds it takes 2 minutes and transforms them from garnish to flavor booster
03 -
  • Use a julienne peeler for the carrots and cucumber much faster than hand cutting and you get perfect uniform strands
  • Double the dressing and keep the extra in a jar for quick lunches throughout the week
  • If making ahead add the cucumber and fresh herbs right before serving so they stay crisp
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