Chilled Chicken Noodle Salad (Print Version)

Tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and noodles blended with a flavorful sesame dressing for a cool, light dish.

# Ingredient List:

→ Noodles & Protein

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

# Steps:

01 - Cook noodles according to package instructions. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside.
02 - In a large bowl, mix shredded chicken, cooked noodles, carrot, bell pepper, cucumber, spring onions, and cilantro.
03 - Whisk together sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, peanut butter, ginger, garlic, and chili flakes in a small bowl until smooth.
04 - Pour dressing over salad mixture and toss until evenly coated.
05 - Transfer to serving dishes. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and add lime wedges if desired. Serve immediately or chill up to 2 hours.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • It's ready in about 35 minutes and tastes even better if you make it ahead and let the flavors get cozy in the fridge.
  • The sesame dressing is silky and complex without requiring any obscure ingredients or special techniques.
  • It's naturally dairy-free, endlessly customizable, and somehow makes you feel like you're eating something restaurant-quality at home.
02 -
  • Don't skip the cold water rinse for the noodles—warm noodles release starch and turn everything into a sticky mess.
  • The dressing will thicken slightly as it sits, especially if your peanut butter is thick to begin with, so whisk in a touch more water if needed when you're ready to serve.
  • Toast your sesame seeds yourself if you have time; the difference between toasted and raw is the difference between a good salad and a memorable one.
03 -
  • Shred your chicken while it's still slightly warm if you're cooking it fresh; it'll be infinitely easier than trying to shred cooled chicken.
  • The dressing is honestly good enough to keep in a jar for other purposes—drizzle it over steamed broccoli, rice bowls, or roasted vegetables and suddenly you have dinner.
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