Chilled Chicken Noodle Salad (Print Version)

Cold pasta featuring shredded chicken, crisp veggies, and a savory sesame dressing, perfect for light meals.

# Components:

→ Noodles & Protein

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

→ 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 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Sesame Dressing

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

→ Garnish

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

# Directions:

01 - Cook noodles according to package instructions. Drain thoroughly, rinse under cold water to cool, then set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, cooked noodles, julienned carrot, sliced red bell pepper, julienned cucumber, sliced spring onions, and chopped cilantro.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, peanut butter or tahini, grated ginger, minced garlic, and optional chili flakes until fully emulsified.
04 - Pour the prepared dressing over the combined ingredients and toss gently but thoroughly to coat all components evenly.
05 - Transfer the salad to a serving platter or individual bowls. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and add lime wedges if desired.
06 - Serve immediately or chill in refrigerator for up to 2 hours to enhance flavors before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes but tastes like you actually worked for it.
  • The sesame dressing is so silky and addictive that you'll want to drizzle it on everything after this.
  • It's equally happy on a picnic blanket or eaten straight from the bowl at your desk.
02 -
  • Don't skip rinsing the noodles in cold water, or they'll stick together into an unappetizing clump that no amount of dressing can salvage.
  • Toast your own sesame seeds if you have five minutes—raw ones taste like nothing, but toasted ones become this magic ingredient that everyone notices.
  • The dressing will thicken slightly as it sits, so if you're making this ahead, you might need to loosen it with a tablespoon of water before serving.
03 -
  • Make the dressing in a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake it vigorously—it emulsifies better that way, and you can store leftovers for up to a week.
  • If you're cooking the chicken yourself, poach it gently in barely simmering water with a pinch of salt and a bay leaf for the most tender result.
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