Tangy Asian Sesame Chicken & Noodle Salad

Asian Sesame Chicken & Noodle Salad made easy with angel hair pasta, diced chicken, cucumber & green apple all tossed in a tangy sesame lime dressing!

Use up your leftover chicken and veggies for an easy upgrade with this simple and light dinner recipe. Serve it up as an easy side dish or as the main meal, either way it is sure to be satisfyingly good!

Cold Asian Noodle Salad

I got this recipe from an old magazine To save on time, I used store-bought rotisserie chicken. I de-boned the chicken, then just let it cool on the cutting board while I prepared the noodles and dressing. So when it was served, it wasn’t cold per se, just cool. The leftovers the next day were even better since the flavors in the dressing had time to meld. Sometimes eating a cold meal on a hot summer’s day just hits the spot!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS COLD PASTA RECIPE

• It’s easy to make! This recipe is very simple to follow along with, making it a quick and easy dish to whip up for a casual weekday dinner, parties or get togethers.
• Basic ingredients. You do not need much to make this recipe, but you will need a few items. You will be surprised how many ingredients you already have in your kitchen.
• 30 minutes or less. With a little prep and a fast cook time, you can easily have this recipe completed in about 30 minutes or less. Then let it chill while you prepare the rest of the meal items.

Asian chicken noodle salad ingredients

Pasta: You will need a 10 ounce box of angel hair pasta or some capellini pasta. Other pastas will work fine as well, but I like the way that these look.

Sesame Oil: Use 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame oil for added flavor.

Apple: You will need 1 granny smith apple that has been cut into wedges and thinly sliced. Other apple varieties will work as well, you can use whatever you have on hand or your favorite type.

Cucumber: To help give this dish light flavor and some crunch, add in ½ of a seedless cucumber that has been cut into half moon-sized pieces. You could also sub them out for fresh snap peas instead.

Scallions: For more yummy flavor, add in 2 thinly sliced scallions.

Chicken: Add in 2 ½ cups of shredded chicken for a boost of protein. I like to use rotisserie chicken to make this recipe super easy to throw together. Or, if you have chicken at home you want to use…give this recipe for shredded chicken a try to simplify the process.

Mint: Adding in ¼ cup of fresh mint leaves is optional but if you choose to add it, you will want them to be thinly sliced.

For the dressing you will need:

Lime juice: Adding in ¼ cup of fresh lime juice will really help to make this salad taste light and refreshing. This is about the amount of juice you get from 3 limes.

Brown sugar: Use 2 tablespoons of light brown sugar for added depth of flavor and sweetness to cut down on the acidity.

Sesame Oil: You will need another 2 tablespoons of sesame oil for the dressing.

Vinegar: For added tangy goodness, you will want to use 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar.

Chili: Use 1 red chili or ½ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes for an added kick of spice.

Salt and pepper: Add in ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper, you can add more once on your plate if needed.

Storing Leftovers

One of the best things about this salad is that the leftovers the next day are even better since the flavors in the dressing have time to meld together. That makes it perfect for meal prep, potlucks, and make-ahead summer dinners.

Storing leftovers: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The noodles will continue to absorb the dressing as the salad sits, so leftovers may be a little dry — add an extra squeeze of fresh lime juice and a small drizzle of sesame oil to refresh them. The apple may brown slightly but the flavor stays intact.

For potlucks and parties: This salad travels beautifully. Pack the dressed salad in one container and bring a small jar of extra dressing on the side to toss in right before serving. It feeds a crowd without requiring any reheating or last-minute cooking.

How long is Asian chicken and noodles good for?

This dish is really best when freshly made because after that the apples will begin to brown and the cucumbers will soften. That said, leftovers can be stored in a well covered container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

Do I eat this pasta cold or warm?

You can eat it either way! I prefer to enjoy this dish when it’s room temperature or slightly chilled, but eating it while the noodles are still hot and warm is also a great way to give a nice contrast between the colder veggies and apple pieces.

Asian Chicken Pasta Salad Variations:

Make it a peanut dressing version: Whisk two tablespoons of creamy peanut butter into the dressing for a richer, nutty flavor profile. Add crushed peanuts on top for crunch. If you have a peanut allergy, almond butter or cashew butter work equally well, or use tahini for a nut-free option.

Add more vegetables: This salad is a great way to use up whatever is in the refrigerator. Shredded red cabbage adds beautiful color and crunch, julienned carrots add sweetness, edamame adds protein, and sugar snap peas add a satisfying snap. Sliced avocado on top right before serving adds creaminess that balances the bright dressing.

Change the noodles: Rice noodles keep it light and gluten-free, but ramen noodles, soba noodles, or even regular spaghetti all work well — use whatever you have on hand. Each noodle type gives the salad a slightly different character.

Make it vegetarian: Skip the chicken entirely and add extra cucumber and apple, plus a handful of edamame for protein. The dressing is flavorful enough to carry the salad without meat.

Swap the protein: Shrimp, thinly sliced flank steak, or tofu all work beautifully in place of chicken. For shrimp, a quick 2-minute sauté in sesame oil is all it needs.

Check out these other great Asian inspired recipes:

• ASIAN BBQ CHICKEN WONTONS
• MONGOLIAN BEEF & VEGETABLES
• ORANGE CHICKEN RECIPE
• COCONUT RICE
• CASHEW CHICKEN STIR FRY
• EASY BEEF & BROCCOLI
• BASIL CHICKEN SALAD
• HAWAIIAN CHICKEN SALAD
• ALMOND CHICKEN SALAD
• CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD
• EASY CHICKEN FRIED RICE RECIPE

Asian Chicken & Noodle Salad a delightful and simple meal, great for any occasion or day of the week. Loaded with amazing flavors of lime, cucumber, apple, and chicken this easy quick meal is so tasty.