Chilled Chicken Noodle Salad (Printable)

Cold noodles paired with shredded chicken, crisp vegetables, and a rich sesame dressing for light meals.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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)

# How-To Steps:

01 - Prepare noodles according to package directions, then drain and rinse under cold water; 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 thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
05 - Transfer to serving dishes, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds, and add lime wedges if desired; serve immediately or chill up to 2 hours.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes, which means lunch doesn't feel like a project.
  • The sesame dressing tastes complex and rich without any cream or dairy slowing you down.
  • You can make it ahead and let it sit in the fridge, which actually deepens the flavors.
02 -
  • Rinse your noodles thoroughly after cooking so they don't clump and stick together as they chill.
  • Toast your own sesame seeds in a dry pan for just a few minutes—store-bought toasted seeds lose their magic the longer they sit, but toasting them fresh takes barely any time.
  • If you're making this ahead, dress it lightly at first and keep the extra dressing on the side to add just before serving so everything stays crisp.
03 -
  • If your peanut butter is thick and stubborn, warm the sesame oil slightly before whisking it in so it blends smoothly without lumps.
  • Add the cilantro and spring onions as late as possible—they stay fresher and brighter if they're not sitting in dressing for hours.
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