Whip up a 20-minute meal in-a-bowl with a light and refreshing recipe for Chinese Chicken Pasta Salad tossed with a quick-fix sesame dressing.
My mom Noni’s Chinese Chicken Salad is legendary in our family. It was a weeknight favorite when my siblings and I were growing up and always a welcome sight on the dinner table.
It starred crisp Romaine lettuce, shredded rotisserie chicken, a homemade sesame dressing, and our fave addition: crispy rice noodles. They added a touch of crunch and were always fun to snack on pre-dinner.
I’ve recreated my mom’s iconic salad, and included my boys’ favorite addition: pasta!
Chinese Chicken Pasta Salad stars all the best flavors and textures, from crisp cucumbers and juicy Mandarin oranges to tender chicken and crunchy lo mein noodles.
While store-bought sesame dressings are great in a pinch, this homemade spin makes this pasta salad a year-round favorite. It’s just four simple ingredients, but each of which pack a flavor punch.
Put it all together and you have yourself a tried-and-tested Chinese Chicken Pasta Salad recipe that comes together in minutes, can be prepped in advance and is a guaranteed winner for taste-testers of all ages.
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Chinese Chicken Pasta Salad with Sesame Dressing
For the pasta salad:
-
8
oz.
uncooked pasta, such as bowtie or rotini -
2
cups
shredded rotisserie chicken or chopped chicken breasts -
2
cups
shredded Romaine lettuce -
2
cups
shredded red cabbage -
1
cup
diced cucumbers -
1
cup
Mandarin oranges -
1/2
cup
crispy chow mein noodles
For the dressing:
-
3
Tablespoons
sesame oil -
1/4
cup
rice wine vinegar -
2
Tablespoons
sugar -
1/4
cup
olive oil
Make the pasta salad:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook it until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain the pasta and add it to a large bowl.
To the bowl, add the chicken, Romaine lettuce, red cabbage, cucumbers, Mandarin oranges and chow mein noodles.
Make the dressing:
In a small bowl, whisk together the sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
While whisking, stream in the olive oil until combined.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine then serve.
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Nutrition Facts
Chinese Chicken Pasta Salad with Sesame Dressing
Amount Per Serving
Calories 255
Calories from Fat 99
% Daily Value*
Fat 11g17%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Cholesterol 24mg8%
Sodium 48mg2%
Potassium 239mg7%
Carbohydrates 25g8%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 12g24%
Vitamin A 1166IU23%
Vitamin C 16mg19%
Calcium 29mg3%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.