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.

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