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Asian chicken noodle salad

Category: Fresh & Vibrant Salads

This vibrant dish features tender sliced chicken mingled with slender noodles, snap peas, and red bell peppers. The creamy peanut dressing, infused with toasted sesame seeds and a hint of ginger and garlic, adds both richness and a subtle tang. Quick to prepare, the noodles are perfectly cooked and cooled to maintain firmness, while the snap peas offer a crisp crunch. Tossed together, the flavors balance warmly nutty, sweet, and savory notes, making it ideal for busy weeknights or light gatherings. The refreshing contrast of textures enhances every bite, with a wholesome blend of ingredients.

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Updated on Mon, 14 Jul 2025 22:55:08 GMT
A bowl of food with chicken and peppers. Pin
A bowl of food with chicken and peppers. | easydiyrecipes.com

Noodles tossed in a creamy peanut sauce with crisp veggies and juicy chicken has become my dinner solution for those hectic evenings when I want something nourishing but quick. The homemade ginger sesame dressing clings to every bite, bringing takeout flavors right to your kitchen in under thirty minutes.

I whipped this up one busy weeknight when I had leftover rotisserie chicken on hand and now it is a staple for when I want something fresh but filling. That peanut dressing alone is good enough to eat with a spoon.

Ingredients

  • Spaghetti or linguine: Your noodle base and a blank canvas for the creamy sauce. Choose high-quality pasta for best texture
  • Sugar snap peas: Adds crunch and mellow sweetness. Choose firm peas with bright green pods
  • Red bell peppers: Bring color and a fresh crispy bite. Pick peppers with smooth shiny skins
  • Green onions: Mild onion flavor and a pop of green. Look for vibrant tops without wilting
  • Chicken: Rotisserie or grilled chicken makes it hearty with minimal prep. Opt for hormone-free or free-range for best flavor
  • Vegetable oil: Neutral base for the dressing helps ingredients blend smoothly
  • Dark sesame oil: Toasty flavor and a must for that authentic nutty background. Use toasted
  • Rice wine vinegar: Adds bright acidity. Choose one labeled for sushi seasoning if you like it a touch sweet
  • Soy sauce: Brings umami depth and saltiness. Go for low sodium if preferred
  • Honey: Sweetens the sauce and balances the salty tangy flavors. Local varieties add nuance
  • Garlic and fresh ginger: Build the flavor base with warmth and fragrance. Use plump fresh cloves and gingery roots for a brighter dressing
  • Sesame seeds: Toasted for texture and a subtle crunch. Look for seeds with a golden hue
  • Creamy peanut butter: The star of the sauce binds all the flavors. Natural peanut butter gives a more pronounced peanut taste

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cook the Noodles:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your spaghetti or linguine according to the package directions. Drain and rinse under very cold water until completely cool then drain again. This stops the cooking and keeps the noodles from clumping
Blanch the Snap Peas:
Fill another pot with salted water and bring to a boil. Add the sugar snap peas and cook for about five minutes until they are crisp tender. Drain and shock with very cold water to stop them from overcooking then drain thoroughly
Make the Peanut Salad Dressing:
In a medium bowl whisk together the vegetable oil toasted sesame oil rice wine vinegar soy sauce honey minced garlic grated ginger two tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds and the creamy peanut butter. If the dressing is too thick slowly blend in a bit of water up to a quarter cup until it reaches your ideal pourable texture
Assemble the Salad:
Place the cooled noodles in a large bowl with blanched snap peas thinly sliced red bell peppers and green onions. Pour the creamy peanut dressing over everything and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly
Add the Chicken and Finish:
Top the salad with slices or shreds of cooked chicken and a final sprinkle of sesame seeds. You can also toss the chicken in with everything else if you like it all mixed together. Serve cold or at room temperature for the best texture
A bowl of pasta with chicken and peppers. Pin
A bowl of pasta with chicken and peppers. | easydiyrecipes.com

My favorite part is those toasty sesame seeds that pop with every bite. The nutty aroma reminds me of dinners at my aunt's house where she always doubled the sauce so everyone could drizzle on more at the table. That dressing quickly became a most requested favorite

Storage Tips

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. The noodles will soak up more dressing as they sit so add a splash of water or extra sauce to loosen things up before serving

Ingredient Substitutions

Swap out spaghetti or linguine for rice noodles or even soba for a whole grain option. Use leftover turkey shrimp or baked tofu instead of chicken for a different protein. Sunflower butter works well for peanut allergies just be sure to taste and adjust seasoning

Serving Suggestions

Serve the salad chilled or at cool room temperature for the best flavor. This is a hearty all-in-one meal but it also makes a vibrant potluck or picnic side. Add a big squeeze of lime juice right before serving for a little extra zing

A bowl of food with chicken and vegetables. Pin
A bowl of food with chicken and vegetables. | easydiyrecipes.com

Cultural Context

Creamy peanut sauces are loved across Southeast Asia where blending nuts or seeds with spice and vinegar creates balance in noodles and salads alike. This recipe brings those flavors into a simple weeknight bowl that echoes the fresh crunchy bites you find in dishes throughout Thailand and Indonesia

Recipe FAQs

→ What type of noodles works best for this salad?

Spaghetti or linguine work well due to their long strands, which mix nicely with the dressing and vegetables.

→ How can I achieve the right dressing consistency?

Whisk the peanut butter with oils and other ingredients thoroughly. Add water gradually if the dressing feels too thick until desired smoothness is reached.

→ Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Yes, making the dressing and cooking noodles/snapped peas in advance helps flavors meld well; toss everything just before serving.

→ What are good protein options besides chicken?

Grilled tofu, shrimp, or sliced beef can be used for alternative proteins that complement the creamy peanut flavor.

→ How do I keep the snap peas crisp?

After boiling, rinse snap peas promptly under cold water to halt cooking, ensuring they stay crisp and vibrant.

Asian chicken noodle salad

Tender chicken, fresh veggies, and noodles combine under a smooth peanut-sesame dressing for a flavorful dish.

Prep Time
15 min
Cook Time
15 min
Total Time
30 min
By: Evelyn

Category: Salads

Skill Level: Easy

Cuisine: Asian

Yield: 8 Servings (8 servings)

Dietary Preferences: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Peanut Salad Dressing

01 45 ml vegetable oil
02 60 ml dark sesame oil
03 60 ml rice wine vinegar
04 80 ml soy sauce
05 30 ml honey
06 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 5 ml fresh ginger, grated or 0.75 ml dried ginger
08 30 ml toasted sesame seeds, divided
09 120 ml creamy peanut butter

→ Asian Chicken Noodle Salad

10 450 g spaghetti or linguine
11 450 g sugar snap peas
12 2 red bell peppers, cored, seeded, and thinly sliced
13 4 green onions, sliced
14 300 g cooked chicken, sliced grilled or shredded rotisserie

Steps

Step 01

Combine vegetable oil, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, 2 tablespoons (30 ml) toasted sesame seeds, and peanut butter in a medium bowl. Whisk thoroughly until smooth. If the dressing is too thick, slowly add up to 60 ml water to achieve desired consistency.

Step 02

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spaghetti or linguine and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under very cold water to halt cooking. Drain again and set aside.

Step 03

In a separate pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add sugar snap peas and cook for approximately 5 minutes until crisp-tender. Drain, rinse under very cold water to stop further cooking, drain again and set aside.

Step 04

In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked noodles, sugar snap peas, sliced red bell peppers, and green onions. Pour prepared peanut dressing over the mixture and add remaining 1 tablespoon (15 ml) toasted sesame seeds. Toss gently to combine. Top with sliced or shredded chicken, or alternatively mix chicken into the salad and toss evenly.

Notes

  1. To adjust dressing thickness, add water gradually, not exceeding 60 ml, to prevent dilution of flavors.

Tools Required

  • Large pot for boiling pasta
  • Medium bowl for dressing preparation
  • Colander for draining pasta and vegetables

Allergy Info

Double-check all ingredients to spot potential allergens. Consult a healthcare professional if uncertain.
  • Contains peanuts and soy, potential allergens

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

These details are for informational purposes only and shouldn’t replace professional medical advice.
  • Calories: 548
  • Fats: 27 g
  • Carbohydrates: 57 g
  • Proteins: 20 g