Description
A vibrant and crunchy Chinese Chicken Pasta Salad combining tender shredded chicken, cooked rotini, fresh vegetables, and chow mein noodles, all tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing with a hint of sweetness. This salad is perfect for a quick, flavorful lunch or a light dinner, offering a delicious blend of textures and savory Asian-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
- 4 cups cooked rotini (about 3 cups dry)
- 1 cup fresh snow peas
- ½ cup diced red bell pepper
- ½ cup shredded carrot
- 2 cups chopped napa cabbage
- ¼ cup sliced green onions
- 8 ounce can sliced water chestnuts, drained
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1 cup chow mein noodles
Dressing Ingredients
- ⅔ cup plain yogurt
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- Honey, to taste
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Toast Sesame Seeds: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread sesame seeds evenly on a baking sheet and toast for 5 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning. Remove from oven and let cool.
- Prepare Salad Base: In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, cooked rotini pasta, snow peas, red bell pepper, shredded carrot, napa cabbage, sliced green onions, drained water chestnuts, and chow mein noodles. Toss gently to mix ingredients evenly and set aside.
- Make Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together plain yogurt, soy sauce, mayonnaise, black pepper, and ground ginger until smooth. Taste the dressing and add honey gradually to achieve desired sweetness. Season with salt as needed.
- Combine Salad and Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the chicken and vegetable mixture. Toss gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Finish and Serve: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the top of the salad for a nutty crunch. Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to blend flavors before serving.
Notes
- To cook rotini pasta, boil dry pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and cool.
- You can substitute plain yogurt with Greek yogurt for a thicker dressing.
- Adjust honey quantity according to your preferred level of sweetness.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with tofu or extra vegetables.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days for best freshness.
