Looking for a salad that’s as delicious as it is satisfying? This Ramen Chinese Chicken Salad is the perfect balance of crispy noodles, tender chicken, and a sweet, savory dressing that ties everything together. It’s like the best of both worlds—light enough for a side dish but hearty enough to stand as a main course. And with its crunchy textures, fresh veggies, and that irresistible dressing, this salad will quickly become your go-to whenever you’re craving something fresh and flavorful. Trust me, you’re going to love it!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This isn’t just any salad—it’s a party of flavors in your mouth, and here’s why it’s a total game-changer:
Crispy & Crunchy: The ramen noodles add the perfect crunch, turning this salad into an exciting texture experience. Add in some crunchy vegetables, and you’ve got a salad that’s fun to eat!
Perfectly Balanced Flavors: From the tender chicken to the tangy dressing, every bite is full of rich, bold flavors that balance perfectly. Sweet, salty, savory, and a little bit of umami—all the good stuff!
Easy to Make: No need to spend hours in the kitchen! This salad is quick to whip up, and the ingredients are easy to find. Whether you’re making it for lunch, dinner, or a potluck, it’s hassle-free.
Customizable: Want to add more veggies? Or swap the chicken for tofu or shrimp? Go for it! This salad is totally customizable, so you can make it your own.
Crowd-Pleasing: This salad is always a hit at parties and family gatherings. It’s the type of dish people ask for the recipe after they’ve had a bite.
Ingredients
Ready to make this deliciously crunchy Ramen Chinese Chicken Salad? Here’s what you’ll need:
Cooked Chicken: The chicken adds protein and substance to the salad. You can use rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken, or even leftover chicken from another meal.
Ramen Noodles: These noodles are a game-changer in this salad. They’re crispy and have a fantastic texture that pairs perfectly with the other ingredients.
Cabbage: Fresh and crisp cabbage provides a refreshing crunch and a great base for the salad.
Carrots: Shredded carrots add color and a touch of sweetness that complements the other ingredients.
Green Onions: These bring a slight oniony bite that adds a bit of freshness to the dish.
Almonds: Sliced almonds give an extra layer of crunch, making each bite more interesting.
Sesame Seeds: These add a bit of toasty flavor and are a great garnish to top off the salad.
Cilantro: Fresh cilantro gives the salad an herbaceous kick and brightens up the whole dish.
For the Dressing:
Soy Sauce: A key ingredient in the dressing, it brings saltiness and depth of flavor to balance the sweetness.
Rice Vinegar: Adds a tangy kick that complements the sweetness of the sugar and rounds out the flavors.
Sugar: A little sweetness to balance the saltiness from the soy sauce.
Sesame Oil: Adds a nutty, rich flavor that elevates the dressing to another level.
Olive Oil: To balance out the sesame oil and give the dressing a smooth consistency.
Garlic Powder: A little garlic powder brings extra flavor without being overpowering.
Ginger Powder: Ground ginger gives the dressing that warm, aromatic flavor that pairs beautifully with the other ingredients.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Let’s dive into making this delicious salad!
Prepare the Ingredients: Start by cooking and shredding your chicken (if you haven’t already). For the noodles, break them into pieces and toast them lightly in a skillet for a few minutes until they become crispy. Set both aside.
Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, olive oil, garlic powder, and ginger powder. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the dressing is well combined.
Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cabbage, shredded carrots, green onions, almonds, and cilantro. Toss everything together to distribute the ingredients evenly.
Add the Chicken & Noodles: Add the cooked chicken and the crispy ramen noodles to the salad. Toss again until everything is well mixed.
Dress the Salad: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until all the ingredients are coated in the flavorful dressing.
Serve & Enjoy: Serve immediately and enjoy the crunchy, savory goodness of this amazing salad. If you’re not serving right away, you can store the salad and dressing separately in the fridge to keep the noodles crispy.
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Calories per serving: 350
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
How to Serve Ramen Chinese Chicken Salad
This salad is versatile and pairs well with a variety of dishes. Here are some serving suggestions:
Grilled Meat: Serve alongside grilled meats like steak, chicken, or fish for a complete meal. The freshness of the salad complements the smoky flavor of grilled proteins.
Rice or Noodles: Add a side of steamed rice or noodles if you want something more filling.
Spring Rolls: Pair with some fresh spring rolls for a fun, Asian-inspired meal.
As a Light Lunch: Enjoy it on its own as a light, healthy lunch or a side dish for dinner. It’s satisfying without being too heavy.
Additional Tips
Don’t Overdress: Add the dressing gradually to make sure the salad isn’t too soggy. You can always add more if needed!
Toast the Noodles: Toasting the ramen noodles makes them extra crispy and adds a deeper flavor. Don’t skip this step—it’s worth it!
Make it Vegetarian: If you prefer a vegetarian version, simply swap out the chicken for tofu or chickpeas. The dressing and veggies will still give it tons of flavor.
Meal Prep: This salad is great for meal prep! Store the dressing separately, and combine the salad ingredients in a large container. Toss it all together just before serving for a fresh, crispy salad every day.
Store Leftovers: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Keep the dressing separate to maintain the crunchiness of the noodles.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I make this salad ahead of time?
A1: Yes, but I recommend adding the dressing just before serving so the noodles stay crunchy. You can prep the veggies, chicken, and noodles in advance and store them separately.
Q2: Can I use different nuts?
A2: Absolutely! You can swap the almonds for cashews, peanuts, or walnuts if you prefer. The crunchiness of the nuts is key, so feel free to use your favorite.
Q3: Can I use cooked chicken from a rotisserie chicken?
A3: Yes! Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut and adds extra flavor. Just shred it and add it to the salad.
Q4: How can I make this salad spicier?
A4: If you like a bit of heat, add some chili flakes, sriracha, or a dash of hot sauce to the dressing. It will add a nice spicy kick to the salad.
Q5: Can I make this salad gluten-free?
A5: Yes! Use gluten-free ramen noodles or substitute them with another crunchy element like rice noodles or crispy chickpeas.
Q6: Can I freeze this salad?
A6: It’s best not to freeze this salad, as the noodles and veggies will lose their crispness. It’s best enjoyed fresh or within a couple of days of making.
Q7: Can I use a different dressing for this salad?
A7: While the dressing here is perfect for this salad, feel free to experiment with other Asian-inspired dressings like peanut or hoisin sauce if you want a different flavor.
Q8: How do I make this salad more filling?
A8: You can make this salad more filling by adding more protein like grilled shrimp, steak, or tofu. You could also serve it with a side of rice or noodles.
Q9: Can I add more vegetables to this salad?
A9: Absolutely! You can add other crunchy vegetables like bell peppers, cucumbers, or snap peas to boost the texture and nutrition.
Q10: Can I make this salad without the chicken?
A10: Yes! If you want a vegetarian option, you can skip the chicken and add extra veggies, nuts, or tofu for protein.
Conclusion
Ramen Chinese Chicken Salad is a perfect dish when you want something that’s fresh, crunchy, and full of flavor. Whether you’re serving it at a gathering or enjoying it as a quick, satisfying meal, this salad is always a winner. It’s easy to make, customizable, and packed with flavor in every bite. Enjoy the crunch, the sweetness, and the savory goodness all in one dish!
Print
Ramen Chinese Chicken Salad
- Prep Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
This crunchy, flavorful Chinese chicken salad is packed with rotisserie chicken, three types of cabbage, carrots, green onions, mandarin oranges, and crispy ramen noodles. Tossed in a sweet and tangy homemade dressing, it’s perfect for meal prep, potlucks, or a refreshing dinner!
Ingredients
For the Chicken (Optional):
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2 cups rotisserie chicken, cooked and chopped
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1 cup The Original Japanese BBQ Sauce (or teriyaki sauce)
For the Dressing:
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3/4 cup peanut oil
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1 tbsp peanut butter
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1/2 cup sugar
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1/4 cup rice vinegar
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2 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
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1/8 tsp sesame oil
For the Ramen:
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1/2 cup butter
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3 packs ramen noodles, crunched (seasoning packets discarded)
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1/3 cup sliced almonds
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1/4 cup sesame seeds
For the Salad:
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3/4 head Napa cabbage, thinly sliced
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1/3 head green cabbage, thinly sliced
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1 cup red cabbage, thinly sliced
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1/2 cup shredded carrots
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6 green onions, chopped (white parts discarded)
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1-2 cans mandarin oranges, drained
Instructions
For the Chicken (Optional):
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If using chicken, add it to a ziplock bag with BBQ or teriyaki sauce and marinate in the fridge until ready to serve.
For the Dressing:
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In a saucepan over medium heat, whisk together peanut oil, peanut butter, sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
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Bring to a boil and continue boiling for 1 minute. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
For the Ramen:
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Place ramen noodles in a sealed plastic bag and smash into small pieces with a meat tenderizer.
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In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter, then add noodles, almonds, and sesame seeds.
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Stir occasionally until the mixture is golden brown and has a nutty aroma. Transfer to a plate to cool.
For the Salad:
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Discard the core of the Napa, green, and red cabbage and slice thinly using a sharp knife or mandolin.
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In a large bowl, toss together cabbages, carrots, green onions, and mandarin oranges.
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Add the cooled ramen mixture and marinated chicken (if using).
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Drizzle with dressing, toss well, and serve immediately.
Notes
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Cabbage Tip: Use a mandolin slicer for extra-thin, even cuts.
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Make-Ahead: Prep the dressing and ramen mixture in the morning. Store the dressing at room temperature and the ramen in a sealed bag.
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Substitutions: If Japanese BBQ sauce isn’t available, teriyaki sauce works as a great alternative.
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Storage: Best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be refrigerated for 1-2 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 20mg