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Crunchy Chinese Chicken Pasta Salad

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A fresh and crunchy pasta salad featuring tender chicken, vibrant veggies, toasted almonds, and crispy chow mein noodles tossed in a tangy homemade dressing. Perfect for a quick lunch or potluck.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (225 g) pasta (rotini or bowtie)
  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed
  • 1 cup shredded cabbage (green or purple)
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 3 green onions, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
  • 1 cup crunchy chow mein noodles
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (low sodium if preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz (225 g) of pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool. Set aside.
  2. If not using pre-cooked chicken, poach or grill chicken breasts until cooked through (internal temp 165°F/74°C). Allow to cool slightly, then shred or cube into bite-sized pieces.
  3. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast 1/2 cup sliced almonds until golden and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and let cool.
  4. Shred 1 cup cabbage and 1 cup carrots, dice 1 red bell pepper, and thinly slice 3 green onions. Chop fresh cilantro if using.
  5. In a small bowl or jar, whisk together 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, 1 teaspoon grated ginger, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional). Adjust sweetness or acidity as needed.
  6. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chicken, cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, green onions, and cilantro. Pour the dressing over and toss gently to coat evenly.
  7. Just before serving, fold in the toasted almonds and 1 cup crunchy chow mein noodles to keep the crisp texture.
  8. Serve chilled or at room temperature. Optionally chill in the fridge for 15-30 minutes to let flavors meld.

Notes

Keep crunchy chow mein noodles separate until just before serving to avoid sogginess. Toast almonds for best flavor and crunch. Rinse pasta with cold water after cooking to prevent mushiness. Adjust dressing sweetness or acidity to taste. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and tamari soy sauce. For vegetarian, substitute chicken with tofu or chickpeas.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chinese chicken pasta salad, crunchy pasta salad, chicken salad, chow mein noodles, toasted almonds, easy lunch recipe, potluck salad

Find it online: https://blixfood.com/crunchy-chinese-chicken-pasta-salad-recipe-easy-fresh-veggie-lunch-ideas/