This Asian Chicken Noodle Salad Bowl recipe is chock full of deliciousness. Think noodle bowl meets salad that's perfect for lunch or light dinner. And it's all so easy to throw together. Combine shredded rotisserie chicken, oranges, edamame, lettuce, nuts & rice noodles in a bowl and gently toss with a light ginger-soy dressing. Perfect for a hot summer day and, bonus, it's gluten-free too!
Summer is at it's peak and the days are definitely long and hot. In my mind, that means more easy, light foods on my plate, which pretty much equates to salads in my mind. They're cool, fresh, mostly healthy, and have nice tangy flavors that just make your taste buds come alive.
Plus they're so easy to throw together. I love whipping up my version of Tabouli with quinoa for a protein-rich lunch or mixing salads with summer's fresh fruit like my Strawberry Avocado Chicken Salad. And because I love all my followers, I just had to share this delicious chicken salad with noodles and oranges recipe with you today. It's similar to Houston's Thai Chicken Salad, my absolute favorite, with its distinctive Asian flavor, but much lighter as it stays away from the peanut dressing and uses a tasty sesame oil-soy-ginger mix in its place. You've just got to taste it!
What makes this salad quick and easy? A store-bought ready-to-use rotisserie chicken, or your own leftover chicken, frozen packaged edamame, prepared broccoli-carrot slaw and easily found fresh vegetables and fruit. The rice noodles are a nice change of pace and give this recipe a little more substance than just a tossed salad. And who doesn't like mandarin oranges (cuties) or tangerines? They are just icing on the cake for me as I am definitely a fruit lover first and foremost. (I was going to say fruity person but that just didn't sound right. 🙂 ) Don't like edamame? Well, this noodle salad is super easy to customize too so and it's all made in one bowl (minus the dressing of course)!
Variations
Change it up with a different protein -
- sliced beef
- sliced or cubed pork
- fish such as salmon, a light white fish or even shrimp
Omit the vegetables you don't like or can't find and replace with -
- snow peas in lieu of edamame
- fresh greens for iceberg lettuce
- bean sprouts can replace broccoli-carrot slaw
- Thai basil can up the flavor if you're not into cilantro
- for more flavor, add cucumber or more carrots
Replace the mandarin oranges for other fruit such as -
- regular oranges
- cuties
- nectarines
- peaches
- mangos
Rice noodles are easily replaced with -
- squash noodles
- black bean noodles
- quinoa noodles
- edamame pasta
If you're not into gluten-free, and like using regular pasta, you will be adding denser carbs and adding less quality nutrition to the mix. They will also set heavier in your stomach than the lighter rice noodles.
Directions
Make the dressing prior to starting salad. It can actually be made up to 2 days ahead of time.
When ready to serve salad, gather all the ingredients. You'll have to cook the rice noodles and edamame according to package directions before adding to salad bowl.
- Place all the prepped ingredients except the noodles, 2 tablespoons of peanuts and the toasted sesame seeds in a large salad bowl. Top with noodles.
- Drizzle dressing on salad and toss.
- Sprinkle on remaining peanuts and sesame seeds and serve immediately. Here's to delicious healthy salads that look as beautiful as they are tasty. Enjoy!
More salad recipes you might like
Pear Walnut Gorgonzola Salad - is a light and healthy side dish that pairs well with any meal. It has only 4-ingredients and is perfect served with your favorite raspberry vinaigrette.
Balsamic Chicken Pasta Salad - is perfect for light summertime eating as well as for your next BBQ. The grilled chicken & vegetables combines with the balsamic marinade & dressing to bring a smoky flavor to this that is out of this world!
Kale Salad with Peanut Vinaigrette - is a deliciously healthy salad packed full of kale, cabbage & cilantro then topped with a slightly tangy peanut vinaigrette.
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Chicken Noodle Salad Bowl
Ingredients
Dressing
- 2 Tablespoons soy sauce (tamari for gluten-free)
- 3 Tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger minced
- 2 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1-2 teaspoons Thai-style chili sauce
- 1 clove garlic minced or ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- Salt & pepper to taste
Salad
- 4-5 mandarin oranges or tangerines
- 1 rotisserie chicken
- 3 cups iceberg lettuce chopped (almost an entire head)
- 1 cup broccoli carrot slaw
- 1 red bell pepper
- ½ cup cilantro chopped
- ½ cup edamame cooked according to package directions
- 3 green onions
- ⅓ cup sliced almonds
- 2 cups maifun rice noodles cooked
- ⅓ cup peanuts chopped (reserve 2 Tablespoons for sprinkling on top)
- Garnish: ¼ cup toasted sesame seeds, chopped cilantro
Instructions
Dressing
- In a medium bowl, whisk all ingredients together. Store in refrigerator until ready to use. Just before pouring on salad, whisk once more.
Salad
- Just prior to serving, mix all ingredients in a large bowl, except rice noodles, 2 tablespoons of peanuts and the toasted sesame seeds.
- Pour in dressing to your taste and toss.
- Add noodles, toss again, sprinkle on toppings and serve immediately.
Notes
Variations
Use a different protein - Change out the chicken for your favorite beef, pork or even fish. Use different vegetables - Opt for snow peas in lieu of edamame, fresh greens for iceberg lettuce, bean sprouts can replace broccoli-carrot slaw and Thai basil can up the flavor if you're not into cilantro. Or just add cucumber, carrots and any other vegetable you prefer Use different fruit - I've only had this salad with oranges, both mandarins or cuties, and nectarines but you could easily use peaches or mangos. Use different noodles - In keeping this gluten-free, you could opt to use squash noodles, black bean noodles, quinoa noodles or even edamame pasta. If you're not into gluten-free, and using regular pasta, you will be adding denser carbs and adding less quality nutrition to the mix. They will also set heavier in your stomach than the lighter rice noodles.Nutrition
This post was first published on March 30, 2016. It has been updated with new photos, options for ingredients and step-by-step directions.
