Description
Delightful Ramen Chinese Chicken Salad blends crunchy noodles with zesty Asian-inspired flavors, creating a perfect harmony of textures and tastes. Crisp vegetables and tender chicken make this dish a refreshing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 cups rotisserie chicken, cooked and chopped
- 6 green onions, chopped
Salad Base:
- 3/4 head Napa cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1/3 head green cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1 cup red cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 12 cans mandarin oranges, drained
Dressing and Crunchy Elements:
- 3/4 cup peanut oil
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 cup The Original Japanese BBQ Sauce (or teriyaki sauce)
- 1/8 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3 packs ramen noodles, crunched (seasoning packets discarded)
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken by placing it in a ziplock bag with BBQ or teriyaki sauce. Refrigerate for marination while preparing other components.
- Craft the dressing by combining peanut oil, peanut butter, sugar, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk continuously until the mixture reaches a boil, then simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
- Transform ramen noodles by sealing them in a plastic bag and crushing into small fragments using a meat tenderizer. Toast the crushed noodles, almonds, and sesame seeds in a skillet with melted butter over medium heat, stirring occasionally until golden and fragrant. Transfer to a plate for cooling.
- Prepare the cabbage by removing cores from Napa, green, and red varieties. Slice thinly using a sharp knife or mandolin for uniform pieces.
- Assemble the salad in a large bowl by combining sliced cabbages, carrots, green onions, and mandarin oranges. Incorporate the cooled ramen and nut mixture.
- Add the marinated chicken (if using) and drizzle with the prepared dressing. Toss thoroughly to ensure even coating and serve immediately for optimal texture and flavor.
Notes
- Marinate chicken in advance to infuse deep, rich flavors and ensure tender meat that absorbs the sauce completely.
- Toast ramen noodles carefully to create a crunchy, nutty texture that adds incredible depth and complexity to the salad.
- Prepare dressing slightly ahead of time, allowing it to cool and thicken, which helps coat salad ingredients more evenly and intensifies the flavor profile.
- For gluten-free version, swap regular soy sauce with tamari and use gluten-free ramen noodles to maintain the dish’s authentic taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Japanese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 727 kcal
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 430 mg
- Fat: 54 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 42 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg