Cold Asian Chicken Salad with Noodles and Spicy Peanut Dressing Recipe
A vibrant and refreshing Cold Asian Chicken Salad featuring crisp artisan greens, crunchy ramen noodles, and a colorful mix of fruits and vegetables. Tossed with flavorful miso and spicy peanut dressings, this salad offers a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors, ideal for a light lunch or a healthy dinner.
- Author: Mia
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Low Fat
Salad:
- 2 tbsp cilantro (chopped)
- 2 tbsp green onion (sliced)
- 4 cups organic artisan salad greens
- 1/2 cup green cabbage (thinly sliced)
- 1 cup ramen noodles (cooked and cooled)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 cup spicy cashews or peanuts
- 1/2 cup pineapple or mango salsa
- 1/2 cup pickled onion
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup roasted red bell pepper (sliced)
- 1 cup mandarin oranges (peeled and segmented)
Miso Dressing:
- 1 tbsp white or yellow miso paste
- 2 tbsp sesame seed oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger
Spicy Peanut Dressing:
- 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 1/2 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- Juice of 1 lime (about 1 1/2 tablespoons)
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic (finely minced or pressed)
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp chili flakes
- Cook Noodles: Begin by cooking the ramen noodles according to the package instructions. Once cooked, rinse with cold water and set aside to cool completely. This step ensures the noodles remain firm and add a pleasing crunch to the salad.
- Prepare Dressings: In two separate bowls, combine all the ingredients for the miso dressing and the spicy peanut dressing, respectively. Whisk each dressing thoroughly until smooth and well blended. Set aside to allow the flavors to meld.
- Assemble Salad Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the organic artisan salad greens, green cabbage, cooled ramen noodles, and season with salt and black pepper. Add the chopped cilantro and sliced green onions. Toss everything gently to combine evenly.
- Add Toppings: Layer into the salad spicy cashews or peanuts, pineapple or mango salsa, pickled onions, shredded carrots, roasted red bell peppers, and mandarin orange segments. Toss lightly to incorporate the ingredients without breaking the delicate components.
- Dress Salad: Drizzle the miso dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to coat the ingredients evenly, enhancing the fresh flavors of the vegetables and fruits.
- Serve: Plate the salad onto individual bowls or plates. Optionally, add cooked chicken on top if desired. Finally, drizzle the spicy peanut dressing over the salad just before serving to add a creamy, spicy kick. Enjoy immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Ramen noodles can be substituted with any thin wheat noodles or rice noodles if desired.
- Prepare dressings ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 2 days for convenience.
- For a vegan version, substitute honey with maple syrup and use tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Add grilled or shredded chicken to boost protein content and make the salad more filling.
- Ensure noodles are fully cooled before adding to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
Keywords: Cold Asian chicken salad, ramen noodle salad, miso dressing, spicy peanut dressing, healthy Asian salad, quick lunch salad, refreshing chicken salad