This Asian Chicken Pasta Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish perfect for family gatherings, cookouts, or picnics. With a combination of bow tie pasta, cooked chicken, matchstick carrots, and a homemade toasted sesame dressing, it’s a simple yet delicious salad that gets better the longer it chills in the fridge.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and Easy: Ready in just 30 minutes, it’s a perfect dish for busy days.
Tastes Even Better After Chilling: The flavors meld together wonderfully as it sits in the fridge.
Packed with Protein and Veggies: With chicken, carrots, and a boost of cilantro and green onions, it’s a nutritious meal.
Customizable: Add extras like mandarin oranges, red pepper, or edamame for variety.

Ingredients

For the Salad:

12 oz bow tie pasta (or whole grain, gluten-free if preferred)
2 cups cooked skinless, boneless chicken breast (or rotisserie chicken)
1 cup matchstick carrots (chopped)
¾ cup cilantro (chopped)
3 green onions (thinly sliced)
1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
¼ cup slivered almonds (optional)

For the Dressing:

¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
¼ cup vegetable or olive oil
2 tbsp brown sugar (or zero-point brown sugar sweetener)
3 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp sesame oil
¼ tsp dried ginger
2 tsp toasted sesame seeds

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

Cook the Pasta: Cook the bow tie pasta according to package directions, draining and rinsing with cold water to cool.
Prepare the Salad: While the pasta cools, chop the veggies and chicken. Place the cooled pasta, chicken, carrots, cilantro, and green onions in a large bowl.
Make the Dressing: In a jar, combine soy sauce, oil, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and sesame seeds. Shake well.
Combine and Chill: Pour half of the dressing over the pasta mixture, tossing to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours.
Serve: Just before serving, stir in the remaining dressing and garnish with almonds if using.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 8
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

Variations

Add Protein: Top with grilled shrimp or tofu for additional protein.
Extra Veggies: Add mandarin oranges, edamame, or bell peppers for more texture and flavor.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: This salad is best served cold, but can be enjoyed at room temperature.

FAQs

1. Can I use another type of pasta?

Yes, feel free to use other pasta shapes such as penne or rotini.

2. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, it actually tastes better the longer it sits, so make it ahead for easy meal prep.

3. Can I use regular soy sauce instead of low-sodium?

Yes, but using low-sodium soy sauce will help balance the saltiness.

4. How can I make this salad spicy?

Add some red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the dressing for some heat.

5. Is this recipe gluten-free?

To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and ensure the soy sauce is also gluten-free.

6. Can I skip the sesame seeds in the dressing?

You can, but they add a unique flavor and texture to the dressing.

7. Can I use pre-cooked chicken?

Yes, rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken works great in this recipe.

8. What can I serve this with?

It pairs well with grilled meats, or as a stand-alone dish for a light meal.

9. Can I freeze the salad?

This salad is best enjoyed fresh and doesn’t freeze well due to the vegetables and pasta.

10. Can I make my own toasted sesame dressing?

Yes, the recipe includes instructions for a homemade version of toasted sesame dressing.

Conclusion

Asian Chicken Pasta Salad is the perfect dish for summer cookouts, meal prep, or a quick lunch. It’s full of fresh ingredients, easy to make, and packs a punch of flavor, making it a family favorite for sure!

Asian Chicken Pasta Salad

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Author: Paula
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

This Asian Chicken Pasta Salad is a refreshing, flavor-packed dish that’s perfect for cookouts, picnics, or meal prep. With tender chicken, bow tie pasta, matchstick carrots, and a homemade toasted sesame dressing, it’s a healthy and satisfying salad that gets even better after chilling in the fridge. Quick to make, customizable with your favorite extras, and full of protein and veggies, it’s a family favorite that’s sure to impress!

Instructions

Cook the Pasta:
Cook the bow tie pasta according to package directions, then drain and rinse with cold water to cool.
Prepare the Salad:
While the pasta cools, chop the chicken, carrots, cilantro, and green onions. Place the cooled pasta, chicken, carrots, cilantro, and green onions in a large bowl.
Make the Dressing:
In a jar, combine soy sauce, oil, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and toasted sesame seeds. Shake well until combined.
Combine and Chill:
Pour half of the dressing over the pasta mixture, tossing to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours to allow the flavors to meld.
Serve:
Just before serving, stir in the remaining dressing and garnish with slivered almonds if using.

Notes

Add Protein: Top with grilled shrimp or tofu for extra protein.

Extra Veggies: Add mandarin oranges, edamame, or bell peppers for extra flavor and texture.

Make It Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or a dash of sriracha to the dressing for some heat.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Salad, Pasta Salad, Summer Recipes
Method: No-Cook, Tossing
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired