Crunchy Ramen Chicken Salad (Printable)

Shredded cabbage, rotisserie chicken, and crunchy ramen noodles tossed in sweet sesame dressing. Ready in 20 minutes.

# Ingredient List:

→ Salad

01 - 4 cups shredded green cabbage
02 - 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken, skin removed
03 - 1 cup shredded carrots
04 - 3 scallions, thinly sliced
05 - 0.5 cup sliced almonds, toasted
06 - 1 package (3 oz) instant ramen noodles, chicken-flavored, noodles only, crushed
07 - 0.25 cup fresh cilantro leaves
08 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

→ Dressing

09 - 0.25 cup vegetable oil or toasted sesame oil
10 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
11 - 2 tablespoons honey
12 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
13 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
14 - 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
15 - 1 garlic clove, minced
16 - 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
17 - 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

# Directions:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded cabbage, rotisserie chicken, carrots, scallions, toasted almonds, crushed ramen noodles, cilantro, and sesame seeds.
02 - In a separate small bowl or jar, whisk together vegetable oil, rice vinegar, honey, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, ginger, garlic, salt, and pepper until well emulsified.
03 - Pour dressing over salad ingredients and toss thoroughly, ensuring all components are evenly coated.
04 - Serve immediately to maintain maximum crunch, or allow to rest for 10 minutes if softer noodles are preferred.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The contrast between tender chicken, crisp cabbage and those impossibly crunchy noodles creates texture in every single forkful
  • It comes together in literally twenty minutes but tastes like something from a fancy potluck
  • The sweet sesame dressing makes everything taste better than it has any right to
02 -
  • The noodles will continue softening as they sit in the dressing, so if you need to make this ahead, keep the crushed noodles separate and add them right before serving
  • Toasting the almonds and sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium heat for just two minutes transforms their flavor completely
  • Rotisserie chicken varies in saltiness, so taste the salad before adding extra salt to the dressing
03 -
  • Crush the ramen noodles into varying sizes for more interesting texture throughout the salad
  • Let the dressing sit for at least 15 minutes before tossing to allow the garlic and ginger flavors to meld
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