Chinese Ramen Chicken Salad

Crisp Ramen Chinese Chicken Salad consists of fried chicken, three types of cabbage, carrots, spring onions, tangerines and a sweet spice homemade salad dressing.

The chicken is totally optional, but I can never do without. With the added protein it makes a great deal Lunch or main dish for Dinner. I especially love the chicken marinated in the original Japanese BBQ sauce. It’s been sold everywhere lately, but I first found it at Costco. It tastes so good and goes perfectly with this salad! Using a roast chicken makes it possible simply so there is minimal cooking!

The oriental chicken salad is a great meal for one potluck. I remember when I was about 15 I went to a camp at a college. The first night I stayed with a girl I grew up with and her roommates. We did a small BBQ/picnic and a girl made a salad with shredded ramen noodles. I found it so strange. Years later my girlfriend gave me this recipe and it is delicious. Very light but flavorful and these ramen noodles pack the incredible crunch!

Ingredients for Chinese Ramen Chicken Salad

At first glance, this looks like a long list of ingredients, but I promise it’s worth it! The taste is so bold! Here’s what you need…

• grilled chicken: You can cook your chicken breasts yourself or buy them pre-cooked
• The original Japanese BBQ sauce: This is optional but adds amazing flavor to the chicken

dressing

• peanut oil: The base of the homemade salad dressing imparts a subtle nutty flavor
• peanut butter: You want creamy peanut butter
• Sugar: balances the acidity of the vinegar
• rice vinegar: gives the dressing a spicy note
• soy sauce: Grab low sodium to keep the dressing from being overly salty
• sesame oil: The smallest piece provides the most delicious nutty flavor

ramen

• butter: Used to toast the ramen noodles
• Ramen Noodles: Chop them up until they’re bite-sized and omit the spice packets
• almonds: sliced ​​and toasted with the ramen noodles
• Sesame seeds: You can use black or regular seeds and these are also roasted with the ramen

salad

• Chinese cabbage: has a slightly sweeter flavor and the leaves are tender and great to eat raw
• Kale: Cut into thin slices and add to the salad as a side dish
• Red cabbage: thinly chopped and provides a bright pop of color
• carrots: crushed on the cheese grater
• Green Onions: Adds the delicious onion flavor but is more subtle
• tangerines: drained and left whole

This is just meant to be a quick rundown of the ingredients needed for the salad and homemade dressing. For the required measurements of each ingredient, scroll down to the recipe card at the end of the post.

How to make oriental chicken salad

The steps to prepare Chinese Chicken Salad are really simple. I’m including the basic instructions here, but skip to the recipe card for all the details.

Check out how to make Chinese Chicken Salad with Ramen Noodles

Chicken

Place the chicken in a ziplock with the original Japanese BBQ sauce and let it marinate in the fridge. This can be done up to a day in advance, but allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes.

dressing

The dressing must be cooked on the stove so that all the ingredients are properly mixed. Put all the ingredients together in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Let it cook for a minute and then let it cool to room temperature.

ramen

In a gallon size freezer bag, shred the uncooked ramen noodles. TOP: I like to use a meat tenderizer to shred them. Very therapeutic! Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat, then add the pasta, almonds, and sesame seeds, stirring occasionally until browned. Place them on a plate to cool.

salad

Thinly slice all the cabbages, slice the spring onions and grate the carrots. Mix everything together in a large bowl. Add the drained oranges, chicken, and toasted ramen (with almonds and sesame seeds) and pour over the dressing. Stir to coat and serve immediately.

Tips for the best Chinese chicken salad

• I use a mandolin to slice my cabbage extra thin.
• If you’re in a hurry, you can use a packet of coleslaw mix to save time.
• If you can’t find that particular brand’s BBQ sauce, use teriyaki sauce to flavor the chicken.
• Add the dressing just before serving. You don’t want it to stay on the ramen noodles for too long.

How is Chinese cabbage different from regular cabbage?

Chinese cabbage has a sweeter flavor and the leaves are much more tender.

Is Cabbage Good For You?

Cabbage is a low-calorie vegetable rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Cabbage is high in vitamin C, an antioxidant that may protect against heart disease, certain cancers, and vision loss.

Variations for oriental chicken salad

You can add or omit anything you like to this salad! It is very easily customizable. Some things that could be added could be sunflower seeds, diced red peppers, snow peas, black olives, broccoli florets, edamame, etc.

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

I like to prep the pasta and homemade salad dressing in the morning and keep them separate. I often put the dressing in the fridge, then set it out on the counter an hour before dinner to fluff it up. Both could even be made a day or two in advance.

When ready to serve the salad, add the pasta and dressing to the cabbage mixture and toss to combine. Serve immediately.

How to store Chinese chicken salad

The salad should be eaten shortly after preparation, but leftovers can be stored in the fridge for a day or two. The ramen and almonds will lose their crispiness over time.

Chinese Chicken Salad with ramen noodles is a real flavor marvel, not to mention bright and beautiful! Perfect for summertime potlucks! Everyone will ask for the recipe.

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