Crunchy Ramen Chicken Salad (Printable)

Refreshing mix of cabbage, chicken, and crispy ramen noodles with a sweet sesame Asian-style dressing.

# What You Need:

→ Salad Base

01 - 4 cups shredded green cabbage
02 - 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken, skin removed
03 - 1 cup shredded carrots
04 - 3 scallions, thinly sliced

→ Crunchy Toppings

05 - 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
06 - 1 (3-oz) package instant ramen noodles, chicken-flavored, crushed
07 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
08 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted

→ Sesame Dressing

09 - 1/4 cup vegetable 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 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
17 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

# Directions:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, add shredded cabbage, rotisserie chicken, carrots, scallions, toasted almonds, crushed ramen noodles, cilantro, and sesame seeds. Toss gently to distribute evenly.
02 - In a separate small bowl or jar, whisk together vegetable oil, rice vinegar, honey, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, grated ginger, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until fully emulsified and smooth.
03 - Pour the sesame dressing over the salad mixture. Toss thoroughly using salad spoons or hands, ensuring all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
04 - Serve immediately for maximum crunch from the ramen noodles. Alternatively, let stand for 10 minutes to allow noodles to soften slightly before serving.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It comes together in literally 20 minutes flat, making it my savior when I realize guests are arriving sooner than expected
  • The contrast between crisp cabbage, tender chicken, and those addictive crunchy noodles creates texture that keeps everyone coming back for just one more bite
02 -
  • I learned the hard way that adding the dressing too far in advance turns this into a soggy mess—always dress right before serving
  • The ramen noodles will continue softening in the fridge, so if you're prepping ahead, keep them separate and add them just before serving
03 -
  • Toast your nuts and sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat, shaking frequently, until they're fragrant and golden—this single step transforms the entire salad
  • Crush the ramen noodles into varying sizes, from pea-sized to quarter-sized, so you get interesting texture in every bite rather than uniform crunch
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