Irresistible Sesame Chicken Pasta Salad with Homemade Ginger Dressing: Your Ultimate Summer Recipe

This Asian-style Sesame Chicken Pasta Salad is a game-changer for your summer meal rotation! Packed with fresh lettuce, tender diced chicken, sweet mandarin oranges, and a delightful crunch from romaine and crispy toppings, it’s a dish that truly hits all the right notes. The star of the show? An absolutely irresistible sesame ginger dressing so flavorful, you’ll want to drizzle it on everything. Prepare for this to become a new family favorite!

As the days grow longer and temperatures climb, our cravings naturally shift towards lighter, more refreshing, yet utterly satisfying meals. This particular Asian-inspired salad isn’t just another dish; it’s a culinary experience designed to elevate your summer dining. From backyard barbecues to simple weeknight dinners, this Sesame Chicken Pasta Salad delivers on flavor, texture, and convenience.

The Unforgettable Homemade Ginger Dressing

At the very heart of this incredible salad lies the most delicious dressing you’ll ever whip up. Friends, prepare yourselves for a symphony of sweet, tangy, savory, ginger, and garlic notes, all perfectly harmonized with a hint of sesame. This isn’t just dressing; it’s liquid gold. I highly recommend making a double batch and keeping a mason jar full of this goodness in your refrigerator. It’s perfect for all your summer lunches and beyond!

This ginger dressing is surprisingly simple to prepare, making it a staple you’ll want to have on hand. It begins with a generous amount of rice vinegar, providing that essential tangy base. To balance this, we incorporate a touch of granulated sugar, finely crushed or minced garlic, and a substantial 1 1/2 tablespoons of fresh ginger paste – because, after all, this is a *ginger* dressing! Toasted sesame oil and low-sodium soy sauce contribute rich, umami depth, while toasted sesame seeds add a pleasant texture and nutty aroma. Finally, a clear, flavorless oil brings everything together into a smooth, emulsified dressing.

You can easily customize the sweetness and saltiness to your preference. Using two tablespoons of soy sauce will yield a sweeter dressing, whereas three tablespoons create a more balanced flavor profile with an ideal salt-to-sugar ratio. My personal preference leans towards three tablespoons for that perfect equilibrium. The beauty of this homemade dressing is its sheer simplicity: just combine all the ingredients in a mason jar, secure the lid, and give it a vigorous shake until everything is perfectly blended. It’s dangerously easy to make, and once you taste it, you’ll understand why a double batch is a wise investment!

Crafting Your Perfect Sesame Chicken Pasta Salad

Whether you’re celebrating a holiday like the Fourth of July, hosting a casual get-together, or simply enjoying a relaxed evening at home, a sesame chicken salad with pasta is an ideal choice. The preparation is straightforward, allowing you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying the summer sunshine. Consider firing up the grill for some chicken, perhaps even cooking a few extra pounds, because I’m confident your family will be requesting this delightful pasta salad for dinner multiple nights a week!

Once your chicken is cooked and cooled, simply dice it into bite-sized pieces. Combine it with freshly chopped cilantro, thinly sliced scallions, a bag of crisp romaine salad mix, and perfectly cooked pasta. Then, the magic happens: generously drizzle on that irresistible homemade ginger dressing. For an extra layer of flavor and crunch, don’t forget your favorite crunchy additions: toasted almonds, sesame seeds, and, for that ultimate textural contrast, chow mein noodles or crispy wonton strips!

That satisfying crunch truly makes this salad an experience worth savoring. Each bite delivers a harmonious blend of tender chicken, al dente pasta, crisp greens, and those delightful crunchy toppings, all coated in the vibrant ginger dressing. It’s a texture lover’s dream!

Inspired by a Classic, Elevated for You

This recipe takes inspiration from the beloved Panera sesame chicken salad that captivated taste buds back in 2015. We’ve taken that popular concept and given it a fresh, more satisfying remix. By incorporating pasta, we’ve transformed it into a more filling and wholesome meal, perfect for any time of day. The dressing has been thoughtfully spruced up, enhancing its already delicious flavor profile, and the entire dish is presented in a simpler, more approachable package. The very first bite offers a little bit of everything, allowing the flavors to beautifully unfold on your palate. You’ll first encounter a bright tang from the rice vinegar, which then mellows into a sweet note from the dressing, perfectly complemented by crunchy almonds, crisp romaine, and the perfectly cooked farfalle pasta.

Trust me, friends, this is pure love on a fork. Every bite will leave you craving more. When I describe it as irresistible, I mean it in the most serious, unbelievably delicious sense. This salad isn’t just food; it’s an experience that will have you coming back for seconds, and even thirds!

Beyond the Greens: A Balanced & Flavorful Creation

It’s important to reiterate: this is another fantastic salad recipe that isn’t just a pile of leafy greens! While fresh romaine provides a crisp base, this salad is thoughtfully balanced with substantial and flavorful components. You’ll find juicy, sweet mandarin oranges adding a burst of citrus, perfectly cooked bow-tie pasta for a satisfying carb component, and a generous amount of tender, chopped chicken to make it a hearty meal. This careful balance of ingredients ensures every forkful is exciting and fulfilling, far from a mundane side salad.

Customizing Your Salad: Options for Everyone

One of the best aspects of this Sesame Chicken Pasta Salad is its versatility. Don’t let a single ingredient preference prevent you from enjoying this delightful experience. Feel free to make simple swaps to tailor it to your taste or dietary needs:

Greens: If romaine isn’t your favorite, easily substitute it with a spring baby mix for a softer texture or any other leafy green you prefer.
Oranges: For those who prefer fresh produce over canned, opt for freshly peeled and sectioned “cuties” or tangerines instead of mandarin oranges from a tin can.
Gluten-Free: To make this salad gluten-free, simply swap out the traditional pasta for your preferred gluten-free variety. Remember to also use gluten-free tamari in place of regular soy sauce for the dressing.
Nuts & Seeds: Toasted sliced almonds add a wonderful crunch, but if you’re not a fan or have allergies, walnuts or even sunflower seeds make excellent alternatives.
Herbs: For all the cilantro haters out there (I see you!), fresh parsley can be used in its place to provide a similar fresh, herbaceous note, making the world a much better place for your taste buds.

These simple adjustments ensure that everyone can enjoy a personalized version of this delicious and satisfying salad.

Weeknight Convenience & Meal Prep Excellence

This salad is perfectly designed for busy weeknights. Here’s a pro tip: on your way home, grab a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. While the pasta boils, you can quickly prep the dressing in that handy mason jar. Then, it’s just a matter of combining everything in a large bowl. What I particularly love about this sesame chicken pasta salad is how minimal the chopping requirements are. If you opt for a pre-washed and pre-chopped romaine salad mix (as I often do!), cilantro and scallions are the only ingredients that truly demand your knife skills. This streamlined approach means you can have a fresh, flavorful, and wholesome dinner on the table in under 30 minutes.

This salad also shines as a meal prep hero. Its components hold up well, and the dressing can be stored separately, making it an excellent option for healthy lunches throughout the week. You can prepare the chicken, cook the pasta, and chop the vegetables ahead of time, then assemble individual portions as needed, adding the dressing just before serving to maintain crispness.

So there you have it, friends. Make it for dinner tonight. Pack it for lunch tomorrow. Just make it, and make it pronto!

Yield: 4-5 servings

Sesame Chicken Pasta Salad with Ginger Dressing

Prep Time
20 minutes

Cook Time
10 minutes

Total Time
30 minutes

An Asian-style sesame chicken pasta salad has tons of fresh lettuce, diced chicken, mandarin oranges, and crunchy romaine. The sesame ginger dressing is so irresistible you’ll want to pour it on everything. This salad is sure to be a family favorite!

Ingredients

Salad:

6-ounces farfalle pasta
12-14 ounces (~1 3/4 cup) cooked diced chicken*
4 cups romaine salad mix
1 (15-ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
1/3 cup toasted sliced almonds
1 cup chopped cilantro
1/2 cup chopped scallions
Wonton strips or chow mein noodles* (for serving)

Dressing:

1-2 small cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 tablespoon ginger paste (or freshly grated ginger)
1/4 cup rice vinegar
2-3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup clear flavorless oil (e.g., canola, vegetable, grapeseed)

Instructions

Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the farfalle pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking. Set aside.
Dressing: While the pasta cooks, prepare the ginger dressing. In a mason jar or small bowl, combine the minced garlic, ginger paste, rice vinegar, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, toasted sesame seeds, granulated sugar, and clear flavorless oil. Secure the lid on the mason jar and shake vigorously, or whisk thoroughly in a bowl, until all ingredients are well combined and the sugar has dissolved. Taste and adjust soy sauce for a more balanced (3 tbsp) or sweeter (2 tbsp) flavor.
Assemble Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, diced cooked chicken, romaine salad mix, drained mandarin oranges, toasted sliced almonds, chopped cilantro, and chopped scallions.
Dress and Serve: Pour the desired amount of homemade ginger dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss gently to ensure all components are evenly coated. Serve immediately, garnished with crispy wonton strips or chow mein noodles for an extra crunch.

Notes

Grilling Chicken: If you prefer to grill your own chicken, a simple marinade works wonders. Combine 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 teaspoon sugar, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for a kick), 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil. Marinate the chicken for about 20 minutes, then grill until fully cooked. Let it rest at room temperature for a few minutes before dicing to keep it juicy.
Crunchy Toppings: Wonton strips are often found in the salad aisle of most grocery stores, near the croutons. Chow mein noodles are the crispy, often packaged variety typically found in the Asian section of the international aisle, sometimes in a blue can. Both add a fantastic textural element.
Storage: Leftover salad dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. However, given how delicious and versatile it is, it’s unlikely to last that long! Store assembled salad without dressing, adding dressing just before serving, to maintain optimal freshness and crunch.

Have you made this recipe?

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