The noodles are tender and light. The chicken is juicy, and the dressing tastes tangy with a little sweetness. Fresh veggies add crunch in every bite.
I made this salad on a hot summer day when I wanted something cool and easy. It felt fresh, filling, and still light enough to enjoy outside on the porch.
Now it’s your turn. Let’s toss up this Asian chicken soba noodle salad and make a bowl full of color and flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Reader Favorite: As one home cook shared, “This is my new go-to healthy meal!”
- Fresh and Crunchy: Crisp vegetables and tender noodles create the perfect texture mix.
- Quick to Make: Ready in just 30 minutes with simple steps.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Keeps fresh in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Great for Meal Prep: Make a big batch for easy lunches all week.
What You Need to Know Before You Start
Prep Time & Cook Time:
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: This recipe makes 4 large salad servings. Need more? Double the recipe and use a bigger bowl.
Difficulty: Easy enough for beginners but tasty enough to impress guests too.
Required Kitchen Tools
- Large pot for cooking noodles
- Medium skillet for chicken
- Large mixing bowl
- Small bowl for dressing
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Colander for draining
Ingredients for Asian Chicken Soba Noodle Salad
This colorful salad combines nutty soba noodles with fresh vegetables and tender chicken. The sesame dressing brings everything together with sweet and tangy flavors. Here’s what you’ll need:
For the Salad:
- Soba Noodles: These buckwheat noodles have a nutty taste and firm texture
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breast works best
- Bell Peppers: Use red, yellow, or orange for bright color
- Red Cabbage: Adds crunch and beautiful purple color
- Zucchini: Fresh and mild flavor that soaks up the dressing
- Cilantro: Fresh herbs make the salad taste bright
- Sesame Seeds: Toasted seeds add crunch and nutty flavor
For the Sesame Dressing:
- Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil works best
- White Wine Vinegar: Adds tangy flavor
- Sesame Oil: Just a little gives big Asian flavor
- Honey: Natural sweetness to balance the vinegar
- Dijon Mustard: Helps blend the dressing and adds mild spice
Variations for Asian Chicken Soba Noodle Salad
- Add More Veggies: Try snap peas, carrots, or cucumber for extra crunch
- Try Different Protein: Use grilled shrimp, tofu, or beef instead of chicken
- Make it Spicy: Add red pepper flakes or sriracha to the dressing
- Change the Herbs: Use mint or basil instead of cilantro
- Add Nuts: Peanuts or cashews make great toppings
How to Make Asian Chicken Soba Noodle Salad Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Cook the Soba Noodles
Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add soba noodles and cook for 4-5 minutes until tender. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking. Set aside.
2. Cook the Chicken
Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Let cool, then slice into thin strips.
3. Prep the Vegetables
Cut bell peppers into thin strips. Shred red cabbage into thin pieces. Slice zucchini into half-moons. Chop cilantro roughly. Toast sesame seeds in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes until golden.
4. Make the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, white wine vinegar, sesame oil, honey, and Dijon mustard until smooth. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
5. Assemble the Salad
In a large bowl, combine cooled soba noodles, sliced chicken, bell peppers, red cabbage, and zucchini. Pour dressing over everything and toss well. Top with cilantro and toasted sesame seeds.
Serving and Decoration
How to Serve:
- Serve chilled or at room temperature
- Garnish with extra sesame seeds and cilantro
- Add lime wedges on the side for extra zing
- Serve in individual bowls for a pretty presentation
Decoration Tips:
- Arrange colorful vegetables on top for a rainbow effect
- Sprinkle sesame seeds in patterns
- Add edible flowers for special occasions
- Use chopsticks for authentic serving
How to Serve Asian Chicken Soba Noodle Salad
This fresh salad works great for many meals:
- As a Main Dish: Perfect for lunch or light dinner
- For Meal Prep: Pack in containers for work lunches
- At Parties: Great for potlucks and summer gatherings
- With Sides: Serve with spring rolls or miso soup
- For Picnics: Travels well in a cooler
Storing Asian Chicken Soba Noodle Salad
- Fresh Salad: Keep in the fridge for up to 3 days in a covered container
- Dressing: Store extra dressing for up to 1 week in the fridge
- Meal Prep: Make components separately and mix before eating for best texture
Tips and Tricks for Success
- Don’t Overcook Noodles: Soba noodles get mushy fast, so watch the time
- Cool Everything: Let noodles and chicken cool completely before mixing
- Add Dressing Slowly: Start with half the dressing, then add more as needed
- Toast Sesame Seeds: This extra step makes them taste much better
- Cut Veggies Small: Bite-sized pieces make eating easier
- Make it Pretty: Colorful vegetables make the salad look amazing
Nutrition
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 420 |
| Protein | 28g |
| Carbs | 45g |
| Fat | 14g |
| Fiber | 6g |
| Sugar | 12g |
| Sodium | 380mg |
Asian Chicken Soba Noodle Salad
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish Salad
Ingredients
- 2 bell peppers, sliced thin
- 2 cups red cabbage, shredded
- 1 medium zucchini, sliced
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 3 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for cooking chicken)
For the Sesame Dressing:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Noodles: Boil soba noodles for 4-5 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook 6-7 minutes per side until done. Cool and slice.
- Prep Vegetables: Cut bell peppers into strips. Shred cabbage. Slice zucchini. Chop cilantro. Toast sesame seeds in dry pan for 2-3 minutes.
- Make Dressing: Whisk olive oil, vinegar, sesame oil, honey, and mustard in small bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
- Assemble: Mix noodles, chicken, and vegetables in large bowl. Add dressing and toss. Top with cilantro and sesame seeds.
- Serve: Chill for 15 minutes or serve right away.
Asian Chicken Soba Noodle Salad FAQs
Yes! This salad keeps well for up to 3 days in the fridge. The flavors get even better overnight.
You can use whole wheat pasta, rice noodles, or even regular spaghetti instead.
Traditional soba noodles contain wheat, but you can find 100% buckwheat soba noodles that are gluten-free.
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken or any cooked chicken works great.
Use a meat thermometer. Chicken is safe to eat at 165°F internal temperature.
