Chicken Teriyaki Salad – A Salad That Eats Like a Meal
If you’re someone who feels like salads don’t fill you up, this Chicken Teriyaki Salad is here to prove you wrong. This salad is full of protein, fresh vegetables, and all the tasty flavors of teriyaki chicken. Anything but boring describes you.
This salad has a satisfying crunch from crumbled ramen noodles. It features a rich and tangy sesame lime ginger dressing. This dish feels like a complete meal.
The best part? Pulling together is incredibly simple.
Using shredded rotisserie chicken and store-bought teriyaki sauce, you can prep this salad in no time. Whether you want a quick lunch or a filling dinner, this salad has it all. Full of flavor, high in protein, and incredibly satisfying.
The Inspiration Behind This Salad
I’ve always loved the flavors of teriyaki chicken—the balance of sweet, salty, and umami is just unbeatable. But sometimes, you want those bold flavors in something a little lighter, and that’s how this Chicken Teriyaki Salad came to be. Think of it as your favorite teriyaki stir-fry, but with the freshness and crunch of a salad.
The secret weapon here is the crumbled instant ramen noodles. These add an amazing crunch to every bite, making the salad feel indulgent while keeping it light. Pair that with a homemade sesame lime ginger dressing, and you create a dish packed with flavor and texture.
What Makes This Salad Special?
- Bold Teriyaki Flavors: Using store-bought teriyaki sauce makes it easy. It gives you that tasty mix of sweet and savory. It perfectly coats the shredded rotisserie chicken for an effortless flavor boost.
- A Crunch Like No Other: The addition of crumbled ramen noodles is a game-changer. This salad has a satisfying crunch in every bite. It includes crisp vegetables like red cabbage, cucumber, and bell pepper.
- High in Protein and Filling: This salad has 3 cups of shredded chicken and many fresh veggies. Full of protein, this option makes a great choice for anyone who wants to feel full and energized.
- The Perfect Dressing: The sesame lime ginger dressing ties everything together. With notes of lime, soy, and peanut butter, it’s creamy, tangy, and rich with umami.
What’s in the Salad?
This salad is loaded with fresh, colorful veggies and pantry staples:
- Shredded Chicken: The base of this salad is 3 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken tossed in teriyaki sauce. Quick, easy, and full of flavor. Feel free to use boneless skinless chicken thighs or boneless skinless chicken breasts.
- Red Cabbage: Adds crunch, color, and a hint of sweetness.
- Cucumber and Red Pepper: Fresh, vibrant, and perfect for balance.
- Bean Sprouts: A classic addition that enhances the crunch factor.
- Green Onions and Cilantro: These bring a fresh, herby element that lightens up the dish.
- Ramen Noodles: Crumbled ramen noodles add that crave-worthy crunch.
Chicken Teriyaki salad dressing
Let’s discuss this sesame lime ginger dressing. Rich, nutty, tangy, and sweet flavors combine all at once.
You make this sauce with soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, lime juice, peanut butter, salt and pepper, and fresh ginger. It pairs perfectly with the strong flavors of teriyaki chicken. It also doubles as a marinade if you’re making teriyaki chicken from scratch.
Why This Salad Works
This Chicken Teriyaki Salad hits all the marks:
- Quick and Easy: With pre-cooked chicken and simple pantry items, you can make this salad in under 20 minutes.
- Meal Prep-Friendly: The hearty cabbage and crumbled ramen hold up well, making this salad perfect for prepping ahead of time. Store the dressing separately, and you’ve got a fresh, crunchy salad for days.
- Versatile: You can easily swap the chicken for tofu or shrimp to suit your preferences.
Serving Ideas
This salad is incredibly versatile. Serve it as a main course for dinner or as a side dish alongside grilled meats or seafood. Also, a great dish to bring to potlucks or picnics. The vibrant colors and bold flavors make it a crowd-pleaser every time.
Make It Your Own
This recipe is wonderfully adaptable. Here are a few ideas to customize your Chicken Teriyaki Salad:
- Add Nuts: Toasted peanuts or cashews would add an extra layer of crunch.
- Spice It Up: Add some sriracha or chili flakes to the dressing for a spicy kick.
- Make It Vegetarian: Swap the chicken for baked tofu or chickpeas.
- Switch the Protein: Try shrimp or salmon for a different twist.
Other Salads you will love!
Ingredients:
- 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 1/4 cup teriyaki sauce (store bought)
- 2 cups red cabbage, shredded
- 1 full cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 red pepper, julienned
- 1/2 cup green onions, sliced
- 1/2 cup cilantro
- 1 package instant ramen noodles, crushed
- 1 cup bean sprouts
sesame lime ginger dressing
- 3 tbs soy sauce
- 3 tbs sesame oil
- 2 limes, juiced
- 2 tbs maple syrup
- 2 tbs peanut butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 inch ginger, minced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, toss 3 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken with ¼ cup store-bought teriyaki sauce. Set aside.
- Shred 2 cups of red cabbage, thinly slice 1 cucumber, and julienne 1 red pepper. Chop ½ cup green onions and ½ cup cilantro. Set aside.
- Crush 1 pack of instant ramen noodles and toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden brown. Set aside to cool.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, juice of two limes, maple syrup, peanut butter, garlic, ginger, and olive oil.
- In a large serving bowl, combine the shredded chicken, red cabbage, cucumber, red pepper, green onions, cilantro, bean sprouts, and toasted ramen noodles.
- Pour the sesame lime ginger dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Garnish with additional cilantro or green onions if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Similar recipes
Rate & leave a comment
One Comment
— End of comments —
— No more comments to load —
This is delicious! This is one of the best dressings. Highly recommend