Ramen Noodle Chinese Chicken Salad
Crunchy ramen noodle Chinese chicken salad. An oriental salad made with ramen noodles that is so good it will ruin all other Chinese chicken salads for you.
Before I got married I had a very easy last name. Parks. Everyone could spell it, and everyone knew how to pronounce it. I completely took this for granted, until I got married.
Now I have a hard last name. Gruendl. It’s pronounced Grundle, rhymes with “bundle”. So very German sounding, right?
When you get married, there’s a spot on the marriage license application for Brides New Last Name and Grooms New Last Name. I half jokingly asked Shawn if we could just change the spelling to Grundle, that way everyone would know how to pronounce it. He actually thought about if for a few seconds, but then said no. So Gruendl it is.
I have never heard anyone pronounce it right the first time. I get a lot of “Groo-en-dulls” or “Grundie” if they think the L on the end is an I. But yesterday, for the first time ever, someone got it right on the first try! A solicitor called, and asked if I was Natalie Gruendl, but actually said Gruendl right.
“Yes! You said my last name right! Wow! No one has ever done that!”
Quite the historic day for me.
Today is also a historic day for you, because you are currently looking at the GREATEST ramen noodle Chinese chicken salad. It may just change your life. I can’t order Chinese chicken salads in restaurants anymore, because none can compare to this one.
I first had this salad when Shawn’s mom made it for me. When I saw it had raw, uncooked ramen noodles in it, I’ll admit I was skeptical. But after eating it I was in love. The ramen noodles give it an amazing crunch, and they stay crispy for a long time. This salad has now become a staple at our house and is dinner at least once a month. Shawn loves it served with some pan fried pot stickers. I buy that big bag at Costco. It is the perfect pairing.
Along with the ramen noodles, this Chinese chicken salad is packed with healthy goodies like shredded cabbage, cilantro, green onions, red bell pepper, and chicken. But the chicken is completely optional. If I happen to have leftover chicken, or a rotisserie chicken I’ll add it in. If not, the salad is still amazing without it.
Ramen Noodle Chinese Chicken Salad
Ingredients
Salad
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 large head iceberg lettuce, sliced
- 14 ounce bag of shredded coleslaw mix
- 1 bunch of cilantro, chopped
- 1 bunch of green onions, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 8 ounces cooked chicken, chopped (optional)
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1 package ramen noodles, seasoning packet removed, crushed
Dressing
- 1/3 cup avocado oil
- 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame seed oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay the chicken breasts on the parchment paper, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast in the oven until the chicken has an internal temperature of 165ºF, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat, rest for 10 minutes, then chop the chicken into bite sized pieces.
- In a small mixing bowl, make the dressing by combining all the ingredients and whisking. Taste for flavor. Feel free to add more of any of the ingredients to suit your taste, such as more honey or more vinegar or more sesame seed oil. Set aside.
- In your largest salad bowl, combine all the salad ingredients. Top with the desired amount of dressing, toss to combine.
Notes
More of my salad recipes you’ll love:
Rainbow Chopped Thai Chicken Salad
Cucumber & Carrot Noodle Thai Salad
Simple Arugula Salad with my favorite Balsamic Vinaigrette
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68 Comments on “Ramen Noodle Chinese Chicken Salad”
Loved this salad! Offers a nice change to our salad routine.
Thank you! So glad you liked it!
Any suggestions for gluten free crunch? Thank you!
I add in even more sliced almonds! I haven’t been able to find a gluten free ramen that works as well in the salad. If you ever find a great swap let me know, I’d love to try it out!
I have been making this or years! I found it in my mom’s military cookbook from the 60’s. I have never made a bad recipe from this cookbook. I guess those military wives Knew how to cook.
I’d love to get my hands on that Military Cookbook! Bet they are some delicious recipes in there : )
Hi. This salad sounds wonderful. I cant eat honey so was wondering if I should substitute with sugar or maple syrup? Or something else? Thanks for the help.
Yes! You can substitute white sugar, coconut sugar or maple syrup! I’ve done all 3 : )
Hi Natalie, I just saw this recipe today on Thrill List. Congrats! I am a Thrill List crazy fan!
I can tell i am going to love this salad. Question – any suggestions on how to possibly skinny this up some? 1.25 cups of vegetable oil is a LOT. And I am trying to eat more healthy these days. Other than that, it looks dreamy!!!!
Thank you, Natalie. I am glad I found your site.
https://www.thrillist.com/recipe/nation/12-summer-bbq-side-dishes-you-can-make-in-15-minutes/grillist
So glad you found me! And thanks for the link. Didn’t even know I was on there. So fun!
And you are so right. My recipe for this salad dressing is WAY off. I make this salad about once a week, so I adjusted it to how I make it now. You are going to love it! It’s a big favorite in my house.
Hi friend. So I got a new computer, and it will actually let me go to your website. I think I informed you my old crappy computer didn’t like me going to your website :( Anyways, happy to be back on here. I missed your writing, and your videos. New music since I last watched one :D Awesome!! love the story about your last name! People usually pronounce my last name wrong too…IDK why?!?! I feel your frustration lol. Love the flavors of this salad. Plus it’s nice and colorful. Ramen is so in right now too…just saying! Tried a ramen burger yesterday in fact! Have a lovely Sunday! XO
Hi Kelly! So glad your computer likes my site now! And congrats on the new computer too! Glad to have you back Ms. New York Chef ; )
And yes, new music! Finally got around to putting ads on my YouTube videos, but you can’t “monetize” videos with music that is copyrighted. So had to go thru every. single. video and change it to a “free to use” song from YouTube. But luckily I found one I like!
Glad I’m not the only one with last name problems. And I’ve seen the ramen noodle burgers! Was it good? Seems like it would be a little tricky to eat, but probably so delicious!
Very cool! And just saw that you wrote that when I was re-reading the article. Sorry, long day. Either way, thanks for the comment. I don’t know much about living off the grid, but I like things are more earth friendly – whether it’s shade grown coffee or doing something at home to conserve energy..-= Mike Cr1#sinm&mi80;s last blog .. =-.
This Chinese chicken salad is ticking all the boxes for me! It looks so delicious, Natalie! Love all the flavours, so refreshing too and that dressing sounds so tasty! :D
I feel you on the last name thing. No one ever gets it right. But you know what is right? This salad. Holy ramen noodles I am in love. Pinned!
YUM!! I love chinese chicken salads and have never made one at home so I can’t wait to try this one. I have been eating the same salads over and over and I am so bored of them so this is perfect timing. Have a great weekend Natalie!
That’s so funny, the first time i had a salad like this it was from my mother in law!! Our husband’s mom’s know where it’s at. I LOVE the crunch from the ramen noodles. So good! Lovely photos Natalie!!
YUM!! This looks amazing!! So healthy and nourishing! :) Great recipe girl!! Love it!
I do love asian chicken salads.. so this recipe is just ideal for me. It’s so fresh, healthy and delicious – perfect for the Summer weather here in Australia!
I hate my last name and always wanted to change it…but Ben’s last name is crazy long, has a silent z and an ‘sch’ (domaschenz)…NO ONE pronounces it right! I think I will change my name anyway ;) I am SO on board with this salad…crunchy raw ramen noodles has always been a totally guilty pleasure of mine! Looks so crunchy and delicious!
Just look at how amazing this salad looks. I love a new and delicious salad so thanks for posting this.
Kay of Pure & Complex
www.purecomplex.com
What an amazing salad and I love those potstickers from Costco. They must be delicious together.
I totally get the last name thing. When I first met my husband, it was at a loud party and I thought he said his last name was Marley. Turns out it was Mahrlig and no one can pronounce it or spell it. I tried to convince him we should change it to Marley but it didn’t work.
Oh yay! I’ve been pronouncing your last name right in my head all along haha ;) My maiden name was Italian and people ALWAYS mispronounced it. Now it’s three letters and people still get it wrong. But if it makes you feel any better, I get called Daniel all of the time.
By the way, this salad sounds incredible! What a fun way to use ramen noodles, love it!
This salad sounds so similar to one I started making a few years ago. That crunch from the ramen is seriously addicting. I love crunchy pieces in my salads. I’ll have to try your version!