Crunchy Ramen Chicken Salad (Printable)

Vibrant salad featuring shredded cabbage, rotisserie chicken, and crunchy ramen noodles tossed in a sweet sesame dressing.

# Ingredient list:

→ Salad

01 - 4 cups shredded green cabbage
02 - 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken, skin removed
03 - 1 cup shredded carrots
04 - 3 scallions, thinly sliced
05 - 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
06 - 1 (3 oz) package instant ramen noodles, chicken-flavored, noodles only, crushed
07 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, optional
08 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted

→ Dressing

09 - 1/4 cup vegetable oil or toasted sesame 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

# Cooking steps:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded cabbage, rotisserie chicken, carrots, scallions, toasted almonds, crushed ramen noodles, cilantro if using, and sesame seeds.
02 - In a separate small bowl or jar, whisk together vegetable oil, rice vinegar, honey, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, ginger, garlic, salt, and pepper until well emulsified.
03 - Pour dressing over salad ingredients and toss thoroughly to combine, ensuring all components are well coated.
04 - Serve immediately for maximum crunch, or let sit for 10 minutes if you prefer the noodles softer.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in literally 20 minutes using mostly pre-shredded veggies and store-bought chicken
  • The contrast between tender cabbage, juicy chicken, and those addictive crunchy ramen noodles makes every bite exciting
02 -
  • The noodles will continue to soften the longer they sit in the dressing, so if you're making this ahead, add them right before serving
  • Letting the salad sit for those 10 minutes allows the cabbage to wilt slightly and absorb more flavor—sometimes I actually prefer it this way
03 -
  • Toast your almonds and sesame seeds in advance and store them in the freezer—they'll stay fresh for months and you'll always be ready to make this
  • Crush the ramen into various sizes, keeping some larger pieces for satisfying crunch and smaller bits that coat everything in flavor
Return