Cold Sesame Noodles with Chicken (25 Minutes)

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Get ready to savor the bright, bold flavors of this Asian-inspired cold sesame noodle dish.

This recipe features a blend of tender shredded chicken, crisp carrots, and thinly sliced cucumber, all draped in a luscious sesame sauce that’s both savory and nutty.

The magic of this recipe is its versatility – it can be enjoyed as a quick weeknight dinner or a refreshing dish for a family picnic.

Whether served at room temperature or chilled, these noodles are a true crowd-pleaser!

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 8 oz (about 2 cups) of dry spaghetti noodles
  • 2 cups of cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works great)
  • 1 cup of carrots, julienned or thinly sliced
  • 1 cup of cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup of soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons of sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons of honey
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon of grated fresh ginger
  • 12 teaspoons of sesame seeds, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the spaghetti noodles according to the package instructions until they are al dente. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse the noodles under cold water to stop the cooking process. Set them aside and drizzle with a tiny bit of oil to keep them from sticking together.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, minced garlic, and grated ginger. This creates a flavorful sesame sauce.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and shredded chicken, julienned carrots, and thinly sliced cucumber. Add the cooked and cooled noodles to the bowl as well.
  4. Pour the sesame sauce over the noodle and vegetable mixture. Toss everything together until the sauce evenly coats the ingredients.
  5. You can serve this dish immediately at room temperature, or chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes for a cooler, refreshing version.
  6. Just before serving, sprinkle sesame seeds over the noodles for a delightful crunch and added flavor.

Notes

Feel free to use different noodles like udon, rice noodles, or even spiralized zucchini for a low-carb version. Experiment with other proteins like tofu or shrimp if you prefer alternatives to chicken. Add or swap vegetables like bell peppers, snap peas, or bean sprouts for variety. If you like a bit of spice, add some red pepper flakes or sriracha to the sauce. This dish can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the fridge for a fuss-free meal. Enjoy!

*Please keep in mind that the following nutritional information is based on estimates and can vary depending on the specific brands and ingredients used.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 375
  • Sugar: 9g
  • Sodium: 810mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Carbohydrates: 49g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 23g
  • Cholesterol: 47mg

Hi, I'm Alaina! As a busy mom of two, I'm tired of always wondering "what's for dinner?" That's why I created this website; to share easy and tasty recipe ideas the whole family will love. If you're not subscribed yet, join 47,098 others here - thanks for stopping by!