Chicken Ramen Salad
A crunchy, savory chicken ramen salad packed with toasted nuts, fresh vegetables, and flavorful dressing, perfect for potlucks, picnics, or a quick, satisfying meal.
Ingredients
- 1 cup sliced almonds ⓘ
- 1/2 cup sesame seeds ⓘ
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds ⓘ
- 6 cups cabbage
- 1 cup green onion ⓘ
- 1 small bell pepper ⓘ
- 2 packages Top Ramen (any flavor) ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 1 cup plain rice vinegar
- 1/2 cup oil ⓘ
- 1/2 cup sugar ⓘ
- Seasoning packet from Top Ramen ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons oil ⓘ
Instructions
- Brown sliced almonds, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds in 2 tablespoons of oil.
- Chop cabbage, green onion, and bell pepper finely.
- Mix all the chopped vegetables and toasted seeds together in a large bowl.
- Add uncooked Top Ramen noodles broken into small pieces to the mixture.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, oil, sugar, salt, pepper, and seasoning packet from Top Ramen to make the dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine thoroughly.
Tips & Substitutions
For added crunch, toast the seeds until golden brown but be careful not to burn them. You can substitute the sunflower seeds with pumpkin seeds for a different flavor profile. If you prefer a lighter dressing, reduce the sugar or use a sugar substitute. Feel free to add protein like grilled chicken or tofu to make it more filling. This salad pairs beautifully with Shrimp 'N Aspic.
Serving Suggestions
This salad is great as a standalone dish but can also be served alongside grilled chicken or fish. Consider pairing it with a light soup like Cream Of Barley Soup for a complete meal. For a more substantial option, serve with a side of Cajun Chicken Breasts or a fresh fruit salad for a balanced plate.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftover Chicken Ramen Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. It's best to keep the dressing separate until you're ready to serve to prevent the salad from becoming soggy. To refresh the salad, simply toss it with a little additional dressing before serving.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken Ramen Salad contains roughly 437 calories, with 13g protein, 24g carbohydrates, and 35g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (88% of the Daily Value), protein (27% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (27% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron and vitamin A. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1070mg per serving (47% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the salad a day in advance. Just keep the dressing separate until you're ready to serve to maintain the crunchiness of the noodles and vegetables. Mix everything together shortly before serving to ensure freshness.
Is there a vegetarian version of this dish?
Absolutely! To make a vegetarian version, simply omit any animal-based protein and ensure your Top Ramen flavor is vegetarian-friendly. You can also add more veggies or use tofu to enhance the protein content without meat.
What can I use instead of Top Ramen?
If you want a healthier option, you can use whole wheat or rice noodles instead of Top Ramen. Just cook them according to package directions and break them into smaller pieces. Adjust the seasoning in the dressing to suit your taste.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).