Asian Pasta Salad with Sesame Dressing
Asian pasta salad is a vibrant, flavorful dish that brings together the best of both worlds: the satisfying texture of pasta and the bold flavors of Asian-inspired ingredients. This dish combines crunchy vegetables, juicy rotisserie chicken, and a sesame-soy dressing that makes it irresistibly good. Perfect for a summer picnic, a potluck, or as a side dish at a barbecue, this recipe is simple to make and sure to impress
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 25 minutes mins
Course Toasted Salad
Cuisine Asian-American
For the Dressing
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
For the salad
- 12 ounces bow tie pasta (about 4 cups)
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, chopped or rotisserie chicken
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 3/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
- 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup slivered almonds or peanut pieces (optional for extra crunch)
Prepare the Dressing: In: In a small jar or bowl with a tight-fitting lid, combine vegetable oil, rice vinegar, brown sugar, sesame oil, soy sauce, and toasted sesame seeds. Shake or stir well to mix the ingredients until the sugar dissolves. Set aside.
Cook the Pasta: Boil the bow tie pasta in salted water according to package instructions (about 10 minutes). Drain and rinse with cold water to cool the pasta down. Drain well and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
Prepare the Vegetables and Chicken: Shred the carrots, chop the cilantro, slice the green onions, and dice the red bell pepper. If using rotisserie chicken, shred it or cut it into bite-sized pieces
Assemble the Salad: Add the shredded carrots, cilantro, green onions, red bell pepper, and chicken to the bowl with the pasta. Shake the dressing again and pour it over the salad. Toss everything together until evenly coated.
Add Crunch: Just before serving, sprinkle slivered almonds or peanuts on top for an extra crunchy texture.
- Make-Ahead: You can prepare the pasta ahead of time. Store the cooked pasta in a plastic bag with a little vegetable oil to prevent sticking. Assemble the salad up to 2 hours before serving.
- Add Protein: You can add grilled shrimp or tofu for a more filling salad.
- Flavor Adjustments: If you prefer a spicier salad, add a little sriracha or red chili flakes to the dressing for heat.