Chicken Noodle Salad Bowl is a light and flavorful meal packed with lean protein, fresh greens, and tossed in a tangy peanut sauce. It's easy to throw together on a busy night and just as good the next day for lunch.
One of the biggest changes I made when I started focusing on healthier meals was finding ways to include more vegetables and quality proteins in a way that still felt satisfying. I've always loved the flavors in my Sesame Peanut Noodles, so that inspired this spin using lower carb pasta and ready made chicken strips!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Quick and Easy: Made with store bought chicken and pantry staples for a dinner that's ready in minutes.
Full of flavor: The Peanut sauce gets an unexpected boost from bottled Italian dressing, adding a little zip to every bite.
Perfect for meal prep: Leftovers keep well and make a great cold lunch the next day.
Key Ingredients
- Grilled Chicken Breast Strips: I used grilled and ready chicken strips for convenience and a boost of protein.
- Low carb pasta: helps keep this meal lighter without giving up that comfort food feel. Dreamfields pasta is an excellent choice.
- Super greens: a blend of spinach, kale, and chard makes the perfect base.
- Cilantro and lime: adds freshness and balance to the rich peanut dressing.
- Italian dressing: the secret ingredient in the peanut sauce, it adds tang and depth.
- Peanut butter: classic base for the sauce, bringing creamy, nutty flavor.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Swap low carb pasta with zucchini noodles or rice noodles.
- Use rotisserie chicken if you don't have grilled strips on hand.
- Replace Italian dressing with a splash of rice vinegar and soy sauce for a more traditional flavor.
Recipe Variations
- Add chopped peanuts or cashews for extra crunch.
- Toss in shredded carrots or red bell peppers for more color and texture.
- Use tofu instead of chicken for a vegetarian version.
Shelby's Top Tips
- Warm the chicken just before tossing it with the noodles so it doesn't cool down the dish too much.
- If packing for lunch, store the noodles, chicken and sauce mixture separately and mix just before eating.
- A squeeze of fresh lime over the top of the salad right before serving brightens everything up.
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This salad can be enjoyed cold or lightly warmed up.
Serving Suggestions
Serve your Chicken Noodle Salad Bowl with these fresh and easy dishes:
Related Recipes from My Kitchen
When you make this recipe, please comment below and let me know what you think. I'd love it if you tag me on Instagram @grumpyshoneybunch or #grumpyshoneybunch so I can see your photos!
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📖 Recipe
Chicken Noodle Salad Bowl
Equipment
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Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1½ tablespoons Wish-Bone® Italian Salad Dressing
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon aleppo pepper
- 8 ounces grilled chicken diced
- 6 ounces salad mix , use a power blend of kale and spinach
- ½ cup diced cucumber
- ½ cup cilantro chopped
- 4 ounces low carb pasta noodles , cooked according to package
- ¼ cup reduced fat peanut butter
- 1½ teaspoons sesame oil
- 2 small limes quartered
Instructions
- Mix water, soy sauce, Wish-Bone® Italian Salad Dressing, brown sugar blend, Aleppo pepper, peanut butter, and sesame oil together. If needed, put in microwave for 10 seconds to soften peanut butter. Set aside.
- Prepare Chicken Breast Strips as per instructions on package. Toss chicken, pasta, and peanut sauce together until chicken and pasta are well coated.
- Toss pasta mixture together with salad mix and cucumbers. Divide into 6 servings. Top with cilantro and squeeze with fresh lime juice if desired.
Erica (@Erica's Recipes) says
Oh this recipe is clever - never thought to make a Asian noodles as a salad. Looks so fresh with the greens and cucumber. Love this!
Sheena @ Hot Eats and Cool Reads says
Both my daughter and I would love this for lunch! Great flavors!
Sandra Shaffer says
I love making my own salads to bring to work for lunch! This one is making me drool! Can't wait to try this one!
Michele @ Flavor Mosaic says
This looks delicious and so easy to make. This likely will be for lunch one day next week.
Christie says
What a fun lunch this would be for me. I would feel like I've gone out to a restaurant.
Renee@Renee's Kitchen Adventures says
This looks like something I would really enjoy!! I pretty much love everything about it, including how easy it is to make!
Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama says
Wow! This looks absolutely delicious. 🙂 And I love that it is healthier.
Barely Vegan says
Great recipe! I'm glad you and Grumpy are still going strong 🙂
Sarah says
This looks delicious! What a perfect, quick weeknight meal! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
kate @veggie desserts says
I love the zing of lime you've used. It looks like a great, quick, healthy meal!
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
There is nothing better than your own homemade healthy chicken noodle bowl. Yum
Charla @ That Girl Cooks Healthy says
Yum! This salad looks delicious.
JanetGoingCrazy says
Your salad looks delicious! I might need to make one of these for my husband and me this week! [client]