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Ramen Noodle Cabbage Salad with Chicken

This ramen noodle cabbage salad with chicken is so tasty and comes together in minutes! Light, crunchy and the perfect combination of flavors. It’s sure to become a summer staple!

Ramen noodle cabbage salad on a white plate.
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Perfect Potluck Side Dish

Summer is around the corner and you better believe I’ll be whipping up lots of delicious and easy summer salad recipes! This ramen noodle cabbage salad is at the top of my list and has become a family favorite over the years. It’s a delicious and satisfying dish that combines the crunchiness of cabbage with the savory flavors of tender chicken and the unique texture of ramen noodles.

The flavors blend together so nicely and the cabbage and ramen give the dish that perfect crunch! It’s has sweet and savory taste and will have guests going back for seconds in no time. Other potluck favorites include this easy coleslaw and broccoli salad recipe!

This salad is the perfect side recipe to bring to a BBQ or can be eaten as a main dish for both lunch and dinner. There’s minimal ingredients and hardly any prep time, making it a simple recipe that’s thrown together in the blink of an eye! It will leave your guests thinking you spent all morning in the kitchen…it’s THAT good.

Ingredients for ramen cabbage salad in bowls on the counter.

Dressing for Ramen Cabbage Salad

The dressing for this salad is super simple, but adds great flavor! You only need 4 ingredients to make it: olive oil, rice vinegar, sugar and soy sauce. The vinegar adds a nice tang, while the soy sauce gives it that classic Asian flavor. It’s then pulled together with a sprinkling of sugar, to help sweeten it up and balance out the flavors. I like to use low sodium soy sauce to cut back on salt a bit. You could also substitute soy sauce for coconut aminos if you’d like.

Pouring dressing on top of ramen noodle salad.

Tips + Modifications

  • Chicken. I like to use rotisserie chicken for convenience. You could also make shredded chicken in the instant pot or crockpot.
  • Toasting almonds. If you have the time, make your own toasted almonds on the stove. They taste so much better than store bought! You can also toast the ramen noodles while you’re at it, to add a little more flavor and depth.
  • Ramen seasoning. Chicken ramen noodles are my preference, but other types will work too. You can also make the recipe without the ramen seasoning packets if preferred, however they just add a little more flavor.
  • Extra flavor. Feel free to add fresh grated ginger or minced garlic into the sauce for even more flavor.
  • Honey. To make healthier, you may substitute honey for granulated sugar.
  • Vegetarian. You can omit the chicken and the ramen seasoning to make the salad vegetarian. It still tastes great without it!
  • Extras. This salad also tastes delicious with the addition of mandarin oranges for a sweet bite.
  • As a side. This cold salad would also be delicious served as a side dish with bang bang shrimp tacos!
  • Serving. This salad tastes best if served within the first few hours, so that the noodles stay crunchy.

FAQs

How long does ramen noodle salad last in the fridge?

While this salad is best ate immediately the same day you make it, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 days. The ramen will become softer and it’s best if you can store the dressing separately from the salad.

Are ramen noodles healthy?

While health is subjective to each individual, this is a healthier way to eat ramen noodles due to the salad containing so many crunchy veggies!

Can I cook my ramen noodles before adding them to the salad?

You can if you would like, but the salad will be different and not as crunchy. Cook them in plain water, drain, rinse and cool before adding them to the salad.

Can I use prepackaged coleslaw?

If you want to save some time from chopping and shredding your cabbage and carrots you can definitely use a package of shredded carrots and coleslaw instead for this ramen noodle salad.

Ramen noodle cabbage salad in a green bowl with wooden spoons.

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ramen noodle salad recipe

Ramen Noodle Cabbage Salad

4.95 from 19 votes
↑ Click stars to rate now!
Author: Jamielyn Nye
This ramen noodle cabbage salad with chicken is so tasty and comes together in minutes! Light, crunchy and the perfect combination of flavors! It's sure to become a Summer staple!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound chicken , cooked and cubed
  • 4 cups shredded cabbage
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 2 packages chicken ramen noodles
  • ½ cup green onion
  • ½ cup sliced toasted almonds
  • ½ cup sunflower or sesame seeds

For dressing:

  • ½ cup olive oil
  • ½ cup rice vinegar
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1.5 teaspoons soy sauce
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • In a large salad bowl, combine the cabbage, onions, toasted almonds, seeds and broken uncooked ramen noodles and seasoning.
  • Next whisk together oil, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper.
  • Pour dressing over salad and stir until combined. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Notes

Note: This salad tastes best if served within the first few hours, so that the noodles stay crunchy.
Substitutions: For a healthier alternative, you may substitute honey for sugar. You can also make this recipe without the ramen seasoning (they just add a little more flavor). Mandarin oranges also make a great addition to this dish. 

Nutrition

Serving: 8g | Calories: 465kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 42mg | Sodium: 556mg | Potassium: 371mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 2850IU | Vitamin C: 15.9mg | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 2.5mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

Course: Salad
Cuisine: Asian

Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

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