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    Home » What We're Eating » Lunch » Sesame Chicken Pasta Salad

    Sesame Chicken Pasta Salad

    Published: May 19, 2015 by Blair Lonergan

    Jump to Recipe
    A collage image of sesame chicken salad

    Welcome the warm weather with a cool, healthy, and refreshing dish! My mom's recipe for Sesame Chicken Pasta Salad has been a favorite among family and friends for over 30 years, thanks to the perfect combination of juicy chicken, crisp vegetables, and tender pasta.

    It's all tossed together in a light Asian-inspired dressing. It's a perfect make-ahead weeknight dinner and a crowd-pleasing potluck picnic favorite!

    An overhead shot of a sesame chicken pasta salad in a bowl with a fork at the side

    Thanks to Perdue Chicken for sponsoring today's post! As always, all thoughts and opinions are mine alone. #YummerSummer

    This is such an exciting post for me today! Yes, I love, love, love this recipe; but that's not all...

    Starting today, I will be spending the next few weeks working closely with one of my absolute favorite companies, Perdue Chicken, to bring you a variety of really great recipes, family-friendly activities, and MORE. So much more!! Please stay tuned (and be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post) because I assure you, you don't want to miss this!

    Sesame Chicken Pasta Salad in a white bowl with a spoon at the side

    But first, let's focus on this recipe! Over the past few months, my mom has spent a lot of time cleaning out closets, sorting through old files, and generally organizing the house that my parents have lived in for about 35 years. As you can imagine, it's not an easy job.

    Whenever she comes across items that she thinks I might want, Mom sticks them in a box and brings them to me on her next visit. I have received soccer jerseys, trophies from my athletic past, many photo albums, and the list goes on. What have I enjoyed most, though?

    This Sesame Chicken Pasta Is An Old Favorite

    The stacks of old recipes that Mom no longer needs! These are retro recipes that are scratched on weathered index cards in handwriting from my mom, her friends, and relatives. They are the meals that I enjoyed as a child and that bring back so many memories! Paging through these files is like a trip down memory lane and it's definitely inspiration for a food blogger like myself.

    I recognized the handwriting on this particular recipe as that of my mom's best friend: Joyce (also famous for her Rich Chocolate Pudding Pie!). My mom must have asked Joyce for the recipe many years ago because it was so good...and I'm sharing it with you (30 years later)...because it's STILL SO GOOD. And the star of the show is this Perdue Harvestland® Fresh Chicken Breast.

    Harvestland Chicken Breasts in a package for making sesame chicken pasta

    Using Quality Chicken

    Harvestland® meat is pure and simple -- no hormones or antibiotics ever. The chickens are fed an all-vegetarian diet with no animal by-products and they are raised cage-free. I have been buying this chicken at my local Walmart on a regular basis because I love knowing exactly what I'm feeding my family!

    Harvestland Chicken Label close up

    Since this recipe calls for cooked chicken, I usually have Keith throw some boneless, skinless breasts on the grill over the weekend when he has the time. That way I have the tasty grilled chicken ready to go and I can keep it in the refrigerator to use on sandwiches, to feed the baby in bite-size pieces, or to toss into recipes like this! It's easy, there's no clean-up involved, and it cuts down on the preparation time later.

    Give this guy a cold beverage in a Solo cup and he's very happy to stand by the grill and cook just about anything...

    A man Grilling chicken breasts

    The chicken is combined with a lot of fresh vegetables and some pasta for a nutritious, one-dish meal! I changed my mom's original Asian-inspired vinaigrette slightly to incorporate seasoned rice vinegar and sesame oil (ingredients that probably weren't readily available in grocery stores 30 years ago). Both of those ingredients add so much flavor to an already tasty dish!

    Sesame Chicken Pasta Salad in a bowl with broccoli and other veg

    I love to make this salad ahead of time when my boys are napping or at morning preschool so that we have dinner ready to go when everyone is tired and hungry at the end of the day. It's also a great potluck or picnic dish for the summer because it feeds a crowd, it appeals to both adults and kids, and it tastes good at room-temperature.

    A close up of a Sesame Chicken Pasta Salad in a white bowl

    But the reason that I really love this recipe? It's one of those rare gems that pleases absolutely every member of our household...from Daddy all of the way down to baby! You know those meals, right? The ones that you serve and then the table is instantly silent because everyone is too busy devouring their food to even try to make conversation? Yep, it's one of those.

    When I served this for dinner not long ago, I grabbed my camera phone to snap a few pictures of my 18-month-old enjoying his meal. Isn't this reaction just the best recommendation that I could possibly give you?

    A boy Eating some sesame chicken pasta

    Take it from Spence...you NEED to make this dish!

    A boy Eating sesame chicken from a bowl

    Tips And Variations;

    • Try adding other greens such as spinach and zucchini
    • You could also try adding green beans, peas and steamed cauliflower
    • Adapt the dressing with more chili for an extra kick
    • Store in the fridge in air tight containers for 2-3 days

    Two bowls of Sesame Chicken Pasta Salad on a table

    Perdue FB Ad

    I’m going to be on Perdue’s Facebook page live on Thursday! Please come and join the conversation here.

    And in the meantime, be sure to:

    • Learn more about Perdue at https://www.perdue.com/
    • Join the Perdue Crew to get some pretty sweet rewards. https://www.perduecrew.com/
    • Follow Perdue on Facebook for recipe ideas, product information, news and exclusive savings: https://www.facebook.com/PerdueChicken
    • Follow Perdue on Pinterest for even more delicious chicken recipes: https://www.pinterest.com/perduechicken/

    Looking for other delicious ways to enjoy Perdue chicken? Try these favorites:

    • Dump and Bake Italian Chicken and Rice
    • Spencer's 5-Minute Buffalo Chicken Wraps
    • Healthy Chicken Chow Mein
    • 4-Ingredient, 4-Minute Chicken Taco Rice Bowls

    If you’ve tried this Dump-and-Bake Chicken Pot Pie Pasta or any other recipe on The Seasoned Mom, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! You can follow me on Facebook, on Instagram, on Pinterest, and on Twitter!

    Print Pin
    5 from 2 votes

    Sesame Chicken Pasta Salad

    A delicous, easy and healthy sesame chicken pasta salad that's great for make ahead lunches.
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine Japanese
    Keyword chicken pasta salad, sesame chicken
    Prep Time 15 minutes
    Cook Time 15 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 493kcal
    Author The Seasoned Mom

    Ingredients

    For the Salad:

    • 3 boneless skinless Perdue Harvestland® brand chicken breasts, cooked and diced
    • 3 ½ cups cooked small macaroni shells or other small pasta shape of choice
    • 3 cups fresh chopped broccoli florets
    • 1 red bell pepper seeded and diced
    • 8 ounces fresh snow peas or sugar snap peas cut into bite-size pieces
    • ¼ cup sliced green onions
    • For Serving: 2 teaspoons sesame seeds toasted

    For the Dressing:

    • 3 tablespoons canola oil
    • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
    • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
    • ¼ cup seasoned rice vinegar can substitute with red wine vinegar if desired
    • 1 tablespoon honey
    • 2 cloves garlic minced
    • 1 teaspoon hot sauce such as Sriracha
    • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
    • ¼ teaspoon salt

    Instructions

    • Combine cooked chicken and pasta in a large bowl. Add broccoli, bell peppers, snow peas, and green onions. Toss gently.
    • Combine dressing ingredients in a jar, cover, and shake until completely combined.
    • Pour dressing over salad. Toss, cover, and chill for a few hours.
    • Garnish with toasted sesame seeds just before serving.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 493kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 72mg | Sodium: 435mg | Potassium: 833mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1390IU | Vitamin C: 91.6mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 2.6mg

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Justine | Cooking and Beer

      May 19, 2015 at 3:02 pm

      Congrats on working with Perdue! That's so exciting, Blair! I love how not boring this pasta salad is! 😉 Pinning for later!

      Reply
      • Blair

        May 20, 2015 at 5:43 am

        Thanks so much, Justine!!

        Reply
    2. Anna @ Sunny Side Ups

      May 19, 2015 at 6:46 pm

      Mmmm...I've gotta make this pasta salad asap!! I love Perdue chicken; so exciting you'll be working with them!! 🙂 Pinned!

      Reply
      • Blair

        May 20, 2015 at 5:42 am

        Thanks, Anna! 🙂

        Reply
    3. Jeanette

      May 20, 2015 at 2:01 am

      Good Morning Blair. Everything looking very Yummy. Love seeing your 18 month old Spence in the highchair as he always looks so happy. See you have put the husband to work, lol. Salad is on my list plus the chicken & rice.

      Reply
      • Blair

        May 20, 2015 at 5:39 am

        Thanks, Jeanette! I'm glad that you'll give the recipes a try! And yes...I have to keep my boys busy! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Rachel @ Athletic Avocado

      May 20, 2015 at 7:47 am

      this is so perfect for a summer cookout!

      Reply
      • Blair

        May 21, 2015 at 3:00 pm

        Thanks, Rachel! 🙂

        Reply
    5. Stef

      May 21, 2015 at 3:39 pm

      Yummy yummy! This looks like an amazing summer recipe! Thanks for posting!
      Stef

      Reply
      • Blair

        May 22, 2015 at 4:36 pm

        Thanks, Stef!! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Miz Helen

      May 26, 2015 at 1:45 pm

      5 stars
      I love a light salad like this in the Summer, looks delicious. Thanks so much for sharing your post with Full Plate Thursday and have a great day!
      Miz Helen

      Reply
      • Blair

        May 28, 2015 at 6:34 am

        Thanks, Miz Helen! It's so perfect for this time of year! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life

      May 28, 2015 at 8:24 am

      5 stars
      This looks great, Blair! I had no idea that Harvestland was Purdue...I've been buying that. I try to avoid hormones and antibiotics as well. Your pasta salad looks fabulous...I'm always up for trying a new twist on pasta salad! Sending lots of foodie love your way!

      Reply
      • Blair

        May 28, 2015 at 10:18 am

        Thanks, Michelle! I know...I didn't realize that Harvestland was a Perdue product either until I started this campaign. I've been buying it for ages for the same reason -- love that it doesn't include any of the stuff that we try to avoid! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

        Reply
    8. Erlene

      May 28, 2015 at 3:56 pm

      It's great that you have those old recipes. I have a few from my mom too and it really does bring back old memories. Thanks for sharing this family favorite with us on Merry Monday.

      Reply
      • Blair

        May 29, 2015 at 9:25 pm

        Thanks for stopping by, Erlene!! Family recipes are THE BEST! 🙂

        Reply
    9. Cindi

      June 20, 2018 at 9:39 pm

      I came across this recipe in a recipe site email. I have been on your email list for about a year, but seeing how young Spencer is in those pictures made me smile! Can’t wait to try this recipe!

      Reply
      • Blair

        June 21, 2018 at 5:16 am

        Hah! This is too funny! It's crazy how time flies! Thanks for reminding me about this old recipe. I need to make it again soon! 🙂

        Reply

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    Hey, I'm Blair!

    Welcome to my farmhouse kitchen in the foothills of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. Inspired by local traditions and seasonal fare, you'll find plenty of easy, comforting recipes that bring your family together around the table. It's down-home, country-style cooking!

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