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This light, healthy, and fresh Southwestern Chicken Ramen Salad is an easy side dish for cookouts or picnics, a simple make-ahead dinner, or an easy lunch to keep on hand. Loaded with veggies and dressed in a homemade Southwestern Lime Vinaigrette, it’s a flavorful dish that’s full of satisfying tastes and textures!

A bowl of chicken ramen salad sitting on a wooden surface with vegetable in the background

 

Have you guys ever tried that Asian-flavored ramen coleslaw that seems to be pretty popular? I first had it at a church potluck about 10 years ago, and I’ve been making my own version ever since. It’s really good, but I don’t love the fact that the dressing is made with the weird ingredients from the Ramen Noodle seasoning packet — homemade dressing is always BEST.

That’s why I decided to change up the recipe and give it some Southwestern flair — which is always a popular way to go, right? Best of all, this recipe uses my own Southwestern Lime Vinaigrette (which is just as easy as using the seasoning packet…minus any MSG!), and it’s a total crowd-pleaser!

A close up of a chicken ramen salad in a bowl with peppers and avocados in the background

Top Tip For Making This Ramen Salad

Adding chicken to the dish is totally optional, but it gives a nice protein boost and makes the salad feel more like a total meal rather than just a side option. I live with 4 carnivorous boys, though, so take that with a grain of salt. If you don’t do meat as much as my family does, some extra beans would be a perfect substitute!

A bowl of southwest chicken ramen sitting on a colorful tablecloth

You’re going to love the crunch of the ramen noodles and the almonds, mixed with the creamy avocado and the fresh, crisp veggies! I took this to a recent cookout with friends and it was definitely a hit!

Happy picnicking, friends!

Looking for other great picnic dishes for the season? Try these favorites:

If you’ve tried this Southwest Chicken Ramen Salad or any other recipe on The Seasoned Mom then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! You can also follow me on FacebookTwitter, Instagram and Pinterest to see what I’m getting up to.

Southwestern Chicken Ramen Salad

5 from 2 votes
Prep: 25 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings 16 servings
Calories 165 kcal
A light, healthy and delicious southwest chicken ramen salad that's perfect for picnics, lunches or a make-ahead dinner.

Ingredients
  

  • 2 packages 14 ounces each coleslaw mix
  • 1 cup diced cooked chicken
  • ½ cup corn kernels frozen, canned, or fresh
  • ½ cup black beans rinsed and drained
  • 1 avocado diced
  • 1 red bell pepper diced
  • 6 green onions chopped
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 packages 3 ounces each ramen noodles, seasoning packets discarded
  • ½ cup slivered almonds toasted

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, combine coleslaw mix, chicken, corn, black beans, avocado, bell pepper, and green onions.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients: olive oil, cider vinegar, lime juice, honey, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper.
  • Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat.
  • Refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • Crumble ramen noodles (uncooked) into small crunchy pieces. Discard ramen seasoning packet.
  • Just before serving, stir in noodles and almonds.

Notes

*This dish feeds a very large crowd! If you’re making it for a family dinner or for a smaller group, you can definitely cut the ingredients in half!

Nutrition

Calories: 165kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 4gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 6mgSodium: 210mgPotassium: 232mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 390IUVitamin C: 21.5mgCalcium: 27mgIron: 0.9mg
Keyword: Chicken Salad, ramen salad
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Japanese
Author: The Seasoned Mom

 

blair

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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Comments

  1. I’ve never had a ramen salad before, but I’m loving the looks of it! Even better that it has a southwestern kick. So pretty and perfect for picnics and the summer!

  2. I do love anything with the word ramen in it – and this looks like the perfect summer salad with just the right amount of kick! Yum!

        1. Hey, Cheyenne! I honestly don’t know — the calculator just divided the full ingredient list by 16 and that’s the info that you get. If you need an exact measurement for 1/16 of the recipe, you’ll just need to prepare the dish and then see how many total cups it yields. Sorry I can’t be more helpful there!