You're going to love this Asian chicken soba noodle salad with a tangy sesame vinaigrette and a whole rainbow of fresh veggies for a tasty lunch or dinner. Fresh, crunchy and easy to customize with your favorite salad add ins.
There is just something so refreshing about a cold noodle salad. I am a huge fan of this Greek Chicken Pasta Salad, and these Cold Sesame Noodle Meal Prep Bowls. But soba noodles might just be my favorite noodles to use in a salad because they are just so good served cold!
Not only is this salad super tasty with the shredded honey lime chicken and sesame vinaigrette, but it's pretty to look at, too!
While I've used cabbage, zucchini and bell pepper, it's the perfect salad to use up what you have in your fridge.
Reasons youโll โก this Asian chicken soba noodle salad
Recipe Video
Wondering how this salad all comes together? Watch the 1-minute recipe video below! Find more of my videos on my YouTube channel.
Let's talk ingredients!
Here's what I used to make this soba noodle salad:
- soba noodles- made with buckwheat flour, these are naturally gluten-free. You can find them in the Asian section of your grocery store.
- shredded chicken- I've used this Slow Cooker Honey Lime Chicken, but any pre-cooked + shredded chicken can work here
- vinaigrette- with a base of tangy white wine vinegar and a hint of sesame oil
- veggies- shredded cabbage, bell pepper and zucchini were used but swap in a bag of slaw mix for an easy shortcut!
- cilantro- gives it a pop of fresh flavor
- sesame seeds- for a little crunch and visual pizzaz when serving
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Tips for the perfect salad
Does this recipe work for meal prep?
Unfortunately, leftovers do not keep well for meal prep as the soba noodles get too soft. You could try swapping for a sturdy pasta shape like rotini.
This recipe works for meal prep if you prep the veggies + chicken + vinaigrette ahead. Find it as part of my Honey Lime Chicken Meal Prep Plan!
Variations
This is such a versatile recipe. Here are some swap ideas for cold soba noodle salad:
- swap the sesame vinaigrette for the peanut sauce in this recipe
- swap the chicken for chickpeas to make it vegetarian
- swap the veggies for pretty much any veggie in your fridge or a bag of slaw mix
- swap the sesame seeds for toasted peanuts
Looking for more salad recipes?
Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!
Asian Chicken Soba Noodle Salad
Ingredients
- 2 bunches soba noodles (180 g/6.4 oz)
- 2 cups shredded chicken (I recommend this Slow Cooker Honey Lime Chicken)
- 2 bell peppers (sliced thinly)
- 2 cups red cabbage (shredded)
- 1 zucchini (shredded)
- ยฝ cup cilantro leaves (chopped)
- Toasted sesame seeds to garnish
Sesame Vinaigrette:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 ยฝ tablespoons honey
- ยฝ teaspoon Dijon
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to boil, and cook soba noodles for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender, but not mushy. Drain and rinse under cold water. Set aside
- Combine cooled soba noodles, chicken, bell peppers, cabbage, zucchini and cilantro in a large bowl.
- Shake together vinaigrette ingredients and drizzle over the salad. Toss to coat.
- Serve with toasted sesame seeds to garnish.
Meal Prep
- Leftovers of this salad do not keep for more than 24 hours, however you may cook the chicken, prepare the vegetables and shake up the vinaigrette up to 4 days ahead.
Would you like to save this?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Video
Nutrition Information
© Sweet Peas & Saffron - Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Caira says
Where do you buy Soba noodles? I've checked the Asian and Organic aisles at Superstore, Sobeys, Save-on, and Co-OP with no luck. I loved the other 2 recipes part of the 7 ingredient meal prep and am hooked! Can't wait to try this recipe tonight!
Denise Bustard says
Hi Caira! I purchase mine at Real Canadian Superstore...they always seem to have it in Calgary! If you can't find, whole wheat spaghetti will also work. Hope you enjoy!
Sherry says
Iโm so happy I tried this yaki soba salad. I
Bought the recommended buck wheat noodles off of Amazon and topped with your honey lime chicken crock pot recipe. Just wow!!! All the goodness and delicious- ness ๐ I am saving both recipes along with the dressing recipe. Thank you for sharing!
Christina Greening, RDN says
Made this recipe tonight as part of the 7 Ingredient Meal Prep Plan... had the chicken made already from earlier this week.
Some modifications to this delicious recipe: we used 2 packets Ramen noodles (no flavor packets) and to our surprise we used them cold as part of the recipe and it worked out perfect (no soba noodles, used what we had). Prepped the veggies here with addition of mushrooms. After making the salad dressing, this was squeezed into the cabbage so that the cabbage would take on the flavor, then the rest of the veggies, chicken, toasted sesame and noodles were all tossed in a large bowl and then served. Thanks so much, I've saved this as a "repeat recipe".
Denise says
So happy to hear you enjoyed, Christina! Thanks for leaving a review with such helpful feedback, I really appreciate it <3
Jennifer @ Show Me the Yummy says
Holy yum this looks amazing!!
Denise says
Thanks, Jennifer!
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
LOVE soba noodle salads! They make for the most delicious of dinners (and the best left overs for work the next day too). I have to make this Denise!
Denise says
Thanks Thalia! I love that soba noodles keep for the next day's lunch ๐
marcie says
I love eating leftovers over and over but my husband not so much! I'd happily eat this chicken all week, and this salad looks like a great way to enjoy it! It's so colorful, and your photos are beautiful!
Denise says
Thanks so much, Marcie! I wanted to find some not-boring ways to eat the left-overs!