Spend thirty minutes making this meal prep sesame chicken pasta salad and you will be good to go for work lunches during the week! Packed full of healthy ingredients and tossed in a tangy sesame dressing.
When it comes to lunch, I'm always looking for new ideas, particularly ones that can be made on the weekend. There is just something so nice about knowing that your delicious, healthy lunch is waiting for you in the fridge.
It gives you just a little something special to look forward to, and it helps keep you from making vending machine runs.
I'm super excited to share today's meal prep sesame chicken pasta salad recipe with you, because I've actually never done a pasta meal prep recipe...how can that be?!
Pasta salad always reminds me of summer, of picnics, and sunshine and warm weather. And maybe I'm in need of a little sunshine these days (you hear that, Mother Nature?!) But really, pasta salad is enjoyable year-round, and makes for an awesome lunch.
Today's meal prep sesame chicken pasta salad recipe is a fun twist on the regular pasta salad, with a tangy sesame vinaigrette tossed with whole wheat pasta, chicken breast and Mann's Power Blend.
Did you know it's Heart Health Month? Today I'm partnering with Mann's to bring you a heart-healthy recipe using Mann's Power Blend. It is packed full of heart-healthy superfoods: brussels sprouts, napa cabbage, kohlrabi, broccoli, carrots and kale, and is so versatile; use it to boost your salads, smoothies or stir fries.
The Power Blend veggies are packed full of nutrition to fuel you up and keep you going through the afternoon lull, and also happen to be hearty veggies that hold up great in the vinaigrette, making them perfect for meal prep.
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And having them pre-shredded and washed for you means that you can shave some serious time off your meal-prep routine!
This recipe comes together super quickly: cook your pasta, bake your chicken breasts (or use rotisserie chicken for an even quicker prep!), and shake together a simple vinaigrette.
Toss it all together with one 10 oz bag of Mann's Power Blend, divide into four containers, and you are good to go!
Total prep time for this meal prep sesame chicken pasta salad: 30 minutes. How's that for easy?
You can find Mann's Power Blend at Sobey’s, Save-On-Foods, Loblaws, and Metro in Ontario.
Thank you to my friends at Mann's for sponsoring this post! And thank you for supporting the brands that keep Sweet Peas & Saffron going. As always, all opinions are my own.
Looking for more pasta salad recipes? Try this Healthy Greek Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe!
Watch the video below to see exactly how I prepped this sesame chicken pasta salad. It’s so easy! You can find more of my recipe videos on my YouTube channel, or on Facebook.
Did you make this? Tag me on social @sweetpeasandsaffron and be sure to leave a comment and rate the recipe!
Sesame Chicken Pasta Salad
Ingredients
Pasta
- 2 cups 4.6 oz uncooked pasta
Chicken:
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
Sesame Vinaigrette
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1.5 tablepoons honey
- 1.5 tablespoon sesame oil
- ¾ teaspoons soy sauce
- 1 clove garlic optional
- ⅛ tsp salt
Other
- 10 oz bag of Mann's Power Blend
- sesame seeds
- green onions
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions.
- Heat oven to 425°F.
- Toss the chicken breasts in the sesame oil and soy sauce and bake in a small baking dish for 10 minutes.
- Flip and return to the oven for 10 (small chicken breasts) to 15 (large chicken breasts) minutes, until cooked through.
- Allow to rest for 5 minutes on a cutting board before slicing into strips.
- Shake together all vinaigrette ingredients, and toss in a large bowl with the cooked chicken, pasta, and Mann's Power Blend, until completely coated.
- Divide amongst 4 storage containers (at least 2 cup capacity), sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onions, and refrigerate.
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Nutrition Information
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Hannah says
This looks lovely what exactly is Mann's Powder Blend though? I live in the UK and we don't have that here!
Denise says
Hi Hannah! It's a slaw blend with brussels sprouts, cabbage etc. You can swap for shredded cabbage & carrots if you'd like!
Brittany McKnight says
I am super eager to try this for this coming weeks lunch prep. I will have to add my own shredded veggies though, as it appears WalMart is the only place near me that carries the Mann's product, and I won't step foot in that store. Could always add the veggies in the day of or right before eating.
Is this recipe recommended warm or cold? Or, either way?
Denise says
Hi Brittany, sorry for my late reply (we just moved!). If you can't find the Power Blend, you can sub 4-5 cups of shredded veggies I suggest similar veggies as the Power Blend such as carrots & cabbage, as they can hold up in the dressing for a few days :). Hope this helps!
Denise says
Forgot to add that I enjoyed mine cold but have had some readers enjoy it re-heated 🙂
Kristen says
FYI I found the same blend of veggies that's in the Mann's Power Blend at Wal-Mart in their bagged salads section! Some may not have a store close by that carries Mann's products.
Louise Zack says
Hello! I am so happy to have come across your page! Everything looks so delicious! Can't wait to try many of your recipes! I was wondering about the glass containers you used for the Sesame Pasta salad. They look like the perfect size.
Thank you!!
Denise says
Hi Louise! I love Snapware brand, they are 2 cup and the lids snap on perfectly (and I use mine a LOT!) These ones: http://amzn.to/2owhNzg
Lori says
Hi All-
We don't have Mann's in Seattle area that I have seen, but what we do have that works well for this is a shredded broccoli/carrot and other veggie mix. Stays crunchy with the dressing on it! I used it for this recipe and it is delicious!
Denise says
Thanks for sharing your remix! Sounds delicious!
Kellie says
Where did you find those cool glass containers for your meals?
Denise says
Hi Kellie! My favorite brand is snapware, I use the glass 2 cup containers (these ones). Amazon put the price up but they are apparently a great deal at Walmart.
Denise says
Hi Cora! You can check the store locater on Mann's website: http://veggiesmadeeasy.com/site/index.php/find-a-store/. Unfortunately we don't have Trader Joe's in Canada (but I wish we did!!) so I can't say for sure. If you can't track it down, you can substitute with 5 cups of slaw mix, something with carrots, cabbage, that sort of thing.
Jenna says
Does it get soggy with the dressing already added?
Denise says
Hi Jenna! The veggies are hearty and they retain some crunch even after four days! And the pasta hold up well, too 😀
Janet T says
Yum, I made this recipe and it is amazing. I am looking forward to having this for lunch this week, and next week too!
Denise says
Yay! I'm so happy you liked it Janet! Thanks so much for reporting back 🙂
Jennifer says
Would Brown rice Quinoa Pasta work for this ? I do have some in my pantry and hear its healthier for you then wheat pasta
Denise says
Hi Jennifer! I'm not sure, I've never tried brown rice quinoa pasta. So long as it holds up for four days, it should be fine. I know that some GF pasta can tend to get a little mushier? Would you let me know how it turns out if you try it?
marcie says
I love having lunch at the ready, but don't do it often enough! This pasta salad sounds perfect and I love Mann's salads -- they're so fresh and crunchy!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Pasta salads are one of my favorite types of lunches, and anything that reminds me of summer is a winner in my book! Love this gorgeousness, Denise! Especially with that tasty vinaigrette. Wish I had this sitting in my fridge for lunch this afternoon!
Nora | Savory Nothings says
Honestly, at this point I'm very open to try making summer magically appear outside by making pasta salad. Who knows, maybe if we all do it simultaneously, Mother Nature will get the message? Ha!
I used to be super opinionated about bagged and cut veggies... But then I had two kids and I kind of declared it's the best thing that ever happened, lol. These meal prep lunches look absolutely delicious, I bet the sesame makes it taste amazing!
Marie says
Hi ,
What is the mans power blend ? And is there anything I can substitute it with ?
Thank you 🙂
Denise says
Hi Marie, the Power Blend is a mix of shredded brussels sprouts, cabbage, kohlrabi, broccoli, carrots & kale. You can sub it with 4-5 cups of shredded veggies (try to pick ones that will hold up in dressing for a few days like the ones in the Power Blend).