If you’re searching for a vibrant, crowd-pleasing dish that brings together savory, sweet, and tangy flavors with a satisfying texture, look no further than this Teriyaki Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe. This dish marries tender chicken, bowtie pasta, fresh greens, and a zesty teriyaki dressing, creating a perfect harmony that’s perfect for potlucks, family dinners, or meal prep. Every bite bursts with flavor and color, making it both a feast for your palate and your eyes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Teriyaki Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe shines because of its simple yet essential ingredients. Each plays a crucial role: from the silky farfalle pasta providing a tender base to the crunchy peanuts and fresh greens adding delightful texture and vibrant color.
- Teriyaki sauce: The star of the dressing for that sweet and savory Asian-inspired punch.
- Vegetable oil: Balances the dressing and helps it coat the pasta evenly.
- Rice wine vinegar: Adds a mild tang to brighten the flavors.
- Granulated sugar: A touch of sweetness to balance the savory notes.
- Minced garlic: Provides a gentle aroma and depth to the dressing.
- Farfalle (bowtie) pasta: Perfectly shaped to hold the dressing and mix-ins.
- Baby spinach leaves: Adds freshness and a pop of green, boosting nutrition.
- Diced cooked chicken: The hearty protein source that makes the salad satisfying.
- Honey roasted peanuts: Brings a sweet crunch that’s simply addictive.
- Dried cranberries (craisins): Introduce tart sweetness that complements the teriyaki glaze.
- Mandarin oranges (drained): Juicy bursts of citrus flavor that brighten each bite.
- Fresh cilantro (chopped): Infuses an herbaceous freshness to the salad.
- Green onions (chopped): Adds that mild onion kick and lovely color contrast.
How to Make Teriyaki Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
Step 1: Whip Up the Teriyaki Dressing
Start by combining the teriyaki sauce, vegetable oil, rice wine vinegar, sugar, and minced garlic in a small bowl. Whisk everything vigorously to create a smooth, balanced dressing that’s both sweet and tangy. Cover and pop it into the fridge so those flavors meld beautifully while you prepare the rest.
Step 2: Cook the Pasta to Perfection
Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the farfalle pasta and cook until just al dente, following the package directions carefully. Properly cooked pasta provides the ideal texture, tender but with a bit of bite, so it doesn’t get mushy once tossed in the salad.
Step 3: Chill the Pasta
Drain the pasta in a strainer and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. Shaking off excess water is essential to prevent a soggy salad. Letting the pasta cool entirely ensures the salad stays crisp and fresh when combined with the other ingredients.
Step 4: Combine Salad Ingredients
In a large serving bowl, toss together the cooled pasta, baby spinach leaves, diced cooked chicken, honey roasted peanuts, dried cranberries, mandarin oranges, chopped cilantro, and green onions. These ingredients create a colorful, harmonious mix of textures and flavors, making your salad exciting and satisfying.
Step 5: Dress and Toss
Drizzle your prepared teriyaki dressing over the combined ingredients. Gently toss everything together to ensure the dressing coats each element evenly without crushing the delicate components. This step is where all the flavors come to life, binding the dish into a cohesive, mouthwatering experience. Serve immediately or chill to let the flavors marry.
How to Serve Teriyaki Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra pop of flavor and presentation, sprinkle a few more chopped green onions or fresh cilantro leaves on top right before serving. Adding a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds can also add a nutty crunch that elevates the dish’s Asian flair beautifully.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs wonderfully with light sides that won’t overpower it. Consider serving alongside a crisp cucumber salad or a simple miso soup for a well-rounded meal. The salad’s bold flavors also complement fresh fruit or a crunchy vegetable platter.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress guests? Serve this Teriyaki Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe in individual jar salads for picnic-style fun or arrange it elegantly on a bed of leafy greens for a buffet. You can even stuff it into lettuce cups for a handheld, fresh twist that’s sure to delight everyone around the table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This salad keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for about 2 to 3 days. To preserve texture, store the dressing separately if you plan to eat leftovers later, then toss just before serving to keep everything fresh and crunchy.
Freezing
Because of the fresh ingredients and texture, freezing this salad is not recommended. The delicate greens and mandarin oranges can lose their quality upon thawing, so it’s best to enjoy this dish fresh within a few days.
Reheating
This salad is designed to be served cold or at room temperature. If you prefer, you can warm the chicken separately and add it to the salad just before serving, but the pasta and veggies are best left chilled to maintain their texture and flavor balance.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta for this recipe?
Absolutely! While farfalle (bowtie) pasta is ideal because it holds the dressing well, penne, fusilli, or rotini would also work wonderfully to capture that delicious teriyaki dressing and mix-ins.
Is it possible to make this salad vegetarian?
Yes, simply omit the chicken and consider adding extra tofu cubes or a mix of roasted veggies for protein. Tofu marinated in teriyaki sauce fits perfectly with the flavor profile.
How spicy is this Teriyaki Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe?
The salad is generally mild and sweet with a tangy kick from the rice wine vinegar. You can add a little chili flakes or sriracha to the dressing if you want to introduce some heat.
Can I substitute the marinated mandarin oranges?
If mandarin oranges are not handy, try using fresh orange segments or canned pineapple chunks. Both add a lovely sweet and juicy contrast that complements the teriyaki dressing.
What’s the best way to dice the cooked chicken?
Use cooked chicken breast or thighs for juiciness, and cut into bite-sized cubes about half an inch thick. This ensures every forkful gets a nice protein bite without overpowering other flavors.
Final Thoughts
This Teriyaki Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe is an absolute gem in my recipe collection. It’s colorful, flavorful, and packed with contrasting textures that make every bite exciting. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or preparing a simple weeknight meal, this dish promises freshness, satisfaction, and smiles all around. Give it a try—you won’t regret it!
Print
Teriyaki Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
A refreshing and flavorful Teriyaki Chicken Pasta Salad combining tender bowtie pasta, baby spinach, and diced chicken with a zesty homemade teriyaki dressing, accented by crunchy honey roasted peanuts, sweet dried cranberries, and juicy mandarin oranges. Perfect for a quick, nutritious meal or party dish.
Ingredients
Teriyaki Dressing
- 6 Tablespoons teriyaki sauce
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 3 Tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
Salad
- 12 ounces farfalle (bowtie) pasta
- 4 cups baby spinach leaves
- 2 cups diced cooked chicken
- 1/2 cup honey roasted peanuts
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries (craisins)
- 1 can (15 ounces) mandarin oranges (drained)
- 1/3 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 1/4 cup green onions (chopped)
Instructions
- Prepare Teriyaki Dressing: In a small bowl, combine teriyaki sauce, vegetable oil, rice wine vinegar, granulated sugar, and minced garlic. Whisk thoroughly until well blended. Cover the dressing and refrigerate until ready to use to allow flavors to meld.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the farfalle pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually about 10-12 minutes.
- Drain and Cool Pasta: Drain the cooked pasta in a strainer, rinse under cold running water to cool, and shake off any excess water. Set aside to cool completely to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
- Assemble Salad: In a large serving bowl, combine the cooled pasta, baby spinach leaves, diced cooked chicken, honey roasted peanuts, dried cranberries, drained mandarin oranges, chopped fresh cilantro, and chopped green onions. Toss gently to mix all ingredients evenly.
- Toss with Dressing: Drizzle the desired amount of prepared teriyaki dressing over the salad. Toss gently again to coat all ingredients evenly. Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator before serving for a colder option.
Notes
- For best flavor, chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- You can substitute grilled chicken for the cooked chicken to add a smoky flavor.
- Adjust the amount of dressing based on your preference; start with half and add more as desired.
- If you prefer a crunchier texture, toast the peanuts lightly before adding to the salad.
- Bowtie pasta can be replaced with rotini or penne pasta as an alternative.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
