This pasta salad has a creamy peanut dressing and is full of fresh, crunchy veggies with no mayonnaise in sight. It’s super-simple to make and is as delicious hot as it is cold, which means you can easily make it ahead of time (and that leftovers are BOMB).
Ingredients
Ingredients
CHICKEN
2 cloves garlic, minced
Juice of 1 lime
3 tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 tbsp. grated fresh ginger
1 tbsp. packed light brown sugar
2 tsp. toasted sesame oil
1 1/2 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breasts (about 3)
PEANUT DRESSING
1/2 c. smooth peanut butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
Juice of 1/2 lime
1 tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
1 tbsp. rice wine vinegar
2 tsp. grated fresh ginger
2 tsp. sriracha
1 tsp. toasted sesame oil
1/2 tsp. sesame seeds
6 tbsp. warm water
SALAD
Kosher salt
1 lb. fusilli
1/4 medium head of purple cabbage, sliced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 large carrot, grated
1 small cucumber, cut into half-moons
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1/4 c. packed fresh cilantro, chopped
1/4 c. roasted unsalted peanuts
1 tsp. toasted sesame seeds
Directions
Directions
CHICKEN
In a medium bowl, combine garlic, lime juice, soy sauce, olive oil, ginger, brown sugar, and sesame oil. Add chicken and turn to coat. Let marinate at least 30 minutes at room temperature or up to 2 hours, covered, in refrigerator.
DRESSING
In another medium bowl, combine peanut butter, garlic, lime juice, soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, sriracha, sesame oil, and sesame seeds. Add warm water and stir until smooth and incorporated.
SALAD
Step 1
In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta, stirring occasionally, until al dente according to package directions. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta water, then drain.
Step 2
Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, cook chicken, turning occasionally, until golden and an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part registers 165°, about 8 minutes per side. Let cool 5 minutes, then cut into bite-size pieces.
Step 3
Return pasta to pot or a large bowl. Add peanut dressing while pasta is still warm. Add 2 tablespoons reserved pasta water and stir to coat, adding more as needed to loosen dressing and coat noodles. Add chicken, cabbage, bell pepper, carrot, cucumber, scallions, and cilantro and toss to combine.
Step 4
Serve warm or chilled. Top with peanuts and sesame seeds when ready to serve.