rainbow ramen noodle salad with asian-chili dressing

last week, we talked a bit about a casserole classic. today let’s talk about a potluck classic – the ramen noodle salad. have you heard of it?

i have seen a few remakes to the fun dish around the web, so i took what i felt was best about all of them + combined ’em for an ambitious spin!

and i must say, this salad quickly became one of my absolute favorites! lemme tell ya three reasons why you are going to love it too!

1. it’s pretty! 
2. it’s tasty!
3. it’s a crowd-pleaser!

let’s start with the pretty.

with this salad you are quite literally tasting the rainbow! ROY G. BIV is your sassy salad host of this edible party!

there is a serious color punch with purple cabbage, orange + yellow bell pepper, green edamame + golden toasted ramen. since we eat with our eyes first, this salad is already a total win. {toss it in a blue bowl + you’ve hit all the colors!}

next, lets talk about how tasty it is!

the mix of the crisp coleslaw with the protein packed chicken, the crunch of the toasted almonds + the sweet asian dressing with a kick.. this is a total flavor homerun!

this salad also reintroduces you to ramen. it takes that college staple we all know + brings it to a whole new level by toasting it in the oven.

as for the dressing, there’s something to be said about being able to mix up a few pantry staples + create something totally delish! all hail the cubbard + it’s hidden magic!

the third reason why this salad is bomb.com is that it is a total crowd pleaser!

while this salad is perfect for summer dinners + lunches, i guarantee after you try it just once, it will become your go-to for summer potlucks as well!

i think the chilled salad with the zippy dressing + the serious veggie punch it packs is something that appeals to all guests. and don’t let those manly men skip it – they seem to love it most! i know AJ asks for it by name!

so, with the fourth of july soon upon us, i am arming you with a salad that is just as tasty as it is pretty for your weekend festivities! no summer parties on the books? create a party of one + eat the salad straight from the mixing bowl, i’ll cheers to that!

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this salad is best eaten on the first day! but if you are going to keep for lunches or premake before a party, be sure to store the components separately! in the fridge: salad mix in one tupperware, vinaigrette in another, and keep the toasted ramen + almonds in an airtight container at room temperature. i would also suggest to cut in the avocado when serving – since avocado can get a bit slimy + unawesome after day one! while that all might see complicated, i promise it’s worth it + easier to assemble than it seems!

 

 i suggest to grill the chicken! the char left on the chicken gives a great flavor balance to the crisp cool veggies. no time to cook? grab a rotisserie chicken + shred the meat for a short cut!

 

when choosing an oil for the vinaigrette, do not choose olive oil! you want to go with a light + nearly tasteless option such as canola oil, vegetable oil or grapeseed oil.

when measuring your honey, a great trick is to spray your measuring cup with cooking spray before pouring your ingredient into it. you will be able to get the perfect measurement + the ingredient will slide right out! try it! it’s a measuring magic trick!

a tip for crushing your ramen: while the package is still sealed shut, use a mallet or bottom of a pan to crush the noodles inside! you don’t want them pulverized – just broken up enough to be in bite size pieces! then open the package, remove the seasoning packet + lay onto your baking sheet!

there are so many ingredients you can interchange here! sunflower kernals are an awesome crunch factor add-in or fresh diced mango or mandarin oranges give a juicy twist! using a broccoli slaw in place of the traditional coleslaw cabbage mix is another delicious change-up. as for the dressing, most recipes will call to use the flavor packets. i would suggest to make the homemade as i have it listed + try adding in a little bit of the seasoning packet at a time to see if you prefer the flavor it adds!