Why not add this simple cold meal-prep lunch to your rotation? These Sesame Chicken Cold Rice Noodle Salad Lunches combine mandarins, cucumber, cabbage, carrots, sesame shredded chicken, and chilled rice noodles for an easy, flavorful meal-prep option.
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Summer is coming, and cold lunches are suddenly more appealing. These Sesame Chicken Cold Rice Noodle Salad Lunches are refreshing, easy to assemble, and ideal for meal prep. I’ve been experimenting with base recipes that can be used in multiple ways; this salad uses a sesame shredded chicken base but leaves room to swap components to suit your preferences.
What are the ingredients of the Sesame Chicken Cold Rice Noodle Salad Lunches?
The salad ingredients reflect my personal preferences—feel free to substitute or add vegetables you enjoy.
- Rice noodles – I tested this with Annie Chun’s Pad Thai rice noodles. Cook according to package directions, then rinse in cold water. They can be served chilled or reheated.
- Shredded sesame chicken – I use my Instant Pot Sesame Shredded Chicken recipe and its sauce, but see notes below for stovetop, slow cooker, or shortcut options.
- Sesame sauce – The homemade sesame sauce from the chicken recipe works great, though any bottled sauce or dressing can be used to change the flavor profile.
- Mandarins – Fresh or canned mandarins both work; if using canned, choose no-added-sugar varieties when possible.
- Shredded cabbage – A bagged coleslaw mix is an easy shortcut, often including shredded carrots.
- Shredded carrots – Convenient and affordable; add extra if you like more crunch and color.
- Sliced cucumber – Adds a crisp, cooling element. One large cucumber portions well across four lunches.
What kind of chicken goes in these cold rice noodle salad lunches?
The recipe uses sesame shredded chicken from the Instant Pot Sesame Shredded Chicken. I prefer shredded chicken here because it soaks up flavor, mixes easily with the other ingredients, and remains in small, manageable pieces. The sesame sauce made from the cooking liquid doubles as a dressing, so you don’t need to prepare a separate sauce. If you want to avoid heating your kitchen, the Instant Pot is convenient, but alternatives are provided below.
How can I prepare the chicken if I don’t have an Instant Pot?
You can still make sesame shredded chicken without an Instant Pot. Options:
- Stovetop: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, combine chicken and sauce. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook 20–25 minutes or until the chicken reaches 165°F. Remove and shred. Thicken the sauce by mixing 1/2 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water, whisking it into the cooking liquid and simmering until thickened. It will continue to thicken as it cools.
- Slow cooker: Add chicken and sauce to the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 3–4 hours. Remove and shred. To thicken, stir in a cornstarch slurry (1/2 tablespoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon water) and cook on HIGH for about 20 minutes, then remove the sauce to cool.
- Shortcut: Use any cooked shredded chicken (leftover, rotisserie) and toss with a bottled sesame or Asian-style dressing if you prefer a faster approach.
How do you prepare the noodles for meal prep?
I recommend Annie Chun’s Pad Thai rice noodles for this salad. Use 4 ounces (about half a standard box) for four servings. Cook according to package instructions using the minimum cook time listed, then rinse thoroughly with cold water. Portion into meal prep containers; noodles keep well in the fridge for up to four days and can be reheated if desired.
How long will this meal prep lunch last?
Store these salads in the refrigerator and enjoy within 4 days. This recipe is not suitable for freezing.
More cold lunch meal-prep ideas
- Chicken & Hummus Plate Lunch Meal Prep
- Lemon Poppyseed Couscous Arugula Salad
- Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps Meal Prep
Sesame Chicken Cold Rice Noodle Salad Lunches
Recipe by Danielle
Why not add this simple cold meal-prep lunch to your rotation? These Sesame Chicken Cold Rice Noodle Salad Lunches are full of mandarins, cucumbers, cabbage, carrots, sesame shredded chicken, and cold rice noodles for an easy meal-prep solution.
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 3 cups shredded cabbage (or bagged coleslaw mix)
- 1 cup shredded carrots (optional if included in coleslaw mix)
- 1 large cucumber, sliced
- 15-ounce can mandarins, drained (no sugar added) or 3–4 small fresh mandarins
- Prepared Instant Pot Sesame Shredded Chicken + sesame sauce (see notes for alternatives)
- 4 ounces Pad Thai rice noodles (about 1/2 box Annie Chun’s)
- Toppings: toasted sesame seeds, sliced green onions
Instructions
- Cook the sesame shredded chicken and prepare the sauce if not already done. Keep chicken and sauce separate until assembly.
- Cook the Pad Thai rice noodles according to package directions using the minimum cook time, then rinse with cold water.
- Assemble meal-prep lunches: divide ingredients into four containers. For each container use roughly 3/4 cup shredded cabbage, 1/4 cup shredded carrots, 1/4 of the sliced cucumber, about 3.75 ounces mandarin segments, 4 ounces sesame shredded chicken, 1 ounce cooked rice noodles, and a long drizzle of sesame sauce (or pack the sauce separately and add before eating).
- Store in the refrigerator and enjoy within 4 days.
Equipment
3-Cup glass containers are handy for meal prep.
Annie Chun’s Pad Thai rice noodles (recommended)
Notes
The original sesame shredded chicken recipe is made in an Instant Pot and includes a sesame sauce. The chicken can also be prepared on the stovetop or in a slow cooker, or you can use any cooked shredded chicken and a bottled dressing if you prefer a quicker method. Nutrition information is estimated with MyFitnessPal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: Stovetop (assembly)
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 meal-prep salad
- Calories: 420
- Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 59g
- Protein: 32g
Hope these Sesame Chicken Cold Rice Noodle Salad Lunches help with your next meal-prep session! I’d love to see your version—tag @projectmealplan or use #projectmealplan. Enjoy!
