Sesame Chicken Pasta Salad

The recipe said salad, but we had it hot for dinner, and added vegetables so it ended up being the entire meal. I loved this one, and it was really good cold then next day. That's when it became Sesame Pasta Chicken Salad. When we had it for dinner it was just Sesame Pasta Chicken! I bet it would be good with tuna or salmon, too!

I added some sauteed vegetables, sugar snap peas and a little wilted baby spinach, but I think broccoli and carrots would be good, too, next time! There will be a next time. We liked this one.

Sesame Pasta Chicken Salad
Source: Allrecipes, posted by ohines
Printable Recipe

1/4 cup sesame seeds
1 (16 ounce) package bow tie pasta
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup light soy sauce
1/3 cup rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
3 tablespoons white sugar (I used less)
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 cups shredded, cooked chicken breast meat
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/3 cup chopped green onion

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add sesame seeds, and cook stirring frequently until lightly toasted. Remove from heat, and set aside.

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente. Drain pasta, and rinse under cold water until cool. Transfer to a large bowl.

In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine vegetable oil, soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, sesame seeds, ginger, and pepper. Shake well.

Pour sesame dressing over pasta, and toss to coat evenly. Gently mix in chicken, cilantro, and green onions.

My notes: I added sauteed sugar snap peas and when it was done, I put in a package of baby spinach and heated it until it was just beginning to wilt.I did not rinse the pasta in water, just drained. Mixed the vegetables in the bowl with the chicken and pasta, then mixed in the dressing. I served it hot but it was also good cold, next day!

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