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Easy Creamy Cold Sesame Noodles with Shredded Chicken

cold sesame noodles - featured image

A refreshing and creamy cold noodle dish tossed in a rich sesame sauce with tender shredded chicken, perfect for hot summer days. Quick to prepare and satisfying without being heavy.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces dried Chinese-style wheat noodles or spaghetti (linguine preferred)
  • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works well)
  • 1 medium cucumber, julienned
  • 3 scallions, thinly sliced
  • 3 tablespoons tahini (sesame paste)
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium preferred)
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (optional)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 34 tablespoons warm water
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
  • Red pepper flakes or thinly sliced fresh chili (optional)
  • Fresh cilantro leaves (optional)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz (225 g) noodles and cook according to package instructions, usually 6-8 minutes until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking and cool the noodles down. Set aside in a large bowl.
  2. If cooking chicken from scratch, poach 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts in simmering water or broth for 15 minutes until cooked through. Let cool slightly, then shred with forks. If using rotisserie or leftover chicken, shred directly.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp tahini, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tsp toasted sesame oil, 1 tsp grated fresh ginger, and 1 minced garlic clove. Gradually add 3-4 tbsp warm water until the sauce reaches a smooth, pourable yet creamy consistency. Taste and adjust sweetness or saltiness as needed.
  4. Thinly slice 3 scallions and julienne 1 medium cucumber into matchstick-sized pieces.
  5. Pour the sauce over the cooled noodles. Toss gently until all noodles are evenly coated. Add shredded chicken, cucumber, and scallions. Toss again lightly to distribute the ingredients without breaking the noodles.
  6. Cover and refrigerate the noodles for at least 20 minutes to let flavors meld and serve chilled. Before serving, sprinkle with 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds and, if desired, a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Notes

Rinse noodles with cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking. Use warm water to thin the tahini sauce for smooth consistency. Poach chicken gently to keep it tender and juicy. Prepare chicken and sauce ahead for quick assembly. Adjust soy sauce and honey to balance saltiness and sweetness. Add a splash of warm water or sesame oil if noodles seem dry after chilling.

Nutrition

Keywords: cold sesame noodles, shredded chicken, creamy sesame sauce, summer recipe, easy noodles, quick dinner, healthy chicken noodles