Fresh Mango and Chicken Noodle Salad Summer Recipe

This chicken noodle salad mixes mango’s sweet and tangy flavors with tasty chicken and hearty noodles. It is a top pick among summer salads. The recipe comes from Plates and Palates, a loved café since 2004. It’s refreshing, nutritious, and perfect for any outdoor event or a casual family lunch. Everyone will enjoy this mango chicken salad recipe.

The dish includes savory chicken, juicy mango, and crisp veggies, all mixed with a sweet and tangy dressing. Shared first in 2018, the cafe’s recipe was updated in July 2023. It now has even better flavor balance and overall taste. If you’re new to summer salads or want a new twist, this mango chicken noodle salad will invigorate your taste buds.

Key Takeaways

• A refreshing mango chicken noodle salad perfect for summer dining.
• Simple to prepare with a total time of 20 minutes.
• Packs in rich flavors with balanced nutrition.
• Recipe adapted from the popular Plates and Palates café.
• Great for outdoor gatherings or light family meals.

Introduction to Mango and Chicken Noodle Salad

The Mango and Chicken Noodle Salad is a fresh take on summer meals. It’s perfect for those wanting to eat well without losing out on taste or health benefits. It features soba noodles, juicy mango slices, and tender chicken. Together, they create a mix of textures and flavors that refresh and satisfy.

This salad stands out because of its colorful veggies like red cabbage, carrots, and cherry tomatoes. These not only look good but are also full of nutrients. Herbs like mint, coriander, and basil add a burst of freshness. Making this salad is simple, and it’s packed with natural goodness.

To make this dish even more tempting, use soba noodles that cook in no time. Add 300g of perfectly cooked chicken breast and peanut lime dressing for a spicy, savory kick. The salad is a top choice for a healthy, flavorful meal.

This salad has about 299kcal per serving, with a good mix of carbs and protein. The mango adds sweetness and plenty of vitamins A and C for extra health points. You can also customize it with garnishes like coconut flakes and crushed cashews to make it your own.

The Mango and Chicken Noodle Salad is a great choice for anyone seeking healthy yet delicious summer meals. It shows how smart ingredient choices and easy recipes can create an enjoyable eating experience.

Ingredients for Mango and Chicken Noodle Salad

A fresh, vibrant salad is made of ripe mangoes, juicy chicken, and delicate noodles. It’s perfect for summer. These key ingredients make a meal both nutritious and delicious. Let’s dive into what you’ll need.

Essential Ingredients

The base of this recipe is its essential ingredients. They bring out the core flavors and textures. Here are the must-haves for your Mango and Chicken Noodle Salad.

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 200 grams rice noodles
• 2 diced mangoes
• 4 diced mini cucumbers
• 1 sliced red bell pepper
• 2 sliced carrots
• Handful chopped basil leaves

Optional Additions

For more complexity and depth, you can add these optional ingredients. They enhance taste and texture, adding new layers to the dish.

• 1 sliced red chili (for extra heat)
• Chopped coriander (for added freshness)
• Additional seasoning elements like salt and pepper

Preparing the Mango and Chicken Noodle Salad Dressing

Making a wonderful mango dressing for your salad is easy and fun. This homemade dressing mixes sweet and tangy tastes just right, making your salad stand out.

Steps to Make the Dressing

1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lime juice, 4 tablespoons of fish sauce, 2 tablespoons of honey, and 2 teaspoons of sesame oil.
2. Add a pinch of black pepper and a dash of salt to taste.
3. Optional: For extra flavor, incorporate 2 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes for a hint of spiciness.
4. Blend until a smooth, consistent mixture is achieved.

Variations and Tips for the Dressing

• Adjusting Sweetness and Acidity: You can change the honey or lime juice amount to suit your taste.
• Nutty Twist: Add 1 tablespoon of natural peanut butter for a savory, creamy flavor.
• Fresh Twist: Incorporate 1 tablespoon of freshly minced ginger for a refreshing zing.

With this versatile homemade dressing, your mango and chicken noodle salad will surely impress your guests.

How to Cook the Noodles Perfectly

Getting your noodles just right is crucial for a tasty Mango and Chicken Noodle Salad. When cooking vermicelli noodles, soaking them properly is key. They should soak up the right amount of water without getting mushy. We’ll look at how to pick the best noodles and how to cook them right.

Choosing the Right Noodles

Picking the best noodles is essential for a great salad. Vermicelli rice noodles are perfect because they’re light and cook fast. These noodles are a good gluten-free noodle option too. They’re thin and blend well with the rest of the salad ingredients.

Cooking Instructions

Cooking vermicelli noodles is easy and fast. Begin by soaking the noodles in hot water. This step is crucial for preparing noodles for salad. Here’s how to do it step by step:

1. Boil a pot of water and then turn off the heat.
2. Put the vermicelli noodles in the hot water. Let them soak for about 15 minutes or until they’re soft.
3. Drain the noodles and rinse them with cold water. This stops them from cooking more and keeps them firm.
4. Let the noodles sit in cold water for a few minutes. This keeps them al dente.

The noodles should be perfect for your Mango and Chicken Noodle Salad. This way, they won’t overcook. Instead, they’ll have the perfect texture to go with the soft chicken and fresh mango.

Shredding and Prepping the Chicken

Shredding chicken well is key for a tasty chicken noodle salad. It’s important to know how to get your chicken ready. Doing so makes each bite delicious and soft. In this part, we’ll look into how to shred chicken and offer important advice for the best texture.

Options for Shredded Chicken

There are many ways to make *shredded chicken recipes*. You can choose from cooking fresh chicken breasts, using leftover roast, or grabbing a rotisserie chicken from the store:

• Freshly Cooked Chicken: Boil or bake chicken breasts until they’re 165°F inside. Then, use two forks to shred them.
• Leftover Roast Chicken: Use leftover chicken to save time. Just take off the skin and bones, and shred the meat.
• Store-Bought Rotisserie Chicken: For ease, buy a rotisserie chicken, remove the skin, and then shred the meat.

Tips for Best Texture

To get the perfect texture for your shredded chicken, follow these tips. They will make your salad even better.

1. Soak in Cold Water: Soak the cooked chicken in cold water for a bit. It makes shredding simpler and keeps the chicken moist.
2. Shred While Warm: Shred the chicken while it’s still a bit warm. That way, it remains juicy and tender.
3. Store Properly: If you’re not using the shredded chicken right away, keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. This helps it stay fresh.

Understanding how to shred chicken, and checking out various *shredded chicken recipes*, enhances your chicken noodle salad. Making sure you’re *preparing chicken for salad* right makes every bite enjoyable.

Below, find some detailed nutritional information for adding shredded chicken to your salad:

Using Fresh Mango in Your Salad

Mangoes make any dish bright and sweet, especially in salads. Knowing how to pick and prepare them can make your salad amazing. Let’s look at how to select and get these fruits ready.

Selecting and Preparing Mangoes

For the best salad, choose ripe mangoes that feel a bit soft. They’ll be juicy and sweet. After picking your mango, start its prep. Peel the mango or score it first. Then, slice it thinly for even pieces in your salad.

Alternate Mango Options

If fresh mangoes aren’t available, using canned mango is a good choice. It keeps most of the taste and texture. With canned mango, make sure to drain it well. This keeps your salad from being too wet. Frozen mango is another option. Just thaw it before adding to your salad.

Here’s how fresh, canned, and frozen mangoes compare in salads:

This info helps you keep your salad tasty, no matter the mango type you use.

Combining and Tossing the Salad

To make a great salad, use specific techniques. Start with your ingredients: cooked ramen noodles, shredded chicken, fresh mango slices, thin red onion slices, and others like cucumbers, carrots, and green onions.

Put everything in a large bowl. Drizzle with mango vinaigrette. To mix, gently fold the ingredients to evenly coat everything without damaging them. Here are some top tips for the perfect salad:

• Tip 1: Use pre-washed greens. They save time and let you add other flavors easily.
• Tip 2: Choose fresh or frozen mango. Fresh mango adds a great smell, and frozen is convenient and still tasty.
• Tip 3: Try Thai basil for an authentic flavor, or use sweet basil as an alternative.

After tossing, sprinkle roasted peanuts and give it a light mix. Knowing how to mix the salad well improves its texture and flavor.

Here’s a quick look at what you need and how to make this tasty mango and chicken noodle salad:

Using these salad-making tips makes your mango and chicken noodle salad tasty and appealing. It’s a perfect, colorful meal for hot summer days. Enjoy every flavorful bite!

Why This is the Perfect Summer Meal

Mango chicken salad is the ideal summer dish. It’s light, refreshing, and full of nutrition. It combines great taste with health benefits, perfect for a summer meal.

This salad is a nutritional powerhouse. It mixes chicken and mango for a great blend of protein and vitamins. You get about 344 kcal, 25g of protein, and lots of vitamins like A and C per serving.

The salad features fresh ingredients. Think diced mango, spring onion, and coriander, among others. These add flavor and a cool bite, perfect for hot days. Healthy oils like sesame and olive keep it light but satisfying.

It’s also flexible. You can adjust the chili to fit your taste. Or add avocado or toasted pine nuts for variety. It’s easy to make it your own.

Preparing this dish is quick and easy. Chicken cooks in about 6-8 minutes per side. Letting it chill for a bit before serving brings out the flavors. It’s great when you want a tasty meal without much work.

This dish can feed four people, making it great for families. Prep everything ahead, then mix before eating. Serve it on baby spinach or with other veggies. It’s a versatile dish for any summer table.

In short, mango chicken salad offers more than just good taste. It’s nutritious and easy to make. This makes it a top pick for light, enjoyable summer meals for families or friends.

Mango and Chicken Noodle Salad Summer Recipe

Summer is here, and it’s the perfect time for tropical salad recipes. This Mango and Chicken Noodle Salad is refreshing and easy to make. It’s great for quick meals or gatherings on sunny days.

Here’s what you need for this tasty recipe:

Making this salad is simple and fast, ideal for busy times or outdoor dining:

1. Grill the Chicken: Heat your grill to 375°F-400°F. Cook the chicken thighs for 20-25 minutes until they reach 170°F. Then, shred the chicken and set aside.
2. Cook the Noodles: Boil the rice noodles for 5-7 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. Add 1 tsp of mineral oil to keep them from sticking.
3. Prepare the Vinaigrette: In a bowl, mix 1/3 cup neutral oil, 2 TBSP lime juice, 1 1/2 TBSP honey, 1 TBSP minced cilantro, and 1 minced garlic clove together.
4. Combine the Salad: Toss the noodles, chicken, mangoes, cucumbers, bell pepper, carrots, and basil in a large bowl. Add vinaigrette and toss again.

This salad is not just one of the best tropical salads; it’s also nutritious. Each serving has 534.3 kcal, with 69.2g of carbs, 24g protein, and 21.5g fat. It’s full of vitamins and fiber, making it a perfect summer dish.

“This Mango and Chicken Noodle Salad is a harmony of flavors and textures that wins hearts every time.” – Food Enthusiast

Get into the summer spirit with this easy and delicious recipe. It’s sure to be a hit!

Conclusion

Exploring the Mango and Chicken Noodle Salad, we find a fresh and vibrant choice for summer. It’s a mix of sweet mango, savory chicken, and noodles. This combination is perfect for anyone looking for delicious, easy chicken dishes that are healthy too. The salad includes baby arugula, rotisserie chicken, mango cubes, blueberries, and pistachios. It’s a joy to make and eat.

The honey lime dressing brings it all together with its bright flavors. It’s made from olive oil, lime juice, honey, and ginger. Perfectly cooked noodles and carefully shredded chicken ensure each bite is flavorful and satisfying. Choosing and preparing fresh mango shows off the benefits of cooking with this fruit, offering a health-conscious option.

This salad is great for those wanting to eat healthier or enjoy a light summer meal. It’s easy to make and fits into tight schedules well. Being both tasty and healthy, it stands out among summer salads. It’s simple to prepare, delicious, and balanced. This Mango and Chicken Noodle Salad is a modern summer classic worth trying.