Asian-Inspired Mandarin Pasta Salad Recipe
If you’re looking for a pasta salad that everyone will love, look no further than this easy mandarin chicken pasta salad that’s easy, ready in 30 minutes, and makes enough to feed a crowd. There’s tender chicken that’s been cooked in sesame and olive oils, red bell peppers, carrots, cucumbers, fresh spinach, and of course mandarin oranges and al dente bowtie pasta. There’s an easy, whisk-together vinaigrette comprised of dry onion soup mix, rice vinegar, sesame and olive oils, ginger, mandarin orange juice, and ginger. The vinaigrette is packed with Asian-inspired flavor from the sesame, ginger, and mandarin orange juice. You need something with plenty of flavor to ensure that a pound of pasta, a pound of chicken, and so many vegetables are flavorful and satisfying and this vinaigrette delivers. Every bite is a mix of flavors and textures including crunchy, juicy, tender, fresh, and cooked. My favorite kind of food — a little bit of everything in every bite!
Mandarin Chicken Pasta Salad Ingredients
To make the pasta salad vinaigrette, you’ll need:
Dry onion soup mix packet Rice vinegar Sesame oil Olive oil Mandarin orange juice (from a can of oranges) Granulated sugar Ground ginger Salt and pepper
And for the actual Asian chicken pasta salad, you’ll need:
Bowtie pasta Chicken breasts Sesame oil Olive oil Red bell pepper Shredded carrots Cucumber Canned mandarin oranges Fresh spinach
How to Make Mandarin Chicken Pasta Salad
This mandarin pasta salad takes just 30 minutes to prepare and can be enjoyed now or later! Here’s how the pasta salad recipe is made:
Can This Pasta Salad Be Made in Advance?
Absolutely! This salad makes a ton and can feed a crowd. I like to think of the four P’s: potlucks, picnics, parties, and planned leftovers. Since there’s no mayo, it’s great for potlucks, picnics, and parties. The leftovers keep really well and if you’re looking for easy lunches or no-brainer dinners for the week, this is perfect.
Can the Recipe Be Halved?
Of course! If you don’t need as much, you can always halve the recipe.
Tips for the Best Asian Chicken Pasta Salad
Feel free to mix-and-match with the vegetables you incorporate since this is a very easily adaptable pasta salad. Try red or green onions, broccoli, cauliflower, other colors of bell peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, shelled edamame, peas, sugar snap peas, or whatever you have on hand and enjoy. I used bowtie pasta but rotini, ziti, or your favorite small pasta shapes may be substituted. You can serve the mandarin spinach pasta salad warm and fresh right away, or chill it and serve it later.
More Easy Pasta Salad Recipes:
Chinese Chicken Pasta Salad – Big juicy chicken chunks and texture galore from the rainbow of crispy veggies! Fast, easy, fresh and healthy! Great for picnics, potlucks, and easy dinners! Tried this recipe? Leave a review! Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you’ve made and loved one of my recipes!
Skinny Italian Chicken Pasta Salad – EASY, ready in 30 minutes, feeds a crowd, and is on the SKINNY side!! Juicy chicken, fresh veggies, and the pasta are tossed in a light and tangy homemade Italian lemon vinaigrette!!
Italian Chicken Pasta Salad – Easy, ready in 20 minutes, and healthy! Bursting with fresh flavors from juicy tomatoes, cucumber, basil, parmesan, and tender chicken tossed in a tangy lemon vinaigrette!
Club Sandwich Pasta Salad – All your favorite club sandwich ingredients in an easy pasta salad! Turkey, bacon, tomatoes, lettuce, and cheese with ranch! Ready in 15 minutes and perfect for potlucks, picnics, and parties!
Garden Fresh Tortellini Pasta Salad – Juicy tomatoes, cucumbers and corn with creamy avocado, basil and parmesan tossed in lemon vinaigrette with cheese tortellini! Healthy, easy, ready in 15 minutes!
Taco Pasta Salad – Easy, ready in 20 minutes, and loaded with great Mexican-inspired ingredients including corn, black beans, tomatoes, cilantro, avocado, and more! Perfect for picnics, parties, and potlucks!
BLT Pasta Salad – Easy, ready in 15 minutes, feeds a crowd, and perfect for potlucks and parties! Creamy ranch dressing perfectly coats the pasta and bacon! Guaranteed family favorite!
