Soba Noodle Salad Recipe that’s loaded with tender chicken, crunchy veggies, and a creamy sweet chili dressing that’s seriously hard to stop eating.

Soba Noodle Salad Recipe in a bowl tossed together and topped with extra peanuts.
chelsea

Author’s Notes

AKA Bang Bang Chicken Salad!

Out of all the chicken recipes I shared last year, Bang Bang Chicken was the standout for me. I loved it so much that I turned it into Bang Bang Chicken Skewers, and those blew up on social and were another recipe on repeat at my house.

So, of course, I had to take those same flavors and turn them into this soba noodle salad recipe. And honestly…it might be my new favorite. If this is in my fridge, I’m sneaking a few bites every time I walk by. It’s that good!

The dressing is perfect, the veggies add the best crunch, and the noodles soak everything up just right. This one’s a must try, and I can’t wait to hear what you think!

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All the ingredients in this recipe prepped out for easy assembly including the dressing, peanuts, cabbage, fried onions, carrots, noodles, chicken, pepper, and cilantro.

Ingredients In Soba Noodle Salad Recipe

Ingredient GroupHelpful Tip
ChickenUse cooked, shredded chicken. Rotisserie or shredded chicken works great!
Soba noodlesRinse well under cold water after cooking to stop the cooking and keep them from sticking.
Crunchy veggiesSlice everything thin so it mixes evenly and stays easy to eat in every bite.
Fresh herbsCilantro or basil both work. Add more to taste right before serving for the best flavor.
Creamy sweet chili dressingWhisk until smooth and taste before adding to the salad so you can adjust heat or sweetness.
All the dressing ingredients for this soba noodle salad recipe prepped out for easy assembly including the sriracha, mayo, honey, sweet chili, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, and lime.

How To Make My Soba Noodle Salad Recipe

  1. Make the dressing: Whisk until smooth and set aside.
  2. Prep the chicken: Shred and set aside.
  3. Prep the veggies: Slice into thin, even pieces.
  4. Cook the noodles: Boil until tender, then drain and rinse under cold water.
  5. Assemble: Toss everything with dressing until coated, add toppings, and serve cold or at room temp.
The simple dressing ingredients whisked together in a bowl.

What To Use Instead Of Soba Noodles

If you don’t have soba noodles on hand, thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta is the best swap for this recipe.

Other workable options:

  • Rice noodles: Light and neutral. Use thin or medium-width.
  • Ramen noodles: Skip the seasoning packets.
  • Whole wheat spaghetti: Sturdy and holds the dressing well.

Quick Tip

Rinse any noodles under cold water after cooking so they stay cool and don’t clump.

The soba noodle salad recipe all added into a bowl and dressed with the delicious dressing.

Storage

This soba noodle salad recipe is best enjoyed the same day but will keep for 1 to 3 days. For longer storage, keep the salad and dressing separate in airtight containers in the fridge and toss together just before serving.

More Easy Chicken Recipes:

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Cold Soba Noodle Salad Recipe

Soba Noodle Salad Recipe that’s light but satisfying, with crunchy toppings and a saucy dressing that ties it all together. Shop the recipe here.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Video

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2-1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken
  • 1-1/2 cups thinly sliced carrots julienned, ~3 carrots
  • 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
  • 3 cups thinly sliced red cabbage
  • 9 ounces soba noodles or thin spaghetti; see note 1
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1/2 cup crushed peanuts for topping
  • crispy fried onions optional, for topping
Dressing
  • 1 cup mayo (Best Foods or Hellmann’s)
  • 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce (Mae Ploy)
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey see note 2
  • 1-3 teaspoons Sriracha
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated garlic (on a microplane)

Instructions 

  • Dressing:
In a bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients until smooth. Set aside.
  • Cook soba noodles according to package directions. Once cooked, drain and rinse under cold water for 30 seconds. Shake off excess water and set aside.
  • Toss chicken, vegetables, and noodles with enough dressing to coat everything to your preference. ((You may have extra dressing. Add more as the noodles absorb it). Serve cold (chill in fridge for 15-20 minutes and toss again) or at room temperature. Top with crushed peanuts and crispy fried onions if desired.
Final step! Please let us know how it was by leaving a review.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: The best substitute for soba noodles is thin spaghetti or angel hair pasta. Use 9 ounces, not a full one pound package. The dressing is already fairly salty, so I skip salting the pasta water, but you can season the finished salad to taste if needed.
Note 2: Sweeten to taste based on how much Sriracha you use. Less Sriracha usually means less honey is needed.
Storage: This salad is best the same day but keeps for 1 to 3 days. For longer storage, keep the salad, dressing, and toppings separate and toss just before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 520kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 650mg | Potassium: 500mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1300IU | Vitamin C: 45mg | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Meet Chelsea


Hello, and welcome to Chelsea’s Messy Apron! I’m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. I’m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping by—I hope you find something delicious to make!

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