Gen X Ramen Noodle Chicken Salad: updated for for Gen Z
Who remembers this ramen noodle salad from when our kids were young? Same idea, but I’ve
updated for Gen Z- chopped dates, blood oranges and, of course, avocados.
I think there are a few recipes every young parent or homemaker remembers as the first thing he or she really mastered. For me – it was Ramen noodle turkey salad. This salad was featured in the cookbook of my children’s pre-school, The Weekday School, back in the nineties (dating myself for certain). It featured canned mandarian oranges, romaine lettuce, shredded turkey breasts, green onions, almonds and a packet of broken up ramen noodles. The dressing was loaded with calories- canola oil, seasoned rice vinegar, the seasoning pack from the noodles and TONS of sugar.
I think every town in American had a version of this salad- some toasted the noodles, some cooked them, some added cabbage, carrots- you name it.
I thought it would be fun to revisit this salad which I must have made dozens of times for pot lucks, girl’s night out, sick friends and familes with a new baby. If you were a friend of mine in the 90’s, at some point, I probably brought you this salad.
My new version still has the SO yummy ramen noodles, but I’ve added in sliced blood oranges, fresh avocado, slivered dates and a sprinkling of Everything but the Bagel Seasonings from Trader Joe’s.
If you do not have a Trader Joe’s in your area, you can purchase here.
I’ve lightened up the dressing with olive oil, agave, ginger, garlic salt, more Everything but the Bagel Seasonings and seasoned rice wine vinegar. I’ve kept the almonds, noodles and romaine. A rotisserie chicken will work perfectly if you do not have time to roast the chicken breasts.
This new version is oh so yummy and believe me, you’ll be taking it to friends if you can stand sharing it. I could eat the entire bowl myself.
Enjoy!
Print
ramen Noodle Chicken Salad- serves 4-6
3 heads, hearts of romaine, washed and chopped
2-3 chicken breasts, roasted and chopped
1 bunch green onions, white and light green parts, chopped
1 packet dried Ramen Noodles
3 dates, slivered
1 large avocado, sliced
2 blood oranges (any oranges will do if blood oranges are not available), peeled and sectioned
1 TBSP Trader Joe’s Everything but the Bagel Seasonings
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
- For the Dressing
1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/3 cup Seasoned Rice Wine Vinegar
2 TBSP Agave or honey (warmed in the microwave)
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp fresh minced ginger
1 tsp Trader Joe’s Everything but the Bagel Seasonings
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
Method- prep time- 30-45 minutes
- Combine all the salad ingredients, (except the avocado, Everything but the Bagel Seasonings and almonds) into a large serving bowl.
- In a separate bowl with a whisk (or using a blender) combine all the dressing ingredients except the olive oil. Once well mixed, slowly add in the oil to full emulsify.
- Toss the dressing gently with salad. Top with avocado, Everything but the Bagel seasonings and the almonds.
