Noodle Salad with Chicken, Edamame, and Roasted Bell Pepper
There’s nothing quite like a chilled soba noodle salad on a warm summer day. The combination of flavors, textures, and vibrant colors makes it an irresistible and refreshing dish. In this blog post, we’ll explore a mouthwatering recipe for a cold soba noodle salad featuring tender chicken, protein-packed edamame, and smoky roasted bell peppers.
This delightful dish is not only visually appealing but also bursting with flavors that will leave your taste buds craving more. So, let’s dive in and discover the steps to create this sensational salad that will become your go-to recipe for picnics, barbecues, or a light summer lunch.
Cold noodle salad
I had not tried to make a noodle salad before, so I was quite surprised how delicious it turned out. And making the soba noodle salad is super easy too. The perfect summertime meal.
What you need:
- soba noodles
- chicken breast or chicken thigh
- edamame beans
- roasted bell peppers
- sesame seeds
- fresh cilantro
For the dressing you will need:
- sesame oil
- miso paste
- lime juice
- honey
- and some water
Now to make the noodle salad you start by putting a large pot of water on the stove and heat it on medium-high heat. Once boiling add the noodles and cook according to package directions. While the noodles are boiling prepare the chicken until cooked and golden brown. Set aside. Cook the edamame beans and remove them from their pods if you’re using whole ones. I used frozen edamame that were already shelled so that saves a lot of time.
As soon as the noodles are cooked take a large bowl and fill this with cold water. Rinse the noodles and put them into the bowl with cold water until you’re ready to use them.
The sauce
Part of the hero of this dish is definitely the sauce. It’s super easy to make and so delicious. You need a small saucepan and you add the ingredients to the sauce pan. Miso can be a bit stiff so it helps to warm it up a little. There is no need to cook it, a bit of warmth is enough, so placing it on medium heat is fine.
Alternatively you can add all the ingredients into a maison jar and shake until it is well combined. That should work too. If you want you could add a bit of peanut butter to. I love the flavor of the miso and you should be able to get a few kinds of miso in the asian markets. I used red miso here.
Serving
Now when you’re ready for dinner (or lunch) take out two individual bowls and start by adding the noodles, then the edamame, roasted bell peppers and the chicken. Mix it together with some of the sauce and finish by sprinkling with sesame seeds and fresh cilantro.
You can find the full recipe in the recipe card.
Fun facts about soba noodles
- Soba noodles are a traditional Japanese type of noodle made from buckwheat flour. The word “soba” actually means buckwheat in Japanese.
- While buckwheat is the primary ingredient, some variations of soba noodles also contain wheat flour, which gives them a slightly different texture and flavor.
- Soba noodles have been a staple in Japanese cuisine for centuries. They are often enjoyed both hot and cold and are commonly used in soups, salads, and stir-fried dishes.
- Soba noodles are known for their health benefits. Buckwheat is gluten-free and rich in nutrients like dietary fiber, manganese, and magnesium. It also contains antioxidants that promote heart health and help lower cholesterol levels.
- In Japan, soba noodles hold a special significance. They are often consumed on New Year’s Eve as a symbol of longevity and good fortune. This tradition is known as “toshikoshi soba,” which translates to “year-crossing noodles.”
- Soba noodles have a distinct nutty flavor and a firm, chewy texture. When cooked, they should be slightly al dente, kind of like you would cook a good pasta.
- Soba noodles are commonly served with a dipping sauce called “tsuyu.” The tsuyu is made from a combination of soy sauce, mirin (sweet rice wine), and dashi (a Japanese broth made from fish and seaweed).
- Soba noodles are often eaten with various toppings and accompaniments such as green onions, nori (seaweed), tempura, grated daikon radish, or wasabi, allowing for a customizable and versatile dining experience.
- In Japan, there are dedicated soba noodle shops called “sobaya” that specialize in serving various soba dishes. These establishments take great pride in their craftsmanship and often make their soba noodles from scratch.
- Soba noodles gained popularity outside of Japan as well, thanks to their unique flavor and health benefits. They are now readily available in many Asian grocery stores and are enjoyed by people worldwide.
Good to know how the soba noodles have such an interesting history!
Noodle salad with chicken and edamame
Ingredients
- 150 gr soba noodles
- 100 gr edamame beans
- 250 gr chicken cubes
- 2 smoked bell peppers in thin strips
- oil for frying
- 1 tbsp roasted sesame seeds
- fresh coriander to serve
DRESSING
- 2,5 tbsp red miso paste
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp honey
- 50 ml water
- Put on a large pan of water and bring to a boil. Cook the soba noodles according to package directions (4 minutes), drain and rinse with cold water.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper and fry in a frying pan until tender and golden brown.
- Cut the smoked paprika into thin strips.
- Take a small saucepan to make the dressing. Put into it the miso, sesame oil, lime juice, honey and a splash of water. Don’t put all the water in at once. See how much is needed for the right thickness.
- Turn the heat low under the pan and stir with a whisk until the miso is smooth and the sauce comes together. Taste briefly and add additional lime or honey if needed.
- Now build your noodle salad by mixing the noodles with the edamame, smoked paprika and chicken.
- Transfer to two bowls and sprinkle with sesame seeds and cilantro and pour the dressing over the noodles.
Nutrition Information per portion
Disclaimer
The nutritional values above are calculated per portion. The details are based on standard nutritional tables and do not constitute a professional nutritional advice.
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This was delicious! Loved it and will definitely make again.