Description
This Asian Pasta Salad in a Jar is a fresh, flavorful meal prep dish featuring shoyu chicken, mandarin oranges, crunchy veggies, and a sesame-ginger dressing.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Shoyu Chicken:
- 2 chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Sesame-Ginger Dressing:
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1/2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp tahini
- 1 tsp grated ginger
Salad Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange), thinly sliced
- 3/4 cup edamame, shelled
- 1/2 cup mandarin orange segments
- 3 cups pasta, cooked (any pasta that holds its shape well and allows the dressing to cling to it, e.g., rotini, penne, elbow macaroni)
- 1 1/2 cups chopped romaine lettuce (substitute for cabbage)
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
Instructions
- In a pan over high heat, cook the chicken thighs until slightly charred on both sides.
- Turn the heat down to medium and top the chicken with soy sauce and black pepper until fully cooked (about 4–5 minutes per side).
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing into bite-sized pieces. Place it into a bowl and cover, refrigerating for at least 15 minutes to allow it to cool down.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients (soy sauce, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, olive oil, honey, tahini, and grated ginger) until smooth. Divide evenly among three mason jars, pouring the dressing into the bottom of each.
- Layer the ingredients in each jar above the dressing in the following order to keep all the ingredients fresh: Sliced bell peppers, shelled edamame, mandarin oranges, cooked pasta, shoyu chicken, chopped lettuce, sliced almonds.
- Seal the jars and refrigerate for up to 3 – 5 days. When ready to eat, shake the jar to mix the dressing, or pour everything into a bowl and toss before enjoying!
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3