Refreshing Lemon Chicken Shredded Noodle Salad

A perfect summer meal featuring cold buckwheat noodles topped with tender shredded chicken, crisp vegetables, and a bright, zesty sesame-lemon dressing.

Ingredients

• 1 chicken leg
• 100 g buckwheat noodles
• 1/2 cucumber
• 1/2 yellow bell pepper
• 1 lemon
• 1 stalk scallion
• 2 slices ginger
• 1 star anise
• 1 tbsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp sesame seeds
• 2 tbsp light soy sauce
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp sparkling water
• to taste fresh coriander

Instructions

1. 1Cook the chicken

   

   Place the chicken leg into a pot of boiling water along with scallions, ginger, and star anise. Simmer until the chicken is fully cooked through.

   Tip: Adding aromatics like scallions, ginger, and star anise to the water infuses the chicken with flavor during the cooking process.
2. 2Shred the chicken

   

   After cooling the cooked chicken leg in ice water, remove the skin and shred the meat into small, bite-sized pieces on a plate.

   Tip: Using ice water to cool the chicken stops the cooking process and makes the meat easier to handle and shred.
3. 3Prepare the cucumber

   

   Slice the fresh cucumber into thin, uniform strips on a cutting board to prepare for the salad assembly.

   Tip: Cutting the cucumber into consistent strips helps maintain a good texture balance in the salad.
4. 4Prepare the bell pepper

   

   Carefully slice the yellow bell pepper into thin strips on a cutting board, ensuring they match the size of the cucumber strips.

   Tip: Uniformly cut vegetables make the salad not only look more appealing but also easier to mix and eat.
5. 5Slice the lemon

   

   Slice half of the lemon into thin, even rounds on a cutting board, saving the other half for the sauce.

   Tip: Thin lemon slices act as both a beautiful garnish and a way to add fresh citrus flavor to individual bites.
6. 6Mix the sauce

   

   In a glass pitcher, combine minced garlic, sesame seeds, light soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, fresh lemon juice, and sparkling water. Stir until all ingredients are well incorporated.

   Tip: Using sparkling water in the sauce adds a light, refreshing effervescence that elevates the dressings texture.
7. 7Boil the buckwheat noodles

   

   Place the buckwheat noodles into a pot of boiling water and cook until tender. Keep an eye on them to ensure they reach the perfect texture without becoming mushy.

   Tip: Check the noodle package instructions for the recommended cooking time, as buckwheat noodles can cook quickly.
8. 8Rinse the noodles

   

   Once the buckwheat noodles are cooked, drain them and immediately rinse thoroughly under cold water. This stops the cooking process and removes excess starch to prevent sticking.

   Tip: Using cold water helps to maintain the firm, chewy texture characteristic of buckwheat noodles.

Storage & Serving

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions