BBQ Chicken Noodle Salad

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BBQ Chicken Noodle Salad

From 30-Dinners in 30-Days Ebook

This is easily my favourite ‘takeaway’ meal to pull out when the day has got away from me. I’m still amazed at how tasty the BBQ chickens are from my local supermarket. ‘Shelf fresh’ noodles are hokkien or other soft noodles that are stable at room temperature, you’ll find them in with the Asian produce. Or try the fresh noodles from the chiller section. If you’d prefer an even healthier option, skip the noodles in favour of one of the gluten free variations below.

Enough for 2
Takes 15 minutes
200g (7oz) ‘shelf fresh’ noodles
1 tablespoon sherry, rice or red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon wholegrain mustard
1/2 BBQ chicken
1 bag washed salad leaves

1. Place noodles in a heat proof bowl and cover with boiling water.

2. Whisk together vinegar, mustard and 3 tablespoons extra virgin
olive oil. Season.

3. Using your hands remove chicken meat from the bone and toss
in the dressing.

4. Drain the noodles well and add to the dressing.

5. Toss in the salad leaves and serve immediately.

Variations

asian dressing – replace the vinegar and mustard with 1 tablespoon each lime juice and fish sauce. A little chilli won’t go astray either.

gluten-free – replace noodles with a drained can of butter beans, cannellini beans, black beans, lentils or chickpeas.

noodle alternatives – if you can find soft hokkien or udon
noodles, dry rice noodles or mung bean noodles will work. Just prepare as per the packet instructions then drain and add to the salad.

vegetarian – replace the chicken with 3-4 hard boiled eggs.

vegan – replace the chicken with a mixture of grilled or marinated veg from the deli. Eggplant (aubergine), peppers (capsicum), artichokes and mushrooms are all favourites.

carb lovers / more substantial – add extra noodles.

paleo (grain, legume & dairy-free) – roast almonds instead of noodles or use spiralized carrot or zucchini.

Waste Avoidance Strategy

noodles, vinegar – keep in the pantry.

mustard – unopened will keep in the pantry for ages. Once opened will also keep in the fridge for a long time.

BBQ chicken – can be frozen if you can’t find another use for it.

salad leaves – best to find another use but can be frozen and then used as wilted greens once defrosted.