Teriyaki Spinach Pasta Salad | The Recipe Critic

Teriyaki spinach pasta salad combines juicy mandarin oranges, savory teriyaki chicken, and crunchy cashews for a flavor explosion in every bite! The best Asian-inspired pasta salad to serve alongside your favorite meals.

If you love this teriyaki spinach pasta salad another great Asian-inspired dish to try is this soba noodle salad! Both are super easy to whip up, take on the go, and packed with incredible flavor.

Teriyaki Chicken Pasta Salad

We love teriyaki chicken at my house. (Don’t we all?) It’s a dinner staple! But for those times when I’m craving something a little more wholesome, pasta salad is my go-to. This teriyaki spinach pasta salad is the best of both worlds. Here’s why:

The pasta keeps things nice and hearty but I LOVE the added leafy greens. Then you’ve got those tender pieces of chicken and crunchy cashew bits all smothered in a homemade teriyaki dressing. The perfect pasta salad for this spring, summer, and beyond.

Ingredients You’ll Need

All the ingredients to create a pasta salad that checks all of the boxes: bright and fresh but hearty and satisfying! (Exact measurements are in the recipe card below!)

For the Pasta Salad:

• Bowtie Pasta: Grabs onto the yummy teriyaki dressing for flavor in each bite.
• Baby Spinach Leaves: For flavor and texture. You can also use kale instead if you prefer.
• Boneless Chicken: I used cooked, chopped chicken but shredded chicken will also work. Whatever you prefer!
• Craisins: So your teriyaki pasta salad has a sweet and tart contrast to the savory flavors.
• Honey Roasted Cashews: For the perfect crunch and nutty flavor. You could also use peanuts interchangeably.
• Mandarin Oranges: You can’t go wrong with a little pop of citrus-y flavor!
• Garnishes: Chopped cilantro for some herby, peppery flavor, green onions for more savory flavor, and sesame seeds for that perfect texture!

For the Teriyaki Dressing:

• Vegetable Oil: The base of the teriyaki dressing.
• Teriyaki Sauce: Use your favorite brand! Yoshida’s is my personal favorite.
• Rice Vinegar: So the dressing is sweet and tangy.
• Granulated Sugar: Balances out all the savory flavors.
• Garlic (Minced): For savory, delicious flavor.
• Salt and Black Pepper: Basic seasonings to bring out all the flavors in the dressing.

Teriyaki Chicken and Spinach Pasta Salad Recipe

Not only does this teriyaki spinach pasta salad look and taste good, but it’s super easy to mix up. Perfect for making last minute before any potluck or get-together.

Make the Dressing

1. Combine Ingredients: To a medium bowl, add the oil, teriyaki sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, garlic, salt and pepper.
2. Whisk Together: Whisk to combine and then set aside.

Pasta Salad

1. Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta to al dente according to package instructions. Drain the pasta in a strainer then run it under cold water to cool the pasta.
2. Combine Salad Ingredients: Then to a large bowl, add the pasta, spinach, chicken, craisins, cashews, mandarin oranges, cilantro, green onion, and sesame seeds.
3. Add Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and then toss to coat evenly.
4. Serve: Serve right away or refrigerate the salad for up to 2 hours before serving.