Fresh Teriyaki Chicken Pasta Salad

Name: Fresh Teriyaki Chicken Pasta Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked rotini or penne pasta; 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed; 4 cups fresh baby spinach; 1 cup mandarin orange segments, drained; 1 small can sliced water chestnuts, drained; 1/2 cup sweet onion, thinly sliced; 1/2 cup chopped nuts like almonds or cashews; 1/2 cup bottled teriyaki sauce; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

This bright and crunchy salad is a family favorite that brings sweet and savory flavors together in one big bowl.

By Recipes By Nani· 🌍 American· July 20, 2026

recipesbynani.com

Prep

15 minutes

Cook

10 minutes

Total

25 minutes

Serves

There is something so special about a salad that feels like a full meal. This dish is packed with fresh spinach, juicy oranges, and crunchy water chestnuts, which makes every bite really interesting. The simple dressing pulls all the different textures together perfectly.

My biggest tip is to toss the pasta and dressing together while the noodles are still just a little bit warm. This helps the flavors soak right into the pasta before you add the fresh spinach and chicken.

🧺 Ingredients

2 cups cooked rotini or penne pasta
2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed
4 cups fresh baby spinach
1 cup mandarin orange segments, drained
1 small can sliced water chestnuts, drained
1/2 cup sweet onion, thinly sliced
1/2 cup chopped nuts like almonds or cashews
1/2 cup bottled teriyaki sauce
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon rice vinegar

👩‍🍳Instructions

1
Whisk the teriyaki sauce, vegetable oil, and rice vinegar in a small bowl until well combined to make your dressing.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, shredded chicken, sliced water chestnuts, and sweet onion.
3
Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta mixture and stir gently to coat everything evenly.
4
Add the fresh baby spinach and mandarin oranges to the bowl just before you are ready to serve.
5
Sprinkle the chopped nuts over the top for a final crunch and serve immediately.

💡 Tips

Store the dressing separately from the salad if you plan on having leftovers to keep the spinach from wilting. This salad keeps well in the fridge for up to two days, but I suggest adding the nuts right before eating to keep them crisp.

#easy lunch #chicken salad #pasta salad #healthy #quick meal

Made this recipe? Let us know how it went.