Oh, how I love a good salad that feels like a full meal—fresh, crunchy, and packed with flavors! The Chinese Chicken Salad is everything you want in a dish: it’s vibrant, hearty, and has just the right balance of sweet, tangy, and savory. Trust me, this one’s a crowd-pleaser, and it’s the perfect dish when you want something light yet satisfying. You’ll get crispy veggies, juicy chicken, and a dressing that’s basically liquid gold. Ready for a flavor-packed journey? Let’s dive in!
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Why You’ll Love Chinese Chicken Salad
This recipe isn’t just about the ingredients—it’s about creating moments. Whether you’re making a quick lunch, prepping for a potluck, or looking to treat yourself to something delicious, this dish is super versatile. Here’s why it’s always a hit:
Versatile: Perfect for busy weeknights or as a vibrant addition to a brunch spread. It’s easy enough for a weeknight but special enough to impress guests.
Budget-Friendly: Uses simple, affordable ingredients like chicken, cabbage, and carrots, but the dressing takes everything to the next level. You’ll be surprised by how much flavor you can pack into one bowl!
Quick and Easy: A few quick steps and you’re done! No need to spend hours in the kitchen. This recipe is straightforward and fast.
Customizable: You can tweak this to suit your tastes. Add extra spice with some chili flakes, or toss in some crunchy chow mein noodles for a fun twist.
Crowd-Pleasing: Whether it’s a family dinner or a get-together with friends, this salad will make you the star of the show. Fresh, colorful, and totally irresistible.
Ingredients in Chinese Chicken Salad
Let’s break down the ingredients that make this salad not just tasty, but a true flavor bomb:
Cooked Chicken: This is the protein-packed star of the show. Grilled or rotisserie chicken works best for maximum flavor. Shred it up to mix perfectly with all those crunchy veggies.
Shredded Cabbage: The base of this salad, adding a lovely crunch and subtle sweetness. You can use a mix of green and purple cabbage for color and texture.
Carrots: For that bright, sweet crunch. Julienne or shred them to add freshness and color.
Green Onions: Sliced thin for that mild onion flavor, they add a lovely bite without overpowering the other ingredients.
Mandarin Oranges: Sweet and juicy, these add the perfect burst of citrus to balance out the savory flavors.
Almonds: Sliced or slivered almonds bring a nutty crunch that really completes the texture of the salad.
Sesame Seeds: A little sprinkle of sesame seeds adds a beautiful toasty flavor that takes the salad to the next level.
Crispy Noodles (Optional): For that extra crunch and fun texture! Totally optional, but I highly recommend it if you’re looking to add a bit of extra crunch.
For the Dressing:
- Soy Sauce: The salty base of the dressing.
- Rice Vinegar: Adds that perfect tangy kick.
- Honey or Sugar: A bit of sweetness to balance the tang and saltiness.
- Sesame Oil: The secret ingredient! Its rich, nutty flavor is what makes this dressing so irresistible.
- Ginger and Garlic: Fresh, fragrant, and full of punch—these elevate the dressing to a whole new level.
- Olive Oil: For a smooth texture.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Instructions
Let’s get cooking! Follow these simple steps to bring this salad to life:
Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, and olive oil. Taste and adjust for sweetness or tang—get it just right!
Prepare the Salad Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, carrots, green onions, and mandarin oranges. Toss it all together gently.
Add the Chicken and Nuts: Add your shredded chicken and sliced almonds to the salad. Toss again to mix everything well.
Toss with Dressing: Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss everything until it’s evenly coated. You want every bite to have that delicious dressing on it!
Top with Sesame Seeds and Noodles: Sprinkle sesame seeds over the top, and if you’re using crispy noodles, add them now for a little extra crunch.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve immediately, and get ready for a big flavor explosion with every bite!
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Calories per serving: [Calorie count per serving]
Preparation Time
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
How to Serve Chinese Chicken Salad
This salad is the perfect stand-alone meal, but here are a few serving suggestions to elevate your experience:
Add a Side of Rice: Serve over some fluffy steamed rice for an even heartier meal.
Pair with Soup: This salad is perfect with a side of miso soup or egg drop soup for a complete Asian-inspired meal.
Extra Veggies: Add in some cucumber slices, bell peppers, or even snap peas to boost the veggie intake and add extra crunch.
Serve with Spring Rolls: Add some crispy spring rolls on the side to complement the fresh and crunchy flavors of the salad.
Additional Tips
Prep Ahead: You can prepare the salad ingredients ahead of time and keep them in separate containers. Dress just before serving to keep everything fresh and crisp.
Spice It Up: If you like a little heat, add chili flakes or a dash of sriracha to the dressing.
Dietary Adjustments: This salad is easily adaptable—swap honey for maple syrup for a vegan version, or use tamari for a gluten-free option.
Storage Tips: Store leftover salad (without the dressing) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Dress before serving.
Double the Batch: This salad is great for meal prepping! Make a big batch, and enjoy it throughout the week.
FAQ Section
Q1: Can I use other fruits instead of mandarin oranges?
A1: Yes! You could use fresh pineapple, apple slices, or even pomegranate seeds for a sweet burst of flavor.
Q2: Can I make the salad in advance?
A2: You can prep the ingredients ahead of time, but I recommend adding the dressing and crispy noodles just before serving to keep everything fresh.
Q3: How do I store leftovers?
A3: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. If you’ve added the crispy noodles, they’ll lose their crunch, so it’s best to add them fresh.
Q4: Can I use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken?
A4: Yes, rotisserie chicken works perfectly in this recipe. Just shred it and toss it in!
Q5: Can I freeze this salad?
A5: Unfortunately, this salad isn’t suitable for freezing as the veggies and dressing won’t maintain their texture.
Q6: Can I skip the sesame oil?
A6: The sesame oil really adds a lot of flavor, but if you need a substitute, you can use a bit more olive oil and a splash of toasted sesame seeds for that nutty flavor.
Q7: What’s the best way to slice the cabbage?
A7: Thinly shred the cabbage so it mixes well with the other ingredients. The thinner, the better for that crispy crunch!
Q8: Can I use other nuts instead of almonds?
A8: Yes! Cashews or sunflower seeds would also work great here for a different crunch.
Q9: Can I add more vegetables to the salad?
A9: Absolutely! Shredded bell peppers, snap peas, or even edamame could be excellent additions.
Q10: How can I make the dressing a little creamier?
A10: You can mix in a bit of tahini or Greek yogurt to make the dressing creamier without losing its flavor.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a salad that’s not only packed with flavor but also feels like a full meal, this Chinese Chicken Salad is your answer. Fresh, crunchy, savory, and just the right amount of sweetness—this salad is bound to become a favorite in your kitchen. Ready to dig in? Let’s make this salad a go-to for any occasion—you’re going to love it!
Print
Chinese Chicken Salad
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 5 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
This Chinese Chicken Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish with crispy cabbage, tender rotisserie chicken, sweet bell peppers, and a sweet and tangy peanut-sesame dressing. Perfect for a light yet satisfying meal!
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup light olive oil or vegetable oil
- 3 Tbsp creamy peanut butter
- 2 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 1 Tbsp peeled and minced ginger
- 1 1/2 tsp minced garlic (1 large clove)
- 1/2 tsp Chinese five spice (optional)
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional), or more to taste
- 1/2 large head romaine lettuce, shredded
- 1/2 medium head Napa cabbage, cored and shredded
- 3 cups cooked shredded rotisserie chicken breast
- 1 large red bell pepper, cored, seeded and sliced
- 1 large carrot, juliened
- 4 green onions, sliced
- 1/2 cup rough chopped cilantro
- 1/2 cup rough chopped peanuts or cashews
- 2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds (optional)
- Fried wonton strips, homemade or store-bought (optional)
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together oil, peanut butter, sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, honey, ginger, garlic, Chinese five spice, and red pepper flakes.
- Transfer dressing to the fridge and chill for at least 30 minutes (or freeze for 15 minutes).
- For the salad: In a large serving bowl, toss together lettuce, cabbage, chicken, bell pepper, carrot, green onions, and cilantro. Top with peanuts and sesame seeds.
- When ready to serve, add dressing to the salad and toss to coat, or add dressing to individual servings.
Notes
- Chill the dressing for enhanced flavor.
- Top with fried wonton strips for added crunch (optional).
- Use peanuts or cashews depending on preference.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 11g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 30mg