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Get ready to fall in love with this Chinese Chicken Salad! Packed with colorful veggies and tender chicken, it’s a vibrant, flavor-packed meal that comes together in just 20 minutes.
Easy Chinese Inspired Chicken Salad
Imagine biting into a bowl of my Chinese Chicken Salad, where every forkful is a perfect blend of crunchy, fresh veggies and tender, savory chicken. It’s my go-to when I need something quick yet undeniably delicious – a vibrant dish that comes together in just 20 minutes, ideal for busy days. Best part? The homemade dressing, zesty and slightly sweet, ties everything together beautifully, making each bite a delightful flavor adventure.
Pro Tip
If you’re planning to prep ahead, keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to serve, to keep everything crisp and fresh!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Cooked chicken: Rotisserie chicken is perfect for this. If you don’t have chicken, feel free to substitute with tofu for a vegetarian option.
- Mixed salad greens: Such as a mix of romaine, spinach, and iceberg for variety and texture. You can use any greens you prefer.
- Red cabbage: Adds a nice crunch and color. If you don’t have it, try shredded green cabbage or even kale for a different texture.
- Carrot: I love the sweetness and crunch it adds. Julienned or shredded works great.
- Bell pepper: Any color will do, adding sweetness and crunch. Feel free to skip if you’re not a fan.
- Mandarin oranges: They add a sweet, citrusy touch. You can also use fresh orange segments if canned aren’t available.
- Green onions and cilantro: These herbs add a fresh, aromatic touch.
- Toasted almonds or cashews: They bring in a lovely crunch and nutty flavor. Sunflower seeds or pepitas are great alternatives.
- Sesame seeds: These tiny seeds add a nice texture and a slight nutty flavor.
For The Dressing
- Soy sauce (low sodium): Tamari or coconut aminos are good substitutes.
- Sesame oil (preferably toasted): Adds a rich, nutty flavor. If you don’t have sesame oil, you can use olive oil, though the flavor will be different.
- Rice vinegar: It adds a tangy, slightly sweet flavor. White wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar can be used in a pinch.
- Honey: It balances the tang with sweetness. Maple syrup or agave nectar are good alternatives.
- Fresh ginger: Gives a nice zing. Ground ginger can be used, but the flavor won’t be as vibrant.
- Garlic: Adds a punch of flavor. Garlic powder can substitute if you don’t have any fresh.
- Sriracha or chili sauce: It’s optional but adds a lovely heat. You can adjust the amount to your liking or skip it for a milder taste.
Assemble The Salad
In a large bowl, toss together the mixed salad greens, your prepared cabbage, carrot, bell pepper, and the shredded chicken. Then, toss in the canned mandarin oranges.
Whisk The Dressing
Now, in a smaller bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, grated ginger, minced garlic, and a dash of sriracha (if you’re using it).
Bring It All Together
It’s time to dress that salad. Drizzle your homemade dressing over the salad and give it a nice toss, making sure every bit gets a coating of that flavorful dressing. Finally, sprinkle over the chopped green onions, cilantro, and your choice of toasted almonds or cashews. Finish it off with a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
How To Serve
This salad can be a complete meal on its own, but for something a bit heartier, you can serve it along some other great dishes. Here are some suggestions:
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the ingredients and store them separately in the fridge. Just assemble and add the dressing when you’re ready to serve. This helps keep everything fresh and crisp.
What can I use instead of chicken for a vegetarian option?
For a vegetarian version, try using tofu, tempeh, or even chickpeas as a protein substitute. They work great with the rest of the salad ingredients and dressing.
Can I add or substitute different vegetables?
Can I add or substitute different vegetables?
Definitely! This salad is versatile. Feel free to add in vegetables like avocado, cucumber, or snap peas. You can also substitute any veggies you don’t like with your favorites. The more colorful, the better!
Expert Tips
- Toast the Nuts: Lightly toasting the almonds or cashews enhances their flavor and adds an extra crunch to the salad.
- Balance the Dressing: Adjust the sweetness and tanginess of the dressing to your taste by tweaking the honey and vinegar ratios.
- Chill the Greens: Refrigerate the salad greens before assembling to ensure they are extra crisp.
- Serve Immediately After Dressing: To maintain the freshness and crunch of the salad, dress it right before serving.
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover chicken salad in an airtight container in the fridge. However, it’s best to store the dressing separately if you haven’t mixed it in, as the salad can get soggy. It should be good for a day or two.
More Salad Recipes
- Cobb Salad
- Apple Walnut Salad
- Asian Style Slaw
- Spring Pea Salad
- Chickpea Salad
- Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps
- Vietnamese Chicken Salad
Chinese Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken shredded
- 4 cups mixed salad greens like romain, spinach or iceberg
- 1 cup red cabbage shredded
- 1 medium carrot shredded or julienned
- 1 medium bell pepper thinly sliced, any color
- ½ cup canned mandarin oranges drained
- ¼ cup green onions chopped
- ¼ cup cilantro chopped
- ¼ cup toasted almonds or cashews
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
For The Dressing
- ¼ cup soy sauce low sodium
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil preferably toasted
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon sriracha sauce or chili sauce
Instructions
- In a large bowl, toss together the salad greens, red cabbage, carrot, bell pepper, mandarin oranges, and chicken.
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, grated ginger, minced garlic, and sriracha (if using). This dressing is the star of the show, giving the salad that authentic Chinese flavor.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss well to ensure everything is beautifully coated.
- Sprinkle the top with chopped green onions, cilantro, toasted almonds or cashews, and sesame seeds for that extra crunch and flavor.
- Serve this salad immediately, or keep it in the fridge for up to an hour before serving. It’s perfect as a standalone meal or as a side dish.
Tips & Notes:
- For the best flavor, use freshly cooked chicken, but leftovers or rotisserie chicken work great too.
- If you prefer a milder dressing, adjust the amount of sriracha sauce to suit your taste.
- Keep the salad greens and other veggies as dry as possible to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
- To save time, prep the veggies and chicken ahead, and just assemble when you’re ready to eat.
- Feel free to experiment with different nuts or seeds for varied textures and flavors.
