If there’s a salad that captures the spirit of fresh, flavorful eating with a delightful crunch in every bite, it’s Chinese Chicken Salad. This colorful classic, loaded with crisp veggies, tender chicken, and a sweet-savory dressing, is the ultimate crowd-pleaser – perfect for weekday dinners, potlucks, or anytime you crave something vibrant and satisfying. The best part? You can whip it up in just twenty minutes, and every ingredient adds its own magic to the finished dish. Get ready to fall in love with your new favorite salad!
Ingredients You’ll Need
All it takes is a handful of kitchen staples and fresh produce to create a Chinese Chicken Salad that looks as stunning as it tastes. Each ingredient plays a key role – from providing hearty protein to delivering a rainbow of texture and crunch.
- Cooked and shredded chicken breast (3 cups): The juicy, lean protein that makes this salad filling and satisfying; rotisserie chicken works brilliantly for a shortcut.
- Shredded napa cabbage (4 cups): Napa’s delicate crunch forms the base of the salad, soaking up the zesty dressing without wilting.
- Shredded red cabbage (1 cup): Adds a burst of color and earthy sweetness, along with extra crunch.
- Shredded carrots (1 cup): These add natural sweetness and a satisfying, snappy texture.
- Red bell pepper, thinly sliced (1): A pop of red, plus subtle sweetness and crispness in every bite.
- Chopped green onions (1/2 cup): For a mild, fresh onion flavor that compliments every other ingredient.
- Toasted sliced almonds (1/2 cup): Bring irresistible nuttiness and bold, toasty crunch.
- Crispy wonton strips (1/2 cup): The ultimate finishing touch for salty, flaky crispiness.
- Chopped fresh cilantro (1/4 cup): Elevates the whole salad with fresh, herby aromatics.
- Sesame seeds (2 tablespoons): Tiny but mighty, these add a gentle nutty flavor and visual appeal.
- Rice vinegar (1/4 cup): Provides the bright, tangy backbone to the dressing.
- Soy sauce (2 tablespoons): Lends an umami-rich depth that ties all the flavors together.
- Sesame oil (1 tablespoon): Just a splash adds toasty, fragrant flavor – don’t skip it!
- Honey (1 tablespoon): A touch of natural sweetness to balance the acidity and salt.
- Fresh ginger, grated (1 teaspoon): A bit of zip that wakes up the whole salad.
- Garlic, minced (1 clove): Essential for a subtle savory punch in the dressing.
- Vegetable oil (1/4 cup): Smooths out the dressing, helping all the flavors meld together.
- Salt and pepper, to taste: Finish off with just enough seasoning to make all the flavors sing.
How to Make Chinese Chicken Salad
Step 1: Prep the Salad Ingredients
Start by getting all your veggies and chicken ready. Shred the napa and red cabbages to bite-sized pieces, julienne your carrots, thinly slice the red bell pepper, and chop up the green onions and cilantro. If you have leftover rotisserie chicken or cooked chicken breast, use clean hands or a fork to shred it into juicy strips. You want everything to be roughly the same size for the perfect bite in every forkful!
Step 2: Toss the Salad Base
In a large mixing bowl, add the shredded chicken, both cabbages, carrots, bell pepper, green onions, cilantro, toasted almonds, and sesame seeds. Gently toss everything together, distributing all those beautiful crunchy and colorful ingredients evenly. This is where the salad starts to come alive!
Step 3: Make the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, grated ginger, minced garlic, and vegetable oil. Give it a good whirl until everything is well emulsified and flavorful. Taste and adjust the balance if you’d like it a little sweeter or more tangy – this dressing is flexible and easy to customize to your liking.
Step 4: Dress and Toss
Pour the dressing over the salad mixture in the large bowl. With serving spoons (or clean hands!), gently toss everything to evenly coat all the ingredients with that irresistible dressing. The cabbages and chicken will soak up the flavors, and the nuts and seeds will gleam invitingly.
Step 5: Add Crunch and Finish
Just before serving, scatter the crispy wonton strips over the top. This preserves their crunch and gives the salad its signature texture. Finish off with a last sprinkle of sesame seeds and, if you love herbs, an extra shower of cilantro for color and freshness.
How to Serve Chinese Chicken Salad
Garnishes
A final flourish makes all the difference! Top each serving with a few extra toasted almonds, a pinch of sesame seeds, and a handful of fresh cilantro to enhance both the appearance and the layers of flavor. You can even add a little extra drizzle of dressing or a squirt of lime for a zesty touch.
Side Dishes
Chinese Chicken Salad pairs beautifully alongside a pot of fragrant jasmine rice, a warm bowl of miso or egg drop soup, or a light Asian slaw for even more crunch. For a complete meal, consider serving it with steamed dumplings or vegetable spring rolls – the textures and flavors are a perfect match.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun gathering, try serving the salad in lettuce cups, mason jars for picnics, or even inside hollowed-out bell peppers for a stunning table presentation. Small bowls or bento boxes also make it easy to pack for lunch or a picnic, keeping everything crisp and colorful until you’re ready to eat!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have some Chinese Chicken Salad left, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. For best results, add the crispy wonton strips just before eating so they stay crunchy.
Freezing
Salads with fresh veggies aren’t ideal for freezing, since the texture changes after thawing. However, you can freeze cooked chicken in advance, then defrost it to assemble the salad fresh whenever you’re ready.
Reheating
The beauty of Chinese Chicken Salad is it’s meant to be enjoyed cold! If you’d like to revive leftovers, let them come to room temperature for ten minutes, give a quick toss, and enjoy – no reheating needed.
FAQs
Can I make Chinese Chicken Salad vegetarian?
Absolutely! Just swap out the chicken for baked tofu or even chickpeas for a plant-based protein punch. The flavors work beautifully either way, and you’ll still get that irresistible texture.
What’s the best chicken to use?
Any cooked, shredded chicken breast works perfectly – rotisserie chicken is a time-saving favorite, but you can also poach, roast, or grill chicken at home. Just make sure it’s not too dry so it soaks up the dressing.
Can I make Chinese Chicken Salad ahead of time?
Yes! Prep all the veggies and chicken in advance, and keep the dressing separate until right before serving. This keeps the salad crisp and bright, while saving time if you’re entertaining.
What other toppings can I add?
Feel free to get creative – try adding mandarin oranges, shelled edamame, chopped peanuts, or even a sprinkle of chili flakes for some heat. This salad is wonderfully flexible for whatever you love.
Is Chinese Chicken Salad gluten-free?
The salad itself can easily be made gluten-free by using tamari or gluten-free soy sauce in the dressing and gluten-free crispy toppings. Just double-check your ingredients to be sure.
Final Thoughts
This Chinese Chicken Salad is more than just a salad; it’s a vibrant celebration of fresh flavors and delightful textures, perfect for sharing with friends or bringing new energy to your weeknight dinner routine. Give it a try, make it your own, and don’t be surprised when everyone comes back for seconds. Happy cooking!
Print
Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Chinese-American
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Chinese Chicken Salad is a delightful mix of flavors and textures, combining tender shredded chicken with crispy vegetables, crunchy almonds, and savory sesame dressing.
Ingredients
Salad:
- 3 cups cooked and shredded chicken breast
- 4 cups shredded napa cabbage
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds toasted
- 1/2 cup crispy wonton strips
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
Dressing:
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Salad: In a large bowl, combine chicken, napa cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, green onions, cilantro, almonds, and sesame seeds.
- Make Dressing: Whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, ginger, garlic, and vegetable oil.
- Combine: Pour dressing over salad, toss well to coat.
- Serve: Top with wonton strips before serving for added crunch. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- Rotisserie chicken can be used for convenience.
- For a vegetarian option, use baked tofu instead of chicken.
- Enhance with mandarin oranges or edamame for extra flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 large bowl
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
