If you crave a dish that bursts with vibrant colors, irresistible crunch, and a harmony of bold, savory flavors, then this Crunchy Asian Sesame Chicken Salad Recipe is about to become your new favorite go-to. It’s a delightful mix of tender, juicy chicken breast paired with crisp Napa and purple cabbage, sweet bell peppers, and fresh herbs, all brought to life by a luscious, tangy sesame dressing. Every bite is a celebration of textures and tastes that will have you coming back for more. Whether you want a quick lunch, a light dinner, or a stunning dish to impress friends, this salad checks all the boxes with ease and charm.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering simple yet essential ingredients is the secret to this salad’s success. Each component plays a role in delivering not just flavor but also exciting textures and vibrant colors that make this dish as appealing to the eyes as it is to the palate.
- Cooked chicken breast (2 cups): Use shredded or diced meat for tender protein that blends perfectly with veggies.
- Napa cabbage (4 cups shredded): Offers a subtle sweetness and satisfying crunch as the salad’s base.
- Purple cabbage (2 cups shredded): Adds a beautiful color contrast and extra crispness.
- Carrots (1 cup shredded): Bring natural sweetness and a vivid orange hue to the mix.
- Red bell pepper (1 thinly sliced): Provides juicy, fresh flavor along with bright red color.
- Green onions (4 sliced): Deliver a mild onion bite and a pop of green freshness.
- Cilantro leaves (1/2 cup chopped): Infuse the salad with fragrant herbaceous notes.
- Sliced almonds (1/3 cup toasted): Add a nutty crunch that elevates texture beautifully.
- Crispy wonton strips (1 cup): Essential for that signature crunchy finish everyone loves.
- Sesame seeds (2 tablespoons): Boost the nuttiness and visual appeal with their tiny toasty bites.
- Rice vinegar (1/4 cup): Gives the dressing a bright, tangy kick.
- Soy sauce (2 tablespoons): Brings umami depth and a savory undertone.
- Sesame oil (2 tablespoons): Adds rich, aromatic toasted sesame flavor to the dressing.
- Vegetable oil (2 tablespoons): Provides a smooth, mild base for the dressing.
- Honey (1 tablespoon): Balances acidity with delicate sweetness.
- Brown sugar (1 tablespoon): Enhances caramel notes in the dressing.
- Fresh ginger (1 teaspoon grated): Offers gentle warmth and zest.
- Garlic (1 clove minced): Adds a savory punch to tie all flavors together.
How to Make Crunchy Asian Sesame Chicken Salad Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Fresh Vegetables
Start by combining the Napa cabbage, purple cabbage, shredded carrots, thinly sliced red bell pepper, sliced green onions, and chopped cilantro in a large bowl. This colorful mix creates the foundation of the salad, delivering a refreshing crunch and a vibrant palette of flavors that are simply irresistible.
Step 2: Add the Protein and Crunchy Elements
Next, fold in the cooked chicken breast along with the toasted sliced almonds, sesame seeds, and crispy wonton strips. These ingredients bring a wonderful variety of textures—from juicy to nutty to satisfyingly crunchy—that make every bite exciting and memorable.
Step 3: Whisk Together the Dressing
In a small bowl or jar, whisk the rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, vegetable oil, honey, brown sugar, grated fresh ginger, and minced garlic until the mixture is smooth and well combined. This dressing perfectly balances sweet, tangy, and savory notes, coating the salad in mouthwatering flavor.
Step 4: Toss the Salad
Pour the luscious dressing over the salad ingredients and toss everything together thoroughly until all the components are evenly coated. This ensures that each bite is bursting with that signature Crunchy Asian Sesame Chicken Salad Recipe flavor and satisfying crispness.
Step 5: Serve Immediately
For the best experience, serve this salad right away to enjoy the maximum crunch and freshness. This step is key—no one wants soggy wontons or wilted veggies, so dig in and savor every delightful forkful.
How to Serve Crunchy Asian Sesame Chicken Salad Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your Crunchy Asian Sesame Chicken Salad Recipe, sprinkle extra toasted sesame seeds or thinly sliced green onions on top just before serving. A few fresh cilantro leaves or a wedge of lime can also brighten the flavors and add a beautiful fresh touch that guests will adore.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs wonderfully with light, simple sides like steamed jasmine rice or crispy egg rolls. For a heartier meal, serve it alongside grilled shrimp or a bowl of miso soup to complement the Asian flavors further without overwhelming the palate.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to impress at your next gathering? Serve the salad in individual crunchy wonton cups or hollowed-out mini bell peppers for a fun presentation twist. You can also pile it high on colorful plates to showcase those gorgeous hues or wrap it loosely in rice paper sheets for handheld Asian-inspired wraps.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store the salad and dressing separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator to maintain maximum freshness and crunch. Keep the crispy wonton strips stored on the side to avoid sogginess—add them just before serving the next day.
Freezing
Because of the fresh vegetables and crispy elements, this Crunchy Asian Sesame Chicken Salad Recipe is not ideal for freezing. The texture of the cabbage and wontons will suffer, so it’s best enjoyed fresh or within a couple of days stored properly in the fridge.
Reheating
This salad is meant to be served cold or at room temperature, so reheating is not recommended. If you want warmed chicken, reheat the meat separately before adding it to the fresh salad components to preserve texture and flavor balance.
FAQs
Can I use frozen chicken for this salad?
Absolutely! Just make sure the chicken is fully cooked and thawed before shredding or dicing to keep the salad’s texture perfect.
What can I substitute for crispy wonton strips?
If you can’t find wonton strips, try crispy chow mein noodles or even toasted pita chips for that much-needed crunch.
Is this salad gluten-free?
To make it gluten-free, simply substitute the soy sauce with tamari or a gluten-free alternative and ensure your wonton strips are gluten-free or omitted.
Can I make this salad vegetarian?
Yes! Substitute the chicken with tofu or a hearty vegetable like roasted mushrooms to keep it protein-packed and delicious.
How long does the salad last in the fridge?
Stored properly, the salad components will last up to two days, but it’s best enjoyed fresh to keep that signature crunch intact.
Final Thoughts
This Crunchy Asian Sesame Chicken Salad Recipe is truly a special dish that brings joy with every bite. Its vibrant combination of textures, colors, and bold flavors makes it a versatile favorite perfect for any occasion. I can’t wait for you to try it and watch it become a staple in your recipe collection—trust me, you’re going to love it!
Print
Crunchy Asian Sesame Chicken Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian
Description
A vibrant and crunchy Asian-inspired sesame chicken salad featuring tender shredded chicken, crisp napa and purple cabbage, fresh vegetables, and a zesty homemade sesame dressing. This salad combines a delightful mix of textures and flavors, perfect for a quick, healthy meal.
Ingredients
Salad
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
- 4 cups shredded Napa cabbage
- 2 cups shredded purple cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 4 green onions, sliced
- 1/2 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
- 1 cup crispy wonton strips
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
Dressing
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
- Combine Vegetables: In a large bowl, mix together the Napa cabbage, purple cabbage, shredded carrots, thinly sliced red bell pepper, sliced green onions, and chopped cilantro until evenly distributed.
- Add Chicken and Crunchy Elements: Add the cooked, shredded or diced chicken breast to the vegetable mixture along with the toasted sliced almonds, sesame seeds, and crispy wonton strips, stirring to combine.
- Prepare Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, vigorously whisk or shake together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, vegetable oil, honey, brown sugar, grated fresh ginger, and minced garlic until the dressing is smooth and the sugar is dissolved.
- Toss Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the flavorful sesame dressing.
- Serve Fresh: Serve the salad immediately to maintain the crispness and freshness of the ingredients for the best texture and taste experience.
Notes
- For extra protein, add some chopped peanuts or cashews along with the almonds.
- Use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken to save time.
- To make this salad vegetarian, omit the chicken and add extra almonds or tofu cubes.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos and use gluten-free wonton strips or omit them.
- To toast almonds, heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant and golden.
- Prepare the dressing in advance and refrigerate for up to 3 days for faster assembly.
