Description
This Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad is a vibrant, nutritious dish combining shredded chicken with fresh coleslaw mix, romaine, dried cranberries, toasted almonds, and a flavorful sesame-soy dressing. Topped optionally with crunchy chow mein noodles, it’s a quick, no-cook recipe perfect for a healthy lunch or light dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped
- 4 cups coleslaw mix (or shredded cabbage and carrots)
- 1 cup shredded romaine or mixed greens
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (optional)
- 1/3 cup crunchy chow mein noodles (optional for topping)
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the shredded or chopped cooked chicken, coleslaw mix, shredded romaine or mixed greens, dried cranberries, sliced almonds, thinly sliced green onions, and chopped cilantro if using, ensuring all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Prepare Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, thoroughly whisk together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey (or maple syrup), sesame oil, olive oil, grated fresh ginger, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until the dressing is smooth and emulsified.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly in the flavorful dressing.
- Add Crunchy Toppings: Sprinkle crunchy chow mein noodles over the top if desired for an additional crunchy texture and serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow flavors to meld and enhance.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quick and convenient protein option.
- To add extra crunch, toast the almonds lightly before adding them to the salad.
- This salad is great for meal prep—keep the dressing and chow mein noodles separate until ready to serve to maintain texture and freshness.
- For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of soy sauce and substitute gluten-free chow mein noodles or omit them altogether.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
