Description
This Chinese Chicken Salad is a vibrant and healthy Asian-inspired dish featuring tender shredded chicken, crunchy napa cabbage, crisp vegetables, and a flavorful sesame-ginger dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or a refreshing main course, it combines textures and tastes with a delightful balance of savory, sweet, and tangy notes.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie or poached)
- 4 cups shredded napa cabbage (or green cabbage)
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 3 green onions, sliced
- ½ cup sliced almonds, toasted
- 1 cup crispy wonton strips or chow mein noodles
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds (optional)
Dressing Ingredients
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey or maple syrup, vegetable oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, and salt and pepper until fully combined. Set aside to let the flavors meld.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the shredded chicken, napa cabbage, shredded carrots, sliced red bell pepper, green onions, and toasted almonds. Toss gently to mix all the salad components evenly.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture. Toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly with the flavorful dressing, ensuring every bite is delicious.
- Add Crunch and Serve: Just before serving, sprinkle the salad with crispy wonton strips or chow mein noodles for extra crunch. Optionally, garnish with sesame seeds. Serve chilled or at room temperature for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can prep all the ingredients ahead of time and combine with the dressing just before serving to maintain crispness.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute cooked chicken with edamame or baked tofu.
- Add mandarin oranges to the salad for a refreshing fruity twist.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
