Description
This Chinese Chicken Salad is a crisp, refreshing, and flavorful dish perfect for a light lunch or dinner. Featuring tender shredded chicken, fresh mixed greens, vibrant vegetables, and crunchy toppings like toasted almonds and crispy wonton strips, it’s dressed in a tangy and slightly sweet sesame-ginger dressing that brings all the ingredients together beautifully. This no-cook recipe is quick to prepare, customizable, and ideal for those looking for a delicious, healthy Asian-inspired salad.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cooked chicken breasts, shredded or chopped (rotisserie chicken works great!)
- 4 cups mixed greens (such as romaine or cabbage, shredded)
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
- 1/4 cup toasted almonds
- 1/2 cup crispy wonton strips or chow mein noodles
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped (optional)
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low-sodium for a healthier version)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional for extra tang)
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated or minced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the salad ingredients: In a large salad bowl, combine the shredded chicken, mixed greens, shredded carrots, sliced red bell pepper, and chopped green onions. Toss gently to mix all the components evenly.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl or a jar with a lid, whisk together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, Dijon mustard, grated ginger, and minced garlic until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning by adding more honey for sweetness or soy sauce for saltiness if desired.
- Toss the salad: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss thoroughly to coat everything evenly with the dressing. Reserve a small amount of dressing to drizzle over the salad before serving if you like extra flavor.
- Add toppings: Sprinkle the toasted almonds, crispy wonton strips, and sesame seeds evenly on top of the salad. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro if you are using it to add a fresh herbal note.
- Serve and enjoy: Serve the salad immediately for the best texture, especially to keep the crispy toppings crunchy. Alternatively, you can chill the salad and add the crunchy toppings just before serving to maintain their crispness.
Notes
- Rotisserie chicken: This is the easiest way to get tender, flavorful chicken ready for the salad without any extra cooking time.
- Customize veggies: Feel free to add cucumber slices, edamame beans, or snap peas for extra crunch and fresh flavors.
- Adjust sweetness: Increase the amount of honey or maple syrup in the dressing if you prefer a sweeter taste.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the salad ingredients and dressing in advance, but toss them together just before serving to keep the salad fresh and crisp.
- Toasting almonds: Toast almonds in a dry pan over medium heat for a few minutes, stirring frequently, to enhance their nutty flavor before adding to the salad.
