Name: Delicious Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe You'll Love
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 4 cups Napa cabbage (shredded); 3 cups Iceberg lettuce (chopped); 2 ½ cups cooked chicken (diced); 1 cup carrots (julienned); 11 oz. mandarin oranges (drained and patted dry); 1/3 cup green onions (diced); ½ cup chow mein noodles; ½ cup crispy wonton strips; ¼ cup sliced almonds; 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds; 2 tablespoons rice vinegar; 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce; 2 tablespoons peanut oil (can substitute avocado, vegetable, or canola oil); 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 tablespoon honey; 2 cloves garlic (minced); 1 teaspoon peanut butter (optional); ¾ teaspoon toasted sesame seed oil; ½ teaspoon ground ginger

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Chinese Chicken Salad is a delightful blend of textures and flavors, making it a favorite among salad lovers. This vibrant dish features shredded Napa cabbage, crisp iceberg lettuce, juicy mandarin oranges, and tender cooked chicken, all tossed in a zesty sesame-hoisin dressing. The crunchy chow mein noodles and wonton strips add the perfect finishing touch to this refreshing salad. If you’re looking for a unique salad that’s both filling and light, let’s dive into how to make this delicious Chinese Chicken Salad!

Why You’ll Love This Chinese Chicken Salad

This Chinese Chicken Salad is not only a feast for the eyes but also for the palate! Here are some reasons to love it:

Quick and easy to prepare, perfect for busy weeknights.
Packed with fresh ingredients, making it a healthy choice.
Can be customized with different proteins or vegetables.
Great for meal prep, keeping well in the fridge.
Perfect as a light lunch or a side dish for dinner.
Can be made gluten-free, catering to various dietary needs.
Deliciously versatile, it can be enjoyed year-round.
Pairs wonderfully with Asian Chicken Salad for a colorful buffet spread.

Ingredients for Chinese Chicken Salad

Gather these items:

4 cups Napa cabbage (shredded)
3 cups Iceberg lettuce (chopped)
2 ½ cups cooked chicken (diced)
1 cup carrots (julienned)
11 oz. mandarin oranges (drained and patted dry)
1/3 cup green onions (diced)
½ cup chow mein noodles
½ cup crispy wonton strips
¼ cup sliced almonds
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons peanut oil (can substitute avocado, vegetable, or canola oil)
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon honey
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 teaspoon peanut butter (optional)
¾ teaspoon toasted sesame seed oil
½ teaspoon ground ginger

How to Make Chinese Chicken Salad Step-by-Step

Step 1: Combine rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, peanut oil, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, optional peanut butter, toasted sesame seed oil, and ground ginger in a jar with a lid. Shake vigorously until well mixed. Refrigerate while preparing the salad.
Step 2: Arrange the shredded Napa cabbage and chopped iceberg lettuce evenly on a large serving platter or in a big salad bowl. Lightly drizzle some of the prepared dressing over the greens to start infusing flavor.
Step 3: Evenly distribute the diced cooked chicken, julienned carrots, drained mandarin oranges, and diced green onions over the dressed greens.
Step 4: Drizzle additional dressing over the salad ingredients. Sprinkle sliced almonds, chow mein noodles, crispy wonton strips, and toasted sesame seeds on top for extra crunch and texture. Serve the remaining dressing on the side for guests to add as desired.

Pro Tips for the Perfect Chinese Chicken Salad

Keep these in mind:

Use fresh ingredients for the best flavor and crunch.
For a spicier version, add some sriracha or chili flakes to the dressing.
Try using leftover grilled chicken for added flavor.
Allow the salad to chill for a bit before serving to enhance the flavors.

Best Ways to Serve Chinese Chicken Salad

This salad shines on its own but can also be paired with:

Brown rice or quinoa for a fuller meal.
Spring rolls as a side dish for an Asian-inspired dinner.
As a filling for lettuce wraps for a fun twist.

How to Store and Reheat Chinese Chicken Salad

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For meal prep, keep the dressing separate until serving to maintain freshness. To serve, simply toss the salad with the dressing again before enjoying!

Frequently Asked Questions About Chinese Chicken Salad

What’s the secret to perfect Chinese Chicken Salad?

The secret lies in the balance of flavors and textures. Use fresh, quality ingredients and don’t skip on the dressing, as it ties everything together beautifully!

Can I make Chinese Chicken Salad ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the salad ingredients in advance and keep them refrigerated. Just add the dressing right before serving for the freshest taste.

How do I avoid common mistakes with Chinese Chicken Salad?

To avoid sogginess, keep the dressing separate until serving and avoid over-mixing the salad. This way, the ingredients remain crisp and vibrant!

Variations of Chinese Chicken Salad You Can Try

Feel free to get creative with this salad! Here are some variations:

For a vegetarian option, substitute grilled tofu for chicken.
Add some avocado for a creamy texture.
Incorporate edamame for extra protein and crunch.
Try adding sesame-crusted chickpeas for a unique twist.

Delicious Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe You’ll Love

Author: basmer
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

A refreshing and crunchy Chinese Chicken Salad featuring shredded Napa cabbage, crisp iceberg lettuce, juicy mandarin oranges, and tender cooked chicken, tossed in a vibrant, homemade sesame-hoisin dressing.

Instructions

Combine rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, peanut oil, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, optional peanut butter, toasted sesame seed oil, and ground ginger in a jar with a lid. Shake vigorously until well mixed. Refrigerate while preparing the salad.
Arrange the shredded Napa cabbage and chopped iceberg lettuce evenly on a large serving platter or in a big salad bowl. Lightly drizzle some of the prepared dressing over the greens to start infusing flavor.
Evenly distribute the diced cooked chicken, julienned carrots, drained mandarin oranges, and diced green onions over the dressed greens.
Drizzle additional dressing over the salad ingredients. Sprinkle sliced almonds, chow mein noodles, crispy wonton strips, and toasted sesame seeds on top for extra crunch and texture. Serve the remaining dressing on the side for guests to add as desired.