Zesty Asian Chopped Salad Recipe: A Fresh Twist on Greens

Crafting an incredible asian chopped salad means embracing a vibrant culinary adventure that dances across your taste buds.

Crisp vegetables and zesty dressing create a symphony of flavors waiting to surprise you.

Unexpected ingredients blend seamlessly, turning an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Quick and refreshing, this salad promises a delightful escape from mundane lunch routines.

Colorful textures and bold seasonings invite you to explore each delectable bite.

Seasonal produce becomes your playground for creativity and deliciousness.

You’ll fall in love with how effortlessly this dish comes together, making every meal feel like a celebration.

Why You’ll Love This Bold Asian Chopped Salad

• Create a Quick Flavor Explosion: Packed with vibrant Asian-inspired ingredients that burst with tangy, fresh, and nutty flavors in every single bite.
• Master Simple Meal Prep: Designed for busy individuals who want a nutritious, protein-rich meal that comes together with minimal cooking and maximum satisfaction.
• Boost Nutritional Power: Loaded with lean protein from chicken, fiber-rich vegetables, and protein-packed edamame, delivering a well-balanced and wholesome eating experience.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe that allows swapping ingredients, adjusting spice levels, or adding extra toppings to suit personal taste preferences and dietary needs.

Crisp, Crunchy Ingredients for Asian Chopped Salad

• Chicken: A tender and flavorful protein that serves as the primary component of the salad.
• Edamame: A nutritious soybean that adds extra protein and a creamy texture to the dish.

• Napa Cabbage, Red Cabbage: Crisp and crunchy base vegetables that provide a fresh and light foundation for the salad.
• Carrots: Vibrant orange vegetables that add a sweet crunch and visual appeal.
• Cucumber: A refreshing vegetable that brings a cool and crisp element to the salad.
• Green Onions: Provides a mild, sharp flavor and elegant garnish to the dish.
• Cilantro: A bright and aromatic herb that enhances the overall flavor profile.

• Rice Vinegar, Soy Sauce, Sesame Oil, Honey: A balanced combination of tangy, salty, and sweet liquid ingredients that create a harmonious dressing.
• Ginger: A zesty and aromatic root that adds depth and warmth to the dressing.
• Almonds, Sesame Seeds: Crunchy and nutty toppings that provide additional texture and flavor contrast.

Steps to Build a Tasty Asian Chopped Salad

Step 1: Shred Chicken Into Delicate Strands

Break down the chicken into fine, uniform pieces that are tender and at room temperature. Use two forks to pull the meat apart, creating light and airy shreds.

Step 2: Slice Cabbage Into Crisp Ribbons

Chop both napa and red cabbage into super thin strands. The goal is to create a delicate, crunchy foundation that provides maximum texture to the salad.

Step 3: Prepare Colorful Vegetable Mix

• Julienne carrots into slender matchsticks
• Dice cucumber into tiny, uniform cubes
• Slice green onions into elegant diagonal rings

Step 4: Create Zesty Dressing

• Rice vinegar
• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Honey
• Minced ginger

Blend ingredients until smooth and well-integrated.

Step 5: Combine Salad Components

• Shredded chicken
• Edamame
• Napa cabbage
• Red cabbage
• Carrots
• Green onions
• Cucumber

Step 6: Dress And Toss

Pour the prepared dressing over the salad. Gently toss to ensure every ingredient gets perfectly coated with the tangy, sweet mixture.

Step 7: Add Finishing Touches

• Fresh chopped cilantro
• Sliced almonds
• Toasted sesame seeds

Step 8: Let Flavors Mingle

Allow the salad to rest for 5-10 minutes. This waiting period lets the ingredients absorb the dressing and develop a deeper, more complex flavor profile.

Step 9: Serve And Enjoy

Serve chilled or at room temperature. The salad offers a refreshing, light meal packed with Asian-inspired flavors and textures.

Smart Tips for the Best Asian Chopped Salad

• Shred Chicken Perfectly: Ensure even, thin pieces by using two forks to pull apart cooled, cooked chicken for ideal texture and consistent bites.
• Slice Vegetables Uniformly: Use a sharp knife or mandoline to create precise, thin cuts of cabbage, carrots, and cucumber for a professional-looking salad with balanced crunch.
• Balance Dressing Flavors: Adjust honey and rice vinegar ratios to create a harmonious sweet-tangy profile that complements the fresh vegetables and chicken.
• Toast Nuts and Seeds: Lightly toast almonds and sesame seeds in a dry pan to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crispness to the salad.
• Make Ahead Friendly: Prepare components separately and combine just before serving to maintain maximum freshness and prevent soggy vegetables.

Mix-Ins to Try in Your Asian Chopped Salad

• Thai Peanut Crunch Salad: Replace dressing with spicy peanut sauce, add crushed peanuts, and include fresh Thai basil for an intense Southeast Asian flavor profile.
• Korean BBQ Chicken Salad: Swap shredded chicken with Korean-style grilled bulgogi chicken, incorporate kimchi, and use gochujang-based dressing for a bold, tangy kick.
• Vietnamese Fresh Roll Salad: Transform the recipe by adding rice noodles, fresh mint leaves, and drizzle with nuoc cham dressing for a light, herbaceous version.
• Japanese Miso Fusion Salad: Integrate miso paste into the dressing, include pickled daikon radish, and top with crispy wonton strips for extra texture and umami complexity.

What to Serve with Asian Chopped Salad

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio perfectly complements the salad's fresh, light flavors, cutting through the soy and sesame dressing with bright, zesty notes.
• Enhance with Refreshing Green Tea: A cold, unsweetened green tea provides a clean, subtle backdrop that highlights the salad's Asian-inspired ingredients and cleanses the palate between bites.
• Match with Sparkling Water and Citrus: Lemon or lime-infused sparkling water adds a crisp, effervescent element that echoes the salad's bright, tangy dressing and refreshes the overall dining experience.
• Complement with Light Sake: A chilled, dry sake brings authentic Asian nuance, its subtle rice undertones harmonizing beautifully with the salad's chicken, vegetables, and nutty sesame seeds.

How to Store Asian Chopped Salad Right

• Store the Asian Chopped Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the dressing separate from the salad to prevent wilting and maintain crisp textures.
• Store chicken, chopped vegetables, and dressing in individual sealed containers to preserve freshness and prevent soggy ingredients.
• Do not freeze this salad, as the crisp vegetables and delicate herbs will lose their texture and become mushy when thawed.
• Chop vegetables and cook chicken ahead of time, storing them separately in the refrigerator to quickly assemble the salad when ready to serve.

FAQs About Asian Chopped Salad Bowl

• What are the key health benefits of this Asian Chopped Salad?

This salad is packed with protein from chicken and edamame, provides essential vitamins from fresh vegetables like cabbage and carrots, offers omega-3 fatty acids from sesame seeds, and delivers low-calorie nutrition with high fiber content.

• Can I make this salad vegetarian?

Yes, replace chicken with tofu or tempeh, and ensure you use vegetarian-friendly soy sauce to maintain the protein content and overall flavor profile of the dish.

• How can I adjust the dressing's spiciness?

Add sriracha sauce or red pepper flakes to increase heat, or include a small amount of sambal oelek for an extra kick. Start with small quantities and adjust according to your taste preference.

Asian Chopped Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 36 reviews

• Total Time: 30-35 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Crunchy, refreshing Asian chopped salad delivers a symphony of textures and bold flavors that dance across your palate. Crisp vegetables, zesty dressing, and delicate herbs combine to create a light yet satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 2 cups shredded chicken breast
• 1/2 cup edamame

Vegetables and Greens:

• 3 cups napa cabbage, chopped
• 1 cup red cabbage, shredded
• 1/2 cup carrots, julienned
• 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
• 1/3 cup cucumber, diced

Dressing and Seasonings:

• 3 tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp ginger, minced
• 2 tbsp cilantro, chopped
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken by shredding it into thin, uniform pieces, ensuring the meat is evenly torn and cooled to room temperature.
2. Chop napa cabbage and red cabbage into fine, delicate strands, creating a crisp and textured base for the salad.
3. Julienne carrots into thin, matchstick-like strips and dice cucumber into small, consistent cubes for added crunch and visual appeal.
4. Slice green onions diagonally to create elegant, thin rings that will provide a mild, sharp flavor throughout the salad.
5. Mix rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, and minced ginger in a small bowl, whisking until the dressing becomes smooth and well-integrated.
6. Combine shredded chicken, edamame, napa cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, green onions, and cucumber in a large mixing bowl.
7. Pour the prepared dressing over the salad and gently toss to ensure every ingredient is evenly coated and seasoned.
8. Sprinkle chopped cilantro, sliced almonds, and sesame seeds over the top of the salad for added texture and nutty flavor.
9. Let the salad rest for 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together before serving chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

• Perfectly shred chicken by using two forks to pull meat apart while it’s still warm, ensuring tender, uniform pieces that absorb dressing beautifully.
• Maintain crisp vegetable texture by chopping cabbage and slicing vegetables just before serving to prevent wilting and preserve vibrant crunch.
• Customize dressing intensity by adjusting soy sauce and honey levels, creating a balanced flavor profile that suits individual taste preferences.
• Transform into gluten-free version by substituting tamari for soy sauce and ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free, making the salad accessible for sensitive diets.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 440 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 23 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg