Zesty Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe: A Fresh Twist on Classic

Crafting a delightful chinese chicken salad brings together vibrant flavors and crisp textures that dance on your palate.

Crunchy cabbage and tender chicken create a perfect harmony of tastes.

Fragrant sesame oil and zesty dressing elevate every single bite.

Colorful vegetables add depth and excitement to this classic dish.

Fresh ingredients make all the difference in creating a memorable meal.

Quick and simple preparation means you can enjoy this refreshing salad in minutes.

Grab your chopsticks and get ready to savor an incredible culinary experience that will leave you craving more.

What Makes Chinese Chicken Salad So Refreshing

• Create a Flavor Explosion: This Chinese chicken salad bursts with vibrant, tangy notes that dance across your taste buds, combining sweet, savory, and nutty elements in one spectacular dish.
• Master Healthy Meal Prep: Perfect for health-conscious individuals, this protein-packed salad delivers nutrition without sacrificing incredible taste, making it an ideal option for quick lunches or light dinners.
• Customize with Ease: Adaptable ingredients allow you to swap or add components, transforming the recipe to match personal preferences or dietary needs while maintaining its delicious core profile.
• Texture Sensation: Crispy almonds, tender chicken, and crunchy wonton strips create a multi-dimensional eating experience that keeps every bite interesting and satisfying.

What You’ll Need for Chinese Chicken Salad

• Chicken Breasts: A lean protein that forms the core of this fresh and light salad.

• Napa Cabbage: A crisp and mild cabbage that provides a delightful base for the salad.
• Green Onions, Cilantro: Fresh herbs that add bright and zesty flavor to the dish.
• Carrots: Crunchy vegetables that bring color and sweet notes to the salad.

• Rice Vinegar, Soy Sauce, Sesame Oil: A classic Asian-inspired combination that creates a tangy and savory flavor profile.
• Honey: Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the savory elements.
• Ginger, Garlic: Aromatic ingredients that provide depth and traditional Asian-style seasoning.
• Vegetable Oil: Helps to emulsify and bind the dressing ingredients.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste.

• Almonds, Wonton Strips, Sesame Seeds: Textural elements that provide a satisfying crunch and nutty complexity to the salad.

Easy Instructions for a Flavorful Chinese Chicken Salad

Step 1: Roast The Chicken

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Roast the chicken until the internal temperature hits 165°F, which typically takes 25-30 minutes. Let the chicken cool completely before shredding into bite-sized pieces using two forks.

Step 2: Toast Nutty Crunch

Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add sliced almonds and toast until they turn golden and release a delightful fragrant aroma. Stir frequently to prevent burning.

Step 3: Prep Colorful Vegetables

• Finely shredding napa cabbage
• Chopping green onions
• Julienning carrots
• Roughly chopping cilantro

Step 4: Create Vibrant Dressing

• Rice vinegar
• Soy sauce
• Sesame oil
• Honey
• Minced ginger
• Minced garlic
• Vegetable oil
• Black pepper
• Salt

Step 5: Combine Salad Ingredients

• Shredded chicken
• Napa cabbage
• Green onions
• Carrots
• Cilantro

Step 6: Dress And Toss

Pour the prepared dressing over the salad. Toss thoroughly to ensure every ingredient is evenly coated with the flavorful dressing.

Step 7: Add Crunchy Toppings

• Toasted almonds
• Crispy wonton strips
• Sesame seeds

Step 8: Chill And Serve

Refrigerate the salad for 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Serve cold and savor the refreshing, texture-rich Chinese chicken salad.

Pro Tips for a Crisp and Colorful Chinese Chicken Salad

• Roast Chicken Perfectly: Pat chicken breasts dry before seasoning to ensure crispy, golden exterior and prevent steaming.
• Slice Almonds Carefully: Watch almonds closely while toasting, as they can quickly burn; remove from heat when they turn light golden and emit a nutty aroma.
• Prep Veggies Ahead: Chop vegetables in advance and store in airtight containers to save time and maintain crispness before assembling the salad.
• Balance Dressing Flavors: Taste and adjust dressing ingredients, adding more honey for sweetness or rice vinegar for tanginess to suit your preference.
• Keep Salad Crunchy: Add crispy wonton strips and toasted almonds just before serving to maintain their crispness and prevent sogginess.

Fresh Twists on Chinese Chicken Salad

• Spicy Sichuan Chicken Salad: Replace rice vinegar with chili oil, add Sichuan peppercorns, and mix in diced red chili peppers for a fiery kick.
• Mediterranean Greek Chicken Salad: Swap napa cabbage with romaine, use feta cheese instead of almonds, and add kalamata olives with a lemon-oregano dressing.
• Tropical Hawaiian Chicken Salad: Incorporate diced pineapple, use macadamia nuts, add shredded coconut, and drizzle with a tangy passion fruit vinaigrette.
• Protein-Packed Quinoa Chicken Salad: Replace cabbage with cooked quinoa, include edamame, mix in extra grilled chicken, and use a lighter sesame-ginger dressing.

Best Pairings for Chinese Chicken Salad Meals

• Pair with Crisp Riesling: Select a chilled, slightly sweet German Riesling that balances the salad's tangy dressing and cuts through its rich flavors, creating a harmonious taste experience.
• Complement with Green Tea: Brew a light, refreshing green tea to enhance the salad's Asian-inspired profile, offering a clean, subtle backdrop that doesn't overpower the dish's complex seasonings.
• Match with Sparkling Water with Citrus: Add a slice of lemon or lime to sparkling water, which provides a zesty, palate-cleansing element that highlights the salad's bright and vibrant dressing.

How to Store Chinese Chicken Salad the Right Way

• Transfer leftover salad to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days, keeping the crispy toppings separate to maintain their crunch.
• Keep the dressing in a sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to one week, allowing you to refresh the salad quickly when needed.
• Store cooked chicken, chopped vegetables, and toasted almonds in separate containers in the refrigerator, which helps maintain freshness and allows for easy assembly later.
• Avoid freezing the complete salad, but you can freeze shredded chicken in a sealed freezer bag for up to 3 months, thawing in the refrigerator before use.

FAQs About Making Chinese Chicken Salad

• Is this salad authentically Chinese?

While inspired by Chinese flavors, this is an Americanized version that combines traditional Asian ingredients with modern salad techniques, popular in California cuisine.

• Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of roasting my own?

Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a quick and convenient substitute that saves time and still provides delicious flavor and protein for the salad.

• How do I make this salad gluten-free?

Replace wonton strips with rice noodles or gluten-free crispy rice crackers, and use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce to create a gluten-free version.

• What if I don't have rice vinegar?

White wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar can be good substitutes, though they’ll slightly alter the traditional tangy Asian flavor profile of the dressing.

Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 45-50 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Crisp and refreshing Chinese Chicken Salad brings zesty Asian flavors dancing across your plate. Crunchy cabbage, tender chicken, and tangy dressing create a perfect balance of textures that will satisfy you with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 lbs chicken breast
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds

Vegetables:

• 1 head napa cabbage, shredded
• 1 cup green onions, chopped
• 1 cup carrots, julienned
• 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

Dressing and Seasonings:

• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp ginger, minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp salt

Garnish:

• 1/2 cup crispy wonton strips
• 2 tbsp sesame seeds

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F and season chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then roast for 25-30 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
2. Allow chicken to cool completely, then shred into bite-sized pieces using two forks.
3. Toast sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden and fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
4. Prepare the vegetables by finely shredding napa cabbage, chopping green onions, julienning carrots, and roughly chopping cilantro.
5. Whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, minced ginger, minced garlic, vegetable oil, black pepper, and salt in a large mixing bowl to create a vibrant dressing.
6. Combine shredded chicken, napa cabbage, green onions, carrots, and cilantro in a spacious salad bowl.
7. Pour the prepared dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to ensure even coating.
8. Sprinkle toasted almonds, crispy wonton strips, and sesame seeds on top as a crunchy garnish.
9. Chill the salad for 15-20 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld together.
10. Serve cold and enjoy the refreshing, texture-rich Chinese chicken salad.

Notes

• Roast chicken ahead of time to save preparation time and enhance flavor depth by seasoning generously with herbs or spices.
• Toast almonds carefully, watching closely to prevent burning, as they can quickly turn from golden to charred in seconds.
• Customize salad by substituting protein: swap chicken with tofu for vegetarian version or use rotisserie chicken for quicker meal prep.
• Prepare dressing separately and store in refrigerator up to 3 days in advance for meal planning convenience and enhanced flavor development.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 7 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg