Description
Savor the zesty notes of this classic Chinese chicken salad, blending crisp vegetables with tender shredded chicken and a tangy sesame dressing. Perfect for summer gatherings, you’ll enjoy this refreshing dish that brings bold Asian-inspired flavors to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast (shredded or chopped)
Vegetables and Crunchy Toppings:
- 4 cups shredded cabbage (green or napa)
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup sliced green onions
- 1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds
- 1/2 cup crispy chow mein noodles
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds
Dressing Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 garlic clove (minced)
Instructions
- Shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and place in a spacious mixing vessel.
- Add finely chopped cabbage, julienned carrots, and thinly sliced green onions to the chicken.
- Gently toast slivered almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden and fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
- Incorporate toasted almonds and crispy chow mein noodles into the salad mixture.
- Create the dressing by vigorously whisking soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, and vegetable oil in a separate container.
- Grate fresh ginger and mince garlic, then blend into the liquid dressing mixture.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds into the dressing and mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
- Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad and toss gently with two large spoons to coat all ingredients uniformly.
- For enhanced flavor development, refrigerate the salad for 30 minutes before serving.
- Serve chilled, garnishing with additional sesame seeds or green onions if desired.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken for quick assembly and added flavor depth.
- Swap chow mein noodles with toasted panko breadcrumbs or rice crackers for different texture variations.
- Replace soy sauce with tamari and ensure chow mein noodles are gluten-free certified to accommodate dietary restrictions.
- Substitute chicken with tofu, shredded duck, or grilled shrimp for diverse protein alternatives that maintain the salad’s Asian-inspired profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg