Chinese Chicken Salad is a vibrant, refreshing dish that combines crisp vegetables, tender chicken, and a tangy Asian-inspired dressing. It’s perfect for a quick lunch, a light dinner, or as a crowd-pleasing side dish.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Healthy and Nutritious: Packed with lean protein, fresh vegetables, and a flavorful, low-fat dressing.
- Versatile: Easy to customize with your favorite ingredients or dietary needs.
- Quick and Easy: Comes together in under 30 minutes.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Chinese Chicken Salad
- Keep it Fresh: Use the freshest vegetables for optimal crunch and flavor.
- Prep Ahead: Shred the chicken and chop vegetables in advance, storing them separately to maintain freshness.
- Customize the Crunch: Add roasted peanuts or sunflower seeds for a nutty twist.
- Marinate the Chicken: For extra flavor, marinate chicken in a mix of soy sauce, ginger, and garlic before cooking.
Variations of Chinese Chicken Salad
- Vegetarian: Replace chicken with tofu or edamame.
- Gluten-Free: Use tamari or coconut aminos in place of soy sauce, and gluten-free wonton strips or noodles.
- Spicy: Add chili oil or sriracha to the dressing for a kick of heat.
- Fruit Twist: Toss in mandarin oranges or slices of fresh mango for a sweet contrast.
How to Serve Chinese Chicken Salad
- As a Meal: Pair it with a bowl of miso soup or steamed dumplings for a complete meal.
- Side Dish: Serve alongside grilled meats or stir-fried dishes at a barbecue or potluck.
- Wraps: Use it as a filling for lettuce wraps for a fun, low-carb option.
How to Store Chinese Chicken Salad
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep the dressing separate to prevent the salad from getting soggy.
- Meal Prep: Store each component (chicken, veggies, dressing) separately and assemble just before serving for the freshest results.
Recipe FAQs
What is Chinese Chicken Salad?
Chinese Chicken Salad is a flavorful dish that combines shredded chicken, fresh vegetables, and a tangy Asian-inspired dressing. It’s often topped with crunchy elements like wonton strips or almonds.
Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare all the components ahead of time and assemble them just before serving to keep everything fresh and crunchy.
Is this recipe healthy?
Absolutely! It’s high in protein, packed with fresh veggies, and uses a light dressing that’s lower in calories compared to creamy dressings.
Can I use store-bought dressing?
While homemade dressing offers the best flavor, you can use store-bought sesame or ginger dressing for convenience.
What other proteins can I use?
Feel free to use shrimp, shredded pork, or even grilled beef strips for a unique twist.
chinese chicken salad
Chinese Chicken Salad is a vibrant, refreshing dish that combines crisp vegetables, tender chicken, and a tangy Asian-inspired dressing. It's perfect for a quick lunch, a light dinner, or as a crowd-pleasing side dish.
Ingredients
For the Asian Dressing
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar (or cider vinegar)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil (toasted)
- 2 tbsp grapeseed oil (or any neutral oil)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 ½ tsp fresh ginger, finely grated
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- ½ tsp black pepper
For the Salad
- 4 cups Chinese cabbage (Napa cabbage), finely shredded
- 1 ½ cups red cabbage, finely shredded
- 1 cup carrot, julienned
- 2 cups chicken, shredded
- ½ cup scallions, sliced diagonally
For Garnishing
- ½ to 1 cup crunchy noodles (e.g., Chang's)
- 1-2 tsp sesame seeds.
Instructions
- Combine all dressing ingredients in a jar. Shake well and let it rest for about 10 minutes to blend the flavors.
- In a large bowl, mix together the Napa cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, chicken, and half the crunchy noodles.Drizzle the dressing
- over the salad. Toss everything together until well-coated.
- Divide the salad into bowls, top with remaining crunchy noodles, and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve immediately for the best crunch!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 662Total Fat: 44gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 32gCholesterol: 127mgSodium: 1400mgCarbohydrates: 30gFiber: 8gSugar: 11gProtein: 40g
Chickenrecipes.blog, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thoughts
Chinese Chicken Salad is more than just a dish—it’s a symphony of flavors and textures that can elevate any meal. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or looking for a healthy meal prep option, this salad is a must-try. With its endless customizations and crowd-pleasing appeal, it’s sure to become a favorite in your culinary repertoire.
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