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You will love this light salad packed with flavor! This easy Asian chicken salad has loads of fun textures, colors, and flavors. It is absolutely delicious and full of tender chicken, healthy veggies, and classic Asian flavors. This easy and healthy Chinese-inspired recipe is a great way to use leftover chicken and veggies from your fridge. It takes 20 minutes to make this protein-packed salad – put it on your menu for dinner tonight. It’s just like what you get at a restaurant with a tasty homemade dressing!
Make this Asian chicken salad with its beautifully balanced dressing and rainbow display of ingredients.
Did you love this chicken salad? Check out these summer salad recipes. Put green Goddess Tik Tok salad on the list, and radicchio endive salad.
Why You’ll Love It
Quick and easy: Pre-cooked rotisserie chicken and pre-shredded cabbage cut down on preparation time, making this Asian chicken salad an excellent option for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings.
Textures: From the crispness of the cabbage to the crunchy wonton strips, this salad is a tasty mix of textures.
Perfect for any occasion: Whether you’re looking for a light lunch or dinner option or a delicious salad for potlucks and picnics, this Chinese chicken salad is perfect for any occasion.
Great for meal prep: Make up a batch and enjoy it throughout the week for quick and easy meals. Keep components separate so they stay fresh.
Asian Chicken Salad Ingredients
A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Salad Ingredients
Shredded rotisserie chicken: Cooked rotisserie chicken is a super convenient protein base for the salad. Look for a rotisserie chicken with minimal seasoning so it easily takes on the flavors of the sesame ginger dressing.
Shredded napa and red cabbage: Shredding these thinly ensures they integrate well with other ingredients. Cabbage brings loads of crunch to this recipe, so don’t skip it.
Matchstick carrots: These add a sweet and crunchy element to the salad. They add pretty color contrast and nutritional value.
Mandarin oranges: Mandarin oranges’ juicy sweetness balances the savory elements.
Wonton sticks: These add a crispy texture and a savory flavor that is perfect in this salad’s Asian-inspired profile. They can be lightly toasted or fried for added crunchiness.
Green onions: Thinly sliced, they add a mild flavor and pop of green color.
Broccoli microgreens: These tender young broccoli shoots add a subtle cruciferous flavor and a delicate texture. Their vibrant green color also provides visual appeal.
Dressing Ingredients
Grapeseed oil: It has a neutral flavor and a high smoke point, making it ideal for salad dressings. It helps carry the flavors of the other ingredients without overpowering them.
Rice vinegar: Rice vinegar offers a mild acidity and subtle sweetness that enhances the dressing’s overall flavor profile. Its lightness helps balance the richness of the other ingredients.
Juice from canned mandarin oranges: Using the juice from canned mandarin oranges adds natural sweetness and citrusy notes to the dressing, complementing the flavors of the salad ingredients.
Sesame oil: Sesame seed oil contributes a nutty aroma and rich flavor to the dressing, giving it a distinctive Asian flair. Use it sparingly, as it has a strong taste. Try toasted sesame oil for a richer taste.
Soy sauce: Soy sauce provides a salty and savory umami flavor to the dressing, enhancing the overall taste of the salad. Opt for low-sodium soy sauce if you prefer to control the saltiness.
Ginger and garlic paste: Fresh ginger and garlic paste infuse the dressing with aromatic warmth and depth of flavor. Avoid powdered alternatives.
How to Make an Asian Chicken Salad
For more detailed instructions with weights and measurements, jump to the printable recipe card.
Make the dressing: Combine all salad dressing ingredients in a mason jar and shake them up.
Build the salad: Add ingredients except the chicken and wonton strips to a large bowl.
Toss everything together: Add ¼ cup of dressing to the chicken and toss it to coat. Next, add this to the salad bowl and gently toss the salad. Top this with the wonton strips. Drizzle it with dressing and serve immediately.
Substitutions and Variations
Protein options: Instead of shredded rotisserie chicken, try grilled chicken or leftover cooked marinated chicken breasts or thighs. Tofu or tempeh can also be used as vegetarian alternatives.
Cabbage substitutions: If Napa cabbage is not available, use regular green cabbage or savoy cabbage. For color variation, red cabbage can be substituted with purple kale or thinly sliced red bell peppers. Any kind of Chinese cabbage is great, as is romaine lettuce.
Citrus alternatives: For a different citrus flavor, use fresh segments of oranges, tangerines, or grapefruit instead of mandarin oranges. Pineapple chunks can also add a tropical twist to the salad.
Dressing variations: Instead of grapeseed oil, try olive or avocado. Substitute rice wine vinegar with apple cider vinegar, white or red wine vinegar, or lime juice for a tangy acidity. Play around with different vinegars to vary the flavor profile of the dressing. Tamari or coconut aminos can be used as alternatives to soy sauce for a gluten-free option. Ponzu sauce or hoisin sauce can also add depth of flavor with a slightly different taste profile.
Wonton swaps: Try ramen noodles, chow mein noodles or any other crunchy noodles. Or toast sesame seeds and sprinkle on top (toasted sesame seeds add flavor and crunch!)
Serving Suggestions
Appetizers: This is the perfect appetizer for an Asian-inspired menu. For fun, add a plate of heart-shaped pork potstickers.
Main: Follow with this yummy pork egg roll bowl or a plate of tangerine chicken stir fry.
Dessert: End off with a no-bake tropical coconut pineapple lush cake. This mango yogurt mousse will fit in perfectly with this menu, too.
How to Store Chicken Salad
Store: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the dressing separate to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
Freeze: This salad shouldn’t be frozen.
Top Tips
Prep ahead: To streamline the salad-making process, prepare ingredients like shredded chicken, cabbage, and vegetables in advance. This allows for easy assembly when it’s time to toss the salad together.
Dress just before serving: To prevent the salad from becoming soggy, dress it just before serving. This ensures that the vegetables stay crisp and the flavors remain vibrant.
Mix dressing thoroughly: Ensure it is well-mixed before drizzling it over the salad. This ensures that each bite is evenly coated with flavor.
Finish and garnish it thoughtfully: Add the dressing to the salad gradually, tossing it to avoid overdressing. You can always add more dressing if needed, but it’s difficult to remove excess once it’s added. Pay attention to the presentation. I like to add fresh cilantro.
Asian Chicken Salad FAQs
Just skimming through? Here are some key take aways not to be missed:
Yes, leftover cooked chicken works well in this Asian chicken salad. You can use grilled, baked, or poached chicken breasts or thighs. Shred or chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces before adding it to the salad.
Yes, you can prepare the dressing ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Shake or stir the dressing well before using it, as some ingredients may separate over time.
Absolutely! Simply omit the chicken or replace it with plant-based protein options like tofu, tempeh, or chickpeas. You can also add extra vegetables or nuts to enhance the salad’s texture and flavor.
Yes, if you need a gluten-free option, you can use crispy gluten-free toppings like toasted sliced almonds, crushed rice crackers, or gluten-free crispy chickpeas.
Yes, using pre-packaged coleslaw mix can save time and effort. Just make sure to check the expiration date and quality of the mix before using it in the salad.
Asian Chicken Salad Recipe
Asian Chicken Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 2 Cups rotisserie chicken, shredded
- 2 Cup Napa cabbage, shredded
- 1 Cup red cabbage, shredded
- 2 Cup romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 Cup cucumbers, chopped
- ½ Cup carrots, matchstick
- ½ Cup mandarin oranges, canned segments
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ Cup wonton sticks
- ¼ Cup green onions, chopped
- ¼ Cup broccoli micro greens
For the Dressing:
- ¼ Cup grapeseed oil
- ¼ Cup rice vinegar
- ¼ Cup juice, from canned mandarin oranges
- 2½ Tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 Teaspoon ginger paste
- 1 Teaspoon garlic paste
- ½ Teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ Teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Combine all the dressing ingredients in a mason jar and shake well.
- Add all the salad ingredients except the chicken and wonton strips to a large bowl.
- Add ¼ cup of dressing to shredded chicken and toss to coat, add to the salad bowl.
- Toss the salad. Top with wonton strips.
- Drizzle with dressing and serve right away.
Notes
Dress just before serving: To prevent the salad from becoming soggy, dress it just before serving. This ensures that the vegetables stay crisp and the flavors remain vibrant.
Mix dressing thoroughly: Ensure it is well-mixed before drizzling it over the salad. This ensures that each bite is evenly coated with flavor.
Finish and garnish it thoughtfully: Add the dressing to the salad gradually, tossing it to avoid overdressing. You can always add more dressing if needed, but it’s difficult to remove excess once it’s added. Pay attention to the presentation. I like to add fresh cilantro.
Nutrition
Try a bowl full of this bright and breezy Asian chicken salad. Think crunchy, sweet, and savory flavors, plus loads of healthy ingredients in this colorful salad. This is a great summer salad as a lunch or potluck dish. Use this recipe as a base and add other tasty veggies to it.
Other Asian Recipes to Try
- Asian zoodle salad: A myriad of crunchy ingredients and a delicious Asian salad dressing.
- Hibachi fried rice is SO delicious! Just like at the restaurant.
- Try this luscious summer sesame avocado Asian chicken salad.
- Here’s a warm and cozy Asian-style recipe: Slow cooker sriracha honey garlic pork chops.
- Slow cooker cashew chicken with snap peas: Super delicious and light.
- Try these salt and pepper pork chop bites for a crowd-pleaser of note.
Bella Bucchiotti
Bella Bucchiotti is a Canadian-based syndicated food, travel, and lifestyle writer, photographer, and creator at xoxoBella. She founded xoxoBella in 2015, where she shares her love for food, dogs, sustainability, fitness, crafts, outdoor adventures, travel, and philanthropy to encourage others to run the extra mile, try new recipes, visit unfamiliar places, and stand for a cause. Bella creates stress-free and family-friendly recipes for weeknight dinners and festive feasts.
