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Colorful, crunchy and full of flavor, this sesame avocado Asian chicken salad brings together fresh vegetables, tender chicken and a zesty homemade dressing. It’s packed with texture from slivered almonds and edamame, creamy avocado and an optional sprinkle of sesame sticks for crunch. The dressing blends sesame oil, rice vinegar and honey for the perfect balance of savory and sweet. This quick salad is great for lunch, meal prep or as a light dinner that feels both satisfying and fresh.

Colorful cabbage chicken salad with shredded chicken, purple cabbage, carrots, edamame, avocado, nuts, and cilantro on a plate, served with a tangy honey ginger dressing.

Sesame avocado Asian chicken salad is a crunchy, flavorful mix of veggies, chicken and creamy dressing. It’s quick to prepare and full of bold, fresh taste.

You might also like my cobb salad, blackened chicken Caesar, or a rotisserie chicken salad sandwich. And don’t miss this sweet grape salad either.

Three plates of colorful cabbage chicken salad with avocado slices, carrots, edamame, almonds, and cilantro are served next to glasses of water—deliciously paired with a honey ginger dressing.

Why You’ll Love It

Packed with texture: A crunchy mix of veggies, nuts and creamy avocado.
Simple to prepare: Toss everything together and drizzle with homemade dressing.
Great for meal prep: Holds up well and tastes even better the next day.
Customizable: Easy to swap ingredients based on what you have.
Healthy and filling: High in protein and fiber to keep you satisfied.

Three plates of colorful salad with shredded chicken, red cabbage, carrots, edamame, avocado, and cilantro—an irresistible cabbage salad recipe perfect with a drizzle of honey ginger dressing.

Asian Chicken Salad Ingredients

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Chicken: Adds protein and heartiness to the salad.
Red cabbage: Crunchy and colorful, or substitute with green cabbage.
Carrots: Bright, sweet and crunchy.
Edamame: Protein-packed and mildly nutty.
Almonds: Slivered for added crunch.
Avocado: Creamy and rich, balances out the crunch.
Cilantro: Fresh and herbaceous.
Green onions: Add sharp, mild bite.
Sesame sticks: Optional crunch and flavor boost.
Olive oil: Forms the base of the dressing for richness and smooth texture.
Sesame oil: Adds a nutty, toasty depth to the dressing.
Rice wine vinegar: Brings brightness and tang.
Soy sauce: Adds savory, salty flavor.
Honey: Balances acidity with natural sweetness.
Ginger and garlic: Fresh, aromatic elements that add warmth.

Chopped purple cabbage, shredded carrots, chicken, sauce, herbs, and creamy avocado come together for a fresh Cabbage salad recipe on a cutting board and table.

How to Make Sesame Avocado Chicken Salad

A complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Make the dressing: Whisk or shake together all dressing ingredients until smooth.
Combine the salad: Add all salad ingredients to a large bowl.
Toss and serve: Pour the dressing over and toss to coat evenly.

Colorful salad with red cabbage, carrots, avocado, edamame, cilantro, nuts, and crunchy toppings on a brown plate—served with a zesty honey ginger dressing for the perfect salad with avocado.

Substitutions and Variations

Use rotisserie chicken: A time-saver that works perfectly.
Try napa cabbage: For a softer, more delicate crunch.
Add fruit: For a hint of sweetness add a drained can of mandarin oranges or perhaps some dried cherries, cranberries or even chopped green apple.
Swap almonds: Use cashews or peanuts instead for a different texture.
Make it vegan: Swap the honey for sugar or sweetener and use tofu instead of the chicken. If you want a change of pace, you can use additional veggies instead of a protein option.
Add more veggies: A handful of beansprouts would work here or some water chestnuts or sliced daikon radish.
More crunch: Add fried vermicelli noodles.

A vibrant Cabbage salad recipe featuring purple cabbage, carrots, edamame, avocado, cilantro, and crispy toppings served on a brown plate.

Serving Suggestions

With something crunchy: Pair your salad with some crab cake egg rolls or even rice paper samosas.
With another Asian side: Enjoy shrimp spring rolls or perhaps ground turkey potstickers.
With a drink: Sip a banana cashew smoothie or even an iced lavender matcha latte with your salad.

A vibrant cabbage salad recipe featuring purple cabbage, carrots, edamame, avocado, herbs, and nuts on a brown plate—delicious with a drizzle of honey ginger dressing.

How to Store Asian Chicken Salad

Store: This salad is best served fresh but if you have leftovers keep them in a covered container in the refrigerator and eat with 1 to 2 days.
Freeze: This isn’t a suitable recipe for freezing.

A plate of colorful Sesame Avocado Asian Chicken Salad with cabbage, carrots, edamame, avocado, nuts, and shredded chicken sits next to a glass of water.

Top Tips

Slice veggies evenly: It makes for a better mix and prettier presentation.
Use ripe avocado: For creamy texture that balances crunch.
Taste the dressing first: Adjust seasoning before tossing.
Serve immediately after dressing: To maintain crunch.

A hand drizzles dressing over a vibrant Sesame Avocado Asian Chicken Salad, featuring cabbage, avocado, chicken, and edamame on a plate.

Sesame Avocado Asian Chicken Salad FAQs

Is this a salad I can prep ahead?

Keep the salad in a covered container and the dressing in another. Asian chicken salad is a great dish to take to a potluck or picnic. I’d advise bringing the dressing along in a sealed bottle. Give it a good shake just before serving the salad, so it is nice and fresh when you serve it.

What’s the history of this salad?

A lot of North American cookbooks in the 1950s started listing Asian style chicken salads. These would feature sesame seeds as a main ingredient in the salad and also the dressing, while before these seeds were just a garnish. Some 25 years ago, these recipes would include soy sauce, salad oil and garlic, as well as ginger which was considered exotic back then. Chinese 5-spice or cinnamon was often used too. Sherry-marinated chicken, sesame seeds, iceberg lettuce, cilantro, green onions, and lemon dressing were popular additions, and cashews or peanuts were often added for crunch.

Three plates of colorful salad with shredded chicken, red cabbage, carrots, edamame, avocado, and cilantro—an irresistible cabbage salad recipe perfect with a drizzle of honey ginger dressing.

Asian Chicken Salad Recipe

A plate of salad with shredded purple cabbage, carrots, edamame, avocado slices, and herbs—perfect as a refreshing cabbage salad recipe with a drizzle of honey ginger dressing.
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5 from 9 votes

Sesame Avocado Asian Chicken Salad

By: Bella Bucchiotti
This vibrant salad is full of crunch, flavor and protein. The sesame dressing ties everything together with the perfect balance of sweet and savory. It’s quick to toss together and great for busy days.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4

Equipment

Ingredients 

For the Dressing

For the Salad 

  • 2 Cups chicken, cooked and shredded
  • 4 Cups red cabbage, or green cabbage, shredded
  • 1 Cup carrots, shredded
  • ½ Cup edamame, shelled
  • ½ Cup almonds, slivered
  • 1 avocado, sliced
  • ½ Cup cilantro, roughly chopped
  • 4 green onions, chopped
  • ¼ Cup sesame sticks, optional

Instructions 

  • Combine all dressing ingredients together in a small bowl or a mason jar. Whisk vigorously to combine, or shake the jar. 
  • In a large bowl combine all salad ingredients. Toss with dressing to evenly coat and then serve immediately.

Notes

Slice veggies evenly: It makes for a better mix and prettier presentation.
Use ripe avocado: For creamy texture that balances crunch.
Taste the dressing first: Adjust seasoning before tossing.
Serve immediately after dressing: To maintain crunch.

Nutrition

Calories: 441kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 290mg | Potassium: 884mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 6705IU | Vitamin C: 62mg | Calcium: 132mg | Iron: 3mg
Like this recipe? Rate and comment below!
Chopped purple cabbage, shredded carrots, chicken, sauce, herbs, and creamy avocado come together for a fresh Cabbage salad recipe on a cutting board and table.
Fresh ingredients like purple cabbage, carrots, green onions, avocado, nuts, and raw chicken breast on a counter—perfect for making a delicious Sesame Avocado Asian Chicken Salad.
A glass jar with honey ginger dressing, perfect for a cabbage salad recipe, sits beside a black measuring spoon on a wooden surface.
A plate of colorful salad with avocado, cabbage, edamame, and carrots is being drizzled with a vibrant honey ginger dressing—a delicious twist on the classic cabbage salad recipe.
This vibrant Sesame Avocado Asian Chicken Salad features purple cabbage, avocado, edamame, shredded chicken, carrots, and fresh herbs on a brown plate—a tasty twist on a classic cabbage salad recipe.
Colorful Sesame Avocado Asian Chicken Salad with purple cabbage, carrots, edamame, cilantro, and chicken on a brown plate—perfect with a drizzle of honey ginger dressing. Try this vibrant cabbage salad recipe for a fresh meal!.

This sesame avocado Asian chicken salad is everything you want in a meal—colorful, flavorful and packed with texture. From creamy avocado to crunchy cabbage and tangy dressing, every bite delivers balance and freshness. Whether you’re meal prepping or throwing it together for a last-minute lunch, this recipe is a satisfying way to eat more greens while enjoying bold, crave-worthy flavors.

Other Recipes to Try

Colorful Sesame Avocado Asian Chicken Salad with purple cabbage, carrots, edamame, and creamy honey ginger dressing being poured on top.
Plate of Sesame Avocado Asian Chicken Salad with shredded purple cabbage, avocado slices, edamame, carrots, and nuts, all drizzled with a honey ginger dressing for a fresh twist on the classic cabbage salad recipe.
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.

 

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Recipe Rating




5 from 9 votes (2 ratings without comment)

10 Comments

  7. 5 stars
    Yes, yes, yes! All of these things. Honey is basically it’s own food group in my opinion, so any recipe calling for honey is up my alley. Add avocado to that and I’m in heaven. Definitely going to try this!

    Reply