Sesame Chicken Cabbage Salad Recipe

If you’re craving something fresh, vibrant, and packed with flavor, Sesame Chicken Cabbage Salad is the answer to your lunch or dinner dreams. This dish combines crisp cabbage and tender chicken with a dressing that’s nutty, savory, and just a little bit sweet. It’s light yet satisfying, beautifully colorful, and overflowing with those irresistible Asian-inspired flavors. Perfect for easy meal prep or an eye-catching potluck dish, this salad manages to be hearty but never heavy. Trust me, once you try Sesame Chicken Cabbage Salad, it’ll become a repeat recipe in your kitchen.

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

The best part about this recipe is how it turns simple, everyday ingredients into a showstopping salad. Each component adds something unique, whether it’s crunch, tenderness, or a splash of color that brightens up your table.

• Cabbage: Shredded green or napa cabbage forms the crisp, refreshing base that soaks up the sesame dressing beautifully.
• Cooked chicken breast: Use leftover chicken or quickly sauté a fresh breast for juicy, protein-packed bites in every forkful.
• Carrots: Julienned carrots bring a wonderful crunch and hint of sweetness, plus a pop of orange color.
• Red bell pepper: Sliced thin, this adds vibrant color and mild, juicy flavor to balance the salad.
• Green onions: These little guys offer just the right amount of bite and a touch of green for extra freshness.
• Cilantro: A scattering of fresh cilantro gives a bright, herbal lift that ties everything together.
• Toasted sesame seeds: They’re tiny but mighty, delivering nutty flavor and crunch after a quick toast in a dry pan.
• Soy sauce: A splash lends that deep umami backbone to the savory sesame dressing.
• Sesame oil: The soul of the salad’s flavor—don’t skip it! Just a little transforms the whole dish.
• Rice vinegar: For tang and brightness, rice vinegar balances the richness of the sesame oil.
• Honey or sugar: A touch of sweetness rounds out the dressing and makes the flavors sing.
• Ginger & garlic: Freshly grated ginger and minced garlic add warmth and zing to the dressing.

How to Make Sesame Chicken Cabbage Salad

Step 1: Prep the Veggies

Start by shredding your cabbage; you want thin, inviting ribbons that hold up to the dressing without wilting. While you’re at it, julienne the carrots, slice the red bell pepper and green onions, and chop the cilantro. Prepping everything first makes assembling the Sesame Chicken Cabbage Salad a total breeze.

Step 2: Cook (or Shred) the Chicken

If you don’t have leftover cooked chicken, simply season a breast and sauté or poach it until just cooked through. Let it rest before shredding or slicing into thin pieces—this keeps the chicken juicy and tender instead of dry.

Step 3: Whisk Up the Sesame Dressing

In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey (or sugar), grated ginger, and minced garlic. Taste as you go, adjusting for your preferred level of sweetness and tang, then set aside so the flavors can mingle.

Step 4: Toast Sesame Seeds

Pour sesame seeds into a dry, hot skillet and toast them just until golden and fragrant, a minute or two. Watch closely—they burn fast! This tiny step adds so much depth to the finished salad.

Step 5: Assemble Sesame Chicken Cabbage Salad

Add the cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, green onions, cilantro, and chicken to a big bowl. Pour on the dressing and toss everything together until evenly coated. Sprinkle with the toasted sesame seeds right before serving for that perfect finishing touch.

How to Serve Sesame Chicken Cabbage Salad

Garnishes

When it comes to finishing off Sesame Chicken Cabbage Salad, a handful of fresh cilantro leaves, extra toasted sesame seeds, and perhaps a few sliced almonds or a squeeze of lime bring brightness and crunch that make each bite pop. Don’t skip these simple touches!

Side Dishes

This salad is a star on its own, but it loves a supporting cast—think fluffy jasmine rice, a bowl of miso soup, or even crispy wonton chips for a fun scoopable side. If you want to keep things light, pair it with fruit or edamame.

Creative Ways to Present

Elevate your Sesame Chicken Cabbage Salad by serving it in lettuce cups for a hand-held appetizer, or pile it high in a large, shallow bowl garnished with edible flowers for a dinner party wow-factor. Individual mason jars also make for adorable, portable lunches!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have extra Sesame Chicken Cabbage Salad, simply transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate. It’ll stay crisp and delicious for up to two days—the cabbage holds up surprisingly well, especially if you wait to dress it just before serving.

Freezing

While freezing isn’t recommended for this salad (cabbage and veggies tend to lose their crunch and become watery after thawing), you can freeze cooked, shredded chicken and the dressing separately, assembling everything with fresh produce when you’re ready.

Reheating

No reheating necessary for Sesame Chicken Cabbage Salad! In fact, it’s best served chilled or at room temperature. Just give leftovers a good toss to redistribute the dressing before enjoying.

FAQs

Can I use rotisserie chicken in this salad?

Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver and adds delicious flavor. Just shred or slice it and fold it right into the salad.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Sesame Chicken Cabbage Salad can be made gluten-free by swapping regular soy sauce for tamari or coconut aminos—just double-check all your ingredient labels to be safe.

Can I make it vegetarian or vegan?

You sure can! Replace chicken with crispy baked tofu or edamame, and use maple syrup instead of honey for a vegan twist that’s just as satisfying.

How far in advance can I make this salad?

You can prep all the veggies and chicken a day ahead; just keep the dressing separate and toss it all together right before serving to keep the veggies fresh and crunchy.

What other vegetables work well in this salad?

Don’t be afraid to get creative—a handful of snap peas, shredded purple cabbage, sliced cucumbers, or even some baby spinach make great additions to Sesame Chicken Cabbage Salad.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’re as excited to try this Sesame Chicken Cabbage Salad as I am to share it with you. Every bite bursts with textures and flavors that are hard to resist. Whether you need a bold weeknight dinner, something fresh for lunch, or a dish to impress at your next gathering, this salad never fails. Give it a whirl and let it earn a spot in your regular rotation!

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