If you’re craving a combination of bright flavors, irresistible crunch, and the kind of satisfaction only a nourishing bowl can deliver, look no further than Chinese Chicken Salad. It’s the ultimate anytime dish, full of crisp veggies and tender chicken, made extra vibrant with a zingy homemade dressing you’ll want to drizzle on everything. Whether you’re serving it up for a quick lunch, meal prepping for the week, or impressing guests with something fresh and colorful, this salad is a reliable crowd-pleaser that feels as good as it tastes!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The best Chinese Chicken Salad starts with simple, fresh ingredients—each one bringing something special to the table. You’ll love how these essentials create a salad that’s savory, crunchy, and full of color.
- Cooked shredded chicken: Rotisserie or poached chicken works perfectly and makes prep a breeze while adding juicy protein.
- Napa cabbage: Its tender-crisp texture is the signature base; don’t skip it!
- Red cabbage: Offers vibrant color and an extra crunch that holds up well.
- Carrots: Shredded carrots bring just the right touch of sweetness and lovely color.
- Red bell pepper: Thinly sliced for a pop of juicy sweetness and a gorgeous contrast.
- Green onions: For a sharp, clean bite that brightens every forkful.
- Sliced almonds, toasted: These add a nutty crunch—toast them lightly for the best flavor.
- Crispy wonton strips or chow mein noodles: Just a handful delivers addictively crispy texture.
- Sesame seeds (optional): For extra toasty flavor and a pretty finish, definitely toss a few on top.
- Rice vinegar (for the dressing): This gives the dressing its signature tang and brightness.
- Soy sauce: Adds depth and the classic savory note.
- Honey: Just a touch rounds out the acidity with balanced sweetness.
- Toasted sesame oil: An absolute must for that hint of smoky, aromatic richness.
- Vegetable oil: Blends seamlessly into the dressing for a silky texture.
- Fresh ginger: Grated ginger wakes up the whole dish with subtle warmth.
- Garlic: One clove, finely minced, goes a long way to make the flavors pop.
- Salt and pepper: Just a pinch of each brings everything into tasty balance!
How to Make Chinese Chicken Salad
Step 1: Prep and Gather Ingredients
To start, gather all your salad ingredients and get your chopping board ready. Shred your cooked chicken, slice up the cabbage, carrots, red bell pepper, and green onions. Having everything prepped in advance makes the assembly super quick and ensures every bite is perfectly balanced.
Step 2: Whisk the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, toasted sesame oil, vegetable oil, grated ginger, minced garlic, and just a splash of salt and pepper. Stir it until the honey dissolves and everything becomes fragrant and shiny. That’s your magic elixir—it’s tangy, a little sweet, and absolutely packed with flavor!
Step 3: Mix the Salad
Now, in your biggest salad bowl, combine the shredded chicken, Napa and red cabbage, carrots, red bell pepper, and green onions. Pour the luscious dressing over the salad and toss gently but thoroughly. You want every strand coated—this is where all the flavors mingle and become greater than the sum of their parts!
Step 4: Add Crunchy Toppings
Top it all off with your toasted sliced almonds, crispy wonton strips or chow mein noodles, and, if you’re in the mood, a sprinkle of sesame seeds. These finishing touches are what transform a basic bowl into a Chinese Chicken Salad masterpiece with every bite tantalizingly crunchy!
Step 5: Serve and Savor
Serve up your salad right away, ideally in wide, shallow bowls so everyone gets some of that good stuff on top. If you’re prepping ahead, hold off on adding the dressing and crunchy bits until right before serving for the freshest texture and flavor.
How to Serve Chinese Chicken Salad
Garnishes
The beauty of Chinese Chicken Salad is in those last little flourishes: a scatter of extra green onions or chives, a dash more sesame seeds, or even a few cilantro leaves if you have them. These final garnishes not only add flavor but make your salad look utterly enticing and fresh from a restaurant kitchen.
Side Dishes
This salad can shine on its own for lunch or as a light dinner, but you can pair it with sides like steamed dumplings, a cup of miso or hot-and-sour soup, or even some chilled edamame. If you’re feeding a crowd, a simple bowl of fresh fruit or a side of jasmine rice rounds things out deliciously without overpowering those bold salad flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Get playful with your plating! Serve Chinese Chicken Salad in lettuce cups for a fun party appetizer or pile it high on a platter surrounded by crunchy veggie sticks. For meal prep, layer everything minus the crunchy bits into mason jars—just shake and add toppings when you’re ready to dig in for a perfect grab-and-go lunch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftovers, store the undressed salad and dressing separately in airtight containers in the fridge. This keeps the veggies crisp and the flavors bold. The chicken and veg will stay fresh for up to 2-3 days, while the dressing can last a week easily.
Freezing
Freezing isn’t ideal for Chinese Chicken Salad because the veggies will lose their crunch and texture when thawed. However, the shredded chicken on its own can be frozen for up to three months and thawed as needed to speed up prep time next time you get the salad craving.
Reheating
Since this salad is meant to be enjoyed cold and fresh, reheating isn’t necessary. If you’re using previously frozen chicken, just let it come to room temperature before mixing into your salad so everything tastes bright and refreshing.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought rotisserie chicken?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a delicious, timesaving shortcut and adds loads of flavor and juiciness to your Chinese Chicken Salad. Just shred it up and you’re good to go.
What vegetables can I substitute if I can’t find Napa cabbage?
If Napa cabbage isn’t available, you can use regular green cabbage or even a combination of iceberg lettuce and romaine for a similar crunch and mild flavor. The key is to keep things fresh and crunchy.
Is this salad gluten-free?
It can be! Swap out regular soy sauce for a gluten-free alternative like tamari and use gluten-free crispy toppings. The salad itself is naturally dairy-free as written.
Can I make the dressing ahead of time?
Yes, the homemade dressing keeps beautifully for up to a week in the fridge. Just give it a good shake or whisk before using, and you’ll always have fresh flavor ready to go.
What protein can I use instead of chicken?
If you want to mix things up, try grilled shrimp, thinly sliced steak, or cubes of baked tofu instead of chicken. The real star here is the tangy dressing and the veggie crunch, and they pair well with almost any protein!
Final Thoughts
This Chinese Chicken Salad is a burst of color, flavor, and texture you just have to experience for yourself. It’s comforting yet light, easy enough for a speedy weeknight meal, and special enough for sharing. I can’t wait for you to try it—and once you do, I have a feeling you’ll be making it on repeat!
Print
Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 2–3 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Chinese Chicken Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish that combines tender shredded chicken with crisp vegetables and a savory dressing. Topped with crunchy almonds and wonton strips, it’s a perfect balance of textures and flavors.
Ingredients
Salad:
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie or poached)
- 4 cups shredded Napa cabbage
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
- 1/4 cup crispy wonton strips or chow mein noodles
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
For the dressing:
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, Napa and red cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, and green onions.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well to coat.
- Top with toasted almonds, wonton strips or noodles, and sesame seeds if using.
- Serve immediately.
In a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, vegetable oil, ginger, garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper until well blended.
Notes
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in a bit of the dressing before assembling.
- This salad is great for meal prep—just keep the dressing and crunchy toppings separate until ready to serve.
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