Description

This vibrant Chinese Chicken Salad combines crisp Napa cabbage and iceberg lettuce with tender cooked chicken, fresh mandarin oranges, and crunchy toppings like chow mein noodles and sliced almonds. A flavorful homemade dressing featuring hoisin sauce, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame oil ties the salad together, making it a refreshing and satisfying meal perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner.

Ingredients

Salad

4 cups Napa cabbage, shredded
3 cups Iceberg lettuce, chopped
2 ½ cups cooked chicken, diced
1 cup carrots, julienned
11 oz. mandarin oranges, drained and patted dry
1/3 cup green onions, diced
½ cup chow mein noodles
½ cup crispy wonton strips
¼ cup sliced almonds
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

Dressing

2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons peanut oil (or substitute avocado, vegetable, or canola oil)
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon honey
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon peanut butter (optional)
¾ teaspoon toasted sesame seed oil
½ teaspoon ground ginger

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Instructions

Prepare Dressing: Combine all dressing ingredients—rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, peanut oil, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, peanut butter (if using), toasted sesame seed oil, and ground ginger—in a jar with a lid. Shake well until fully combined or blend briefly in a mini food processor for a smoother texture. Refrigerate the dressing while preparing the rest of the salad.
Assemble Salad: On a large platter or in a salad bowl, arrange the shredded Napa cabbage and chopped iceberg lettuce as the base. Drizzle with a portion of the prepared dressing to lightly coat the greens.
Add Toppings: Evenly distribute the diced cooked chicken, julienned carrots, drained mandarin oranges, and diced green onions over the dressed greens. Drizzle additional dressing as desired to enhance flavor.
Finish and Serve: Sprinkle the top of the salad with sliced almonds, chow mein noodles, crispy wonton strips, and toasted sesame seeds for added texture and crunch. Serve immediately with extra dressing on the side if preferred.

Notes

You can substitute cooked rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken for convenience.
For a vegetarian option, omit the chicken and add tofu or extra vegetables.
The peanut butter in the dressing is optional but adds creaminess and depth of flavor.
Ensure mandarin oranges are thoroughly drained to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
For a gluten-free version, use tamari or a gluten-free soy sauce and verify that chow mein noodles and wonton strips are gluten-free or omitted.