This Chinese Chicken Salad is fresh, crunchy, and packed with flavor! It features tender chicken, crisp veggies, and a tangy dressing that ties everything together.
Honestly, it’s one of my favorite ways to enjoy salad. I love adding some crunchy noodles on top for that extra pop! Who doesn’t love a little crunch? 🥗
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Cooked Shredded Chicken: Rotisserie chicken is my top choice because it’s flavorful and saves time. If you’re looking for an alternative, shredded turkey or grilled chicken breast work great too. You can also use leftover chicken from previous meals!
Napa Cabbage: Napa cabbage adds a nice crunch, but if you can’t find it, regular green cabbage is a fine substitute. Just remember it has a bit more bite, so you might want to slice it thinner.
Cilantro: Fresh cilantro gives a wonderful brightness. If you’re not a fan, parsley or even green onions can provide a fresh flavor without the strong taste of cilantro.
Nuts: Peanuts or cashews add a satisfying crunch. If you have allergies, sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds are excellent alternatives. Just make sure to check if they are roasted for the added flavor!
Mandarin Oranges: These sweet bites add a lovely contrast. Canned peaches or pineapple chunks work well too if you’re in a pinch.
How Do You Make a Flavorful Dressing?
The dressing is key to bringing this salad together! Start with soy sauce for saltiness, and balance it with rice vinegar for acidity. Combine these with sesame oil for nuttiness.
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil first.
- Add honey or sugar—this can be adjusted based on how sweet you like it.
- Don’t forget the ginger and garlic, which give great flavor! Grate the ginger finely for even distribution.
Let it sit for a minute before drizzling over the salad; this lets the flavors mingle beautifully. Happy mixing!
How to Make Chinese Chicken Salad
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Salad:
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works well)
- 4 cups shredded Napa cabbage
- 2 cups shredded carrots
- 1 cup sugar snap peas, thinly sliced
- 1 cup roasted peanuts or cashews, roughly chopped
- 1 can (11 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
- 1/4 cup crispy fried shallots (optional for garnish)
For the Dressing:
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon honey or sugar
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delicious Chinese Chicken Salad will take you about 20 minutes to prepare. This includes the time to chop all your fresh ingredients and mix everything together. Quick and easy to whip up for lunch or dinner!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prep the Salad Ingredients:
Start by gathering all your fresh ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the cooked shredded chicken, Napa cabbage, shredded carrots, sliced sugar snap peas, chopped roasted peanuts or cashews, drained mandarin oranges, fresh cilantro, and sliced green onions. Give it a gentle stir to mix everything together.
2. Make the Dressing:
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey (or sugar), grated ginger, and minced garlic. Mix until all the ingredients are well combined and the dressing is smooth.
3. Combine Dressing with Salad:
Drizzle the dressing over the salad mixture in the large bowl. Toss everything gently to ensure the dressing is evenly distributed across all the ingredients. Be careful not to break up the mandarin oranges too much!
4. Allow the Flavors to Meld:
Let the salad sit for about 10 minutes. This will give the flavors some time to come together and really shine. After 10 minutes, give it one more gentle toss to mix everything before serving.
5. Serve and Enjoy:
Serve the salad in bowls topped with crispy fried shallots and a sprinkle of sesame seeds if you like. Enjoy your colorful, refreshing Chinese Chicken Salad immediately—perfect for any meal!
Can I Use Different Types of Chicken?
Absolutely! While rotisserie chicken is convenient and flavorful, you can use any cooked chicken. Grilled, baked, or poached chicken breasts work great too. Just make sure the chicken is shredded or chopped into bite-sized pieces for easy mixing.
Can I Make This Salad in Advance?
Yes, but it’s best to keep the dressing separate if you’re preparing it ahead of time. Assemble the salad without the dressing and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to serve, drizzle with the dressing, toss, and enjoy! This helps maintain the freshness of the veggies.
What Can I Substitute for Sugar Snap Peas?
If sugar snap peas aren’t available, you can use snow peas or even thinly sliced bell peppers for crunch. Just make sure any substitutions are cut into similar sizes to maintain even textures in the salad.
How Should I Store Leftover Salad?
To store leftovers, place the salad (without dressing) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. If you’ve already added the dressing, it’s best to finish it within a day as the vegetables will lose their crunch. You can always add fresh toppings like peanuts or crispy shallots when you’re ready to serve again!
