Description
A vibrant and refreshing Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad combining crunchy coleslaw mix, tender rotisserie chicken, toasted nuts, and a flavorful homemade sesame-ginger dressing. This quick and easy salad offers a delightful mix of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors perfect for a light lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 small bags of coleslaw mix (about 12 cups)
- 4 cups rotisserie chicken (finely chopped)
- 1 ½ cups toasted sliced almonds (or cashews)
- 1 ½ cups dried cranberries (such as Orange Cranberries)
- ¾ cup red onion (finely diced)
- 1 cup sesame sticks (optional)
- 1 ½ cups chopped cilantro
- 1–2 small cans mandarin oranges (drained, optional)
- ¼ cup black sesame seeds (or regular sesame seeds)
Dressing Ingredients
- 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar (regular or white)
- 4 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 3–4 cloves garlic (chopped)
- 4 Tbsp honey or brown sugar
- 4 Tbsp minced ginger
- 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 3 Tbsp water
Instructions
- Assemble Salad: In a large bowl, layer the coleslaw mix with finely chopped rotisserie chicken, toasted almonds or cashews, dried cranberries, finely diced red onion, sesame seeds, sesame sticks if using, and fresh chopped cilantro. Add the drained mandarin oranges if desired for an extra burst of sweetness.
- Prepare Dressing: In a blender, combine extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, low-sodium soy sauce, chopped garlic, honey or brown sugar, minced ginger, toasted sesame oil, and 3 tablespoons of water. Blend until the mixture is smooth and emulsified, creating a flavorful sesame-ginger dressing.
- Toss and Serve: Lightly pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture according to your preferred moisture level. Gently toss all ingredients to evenly coat with the dressing. Serve immediately or chill for a short time to let flavors meld.
Notes
- To toast sliced almonds or cashews, place them in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant.
- Sesame sticks add a nice crunch but can be omitted if unavailable or for a gluten-free version.
- For a vegan version, substitute chicken with chickpeas or tofu and use maple syrup instead of honey.
- Adjust dressing quantity to suit taste and preferred salad moistness.
- Leftovers can be stored refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days; add mandarin oranges fresh if possible to avoid sogginess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
