If there’s one salad that always delivers big flavor, color, and that irresistible crave-worthy crunch, it’s this Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe. Brimming with juicy shredded chicken, heaps of vibrant veggies, crisp cabbage, and the perfect sweet-savory sesame dressing, this is the kind of fresh meal that makes everyone go back for seconds. It’s my go-to whenever I need a healthy, protein-packed, truly satisfying lunch or light dinner—and I can almost guarantee it’ll be yours, too! Whether you’re hosting friends or prepping weekday meals, you’ll want this salad on repeat.

Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The best thing about this salad is how every ingredient earns its spot, from the tender chicken to the punchy ginger in the dressing. Simple, easy-to-find staples magically combine to create layers of taste and crunch that make this dish a standout.

Cooked shredded chicken breast: The main protein, bringing hearty substance and soaking up that amazing dressing—store-bought rotisserie makes it even quicker.
Napa cabbage: Mild, crisp, and tender, it forms the refreshing backbone of the salad.
Red cabbage: Adds a gorgeous pop of color and an extra crunch factor.
Shredded carrots: Sweet and vibrant, for a fresh flavor and pretty color.
Red bell pepper: Thinly sliced for juiciness, sweetness, and a rainbow look.
Green onions: Chopped for a mellow, zippy bite that brings the whole bowl to life.
Cilantro: Bright and herbal, tying all the flavors together beautifully—optional, but so worth it.
Sliced almonds (toasted): For that essential nutty crunch; a quick toast in the pan makes them extra flavorful.
Crunchy chow mein noodles: Salty, snappy, and just plain fun—sprinkle just before serving.
Sesame seeds (optional): A little sprinkle for nutty goodness and visual flair.
Rice vinegar: The tangy base of the dressing that brightens every bite.
Soy sauce: Lends backbone and that signature umami depth.
Sesame oil: Just a little goes a long way for bold, toasty aroma.
Honey: Balances out the tang and salt with gentle sweetness.
Olive oil: Creates a silky, luscious dressing texture.
Fresh ginger (grated): Adds a zesty punch—don’t skip it!
Garlic (minced): For big flavor in every bite.
Salt and pepper: Essential for making all the other flavors pop—taste and adjust to your liking.

How to Make Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe

Step 1: Toss the Main Salad Ingredients

In your largest salad bowl, layer in the shredded chicken, both cabbages, carrots, sliced red bell pepper, green onions, and cilantro. Use clean hands or big tongs to gently toss everything together. This step blends all those different colors and textures so every forkful bursts with crunch and flavor.

Step 2: Whisk Together the Dressing

Grab a small bowl or mason jar and add your rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, olive oil, grated ginger, minced garlic, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Whisk well or shake until creamy and fully combined. Pause for a quick taste—does it need a hint more soy or a dash more honey? Adjust as you see fit. That balance is the secret to a killer Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe dressing.

Step 3: Dress and Toss

Pour the tangy-sweet sesame dressing right over the salad mixture. Using tongs, gently toss everything until each strip of cabbage and every morsel of chicken is glistening with flavor. Don’t be afraid to toss a little longer so the veggies drink up that dressing—this makes all the difference.

Step 4: The Crunchy Toppings

At the very last minute, before serving, scatter the toasted almonds, crunchy chow mein noodles, and sesame seeds over the top. This keeps the toppings extra crisp, offering the golden moment when spoon hits crunchy salad. Dig in right away for maximum texture.

How to Serve Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe

Garnishes

Make your bowl beautiful by topping it with a few extra green onions, a snip of cilantro, and a final dusting of sesame seeds. For extra zing, try a quick squeeze of fresh lime or even a scatter of sliced chili for those who love a little heat.

Side Dishes

The Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe is a star on its own, but partners up brilliantly with simple sides like steamed jasmine rice, a bowl of miso soup, or crispy vegetable spring rolls. These make it a feel-good meal that’s just as great for a weeknight as for a crowd.

Creative Ways to Present

Embrace fun presentations! Serve the salad in lettuce cups for a dinner party, tuck it into whole-wheat wraps for a lunchbox treat, or layer it in pretty mason jars for grab-and-go lunches. The colors and textures are too lovely not to show off!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have extra, pop leftovers into an airtight container in the refrigerator. This salad will stay fresh for up to 2 days, though for best texture, keep the crunchy toppings separate and add them just before eating. The dressing continues to infuse the ingredients, making leftovers even more flavorful the next day.

Freezing

This is one of those recipes best enjoyed fresh, but if you must freeze, only freeze the shredded chicken separately. The veggies and dressing don’t hold up well in the freezer, as they’ll lose their signature crunch and flavor on thawing.

Reheating

No reheating required for the Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe! In fact, it’s best served chilled or at room temperature. If you do want to revive the chicken a bit, a quick zap in the microwave before assembling your salad works well, but keep the veggies and toppings cold and crisp.

FAQs

Can I use a different protein instead of chicken?

Absolutely! Try cooked shrimp, tofu, or even shredded rotisserie turkey for a fantastic twist. The flavors of the salad and dressing pair beautifully with all sorts of proteins, so feel free to get creative based on what you have.

Is it okay to make the dressing in advance?

Yes! The dressing can be made up to 3 days ahead and kept in a sealed container in the fridge. Just give it a good shake or stir before using since the oils may separate as it sits.

What can I substitute for chow mein noodles?

If you can’t find chow mein noodles, crispy wonton strips, broken pita chips, or even thinly sliced radishes will give you delicious crunch on top of your Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe.

How do I make this gluten-free?

Simply swap the soy sauce for a gluten-free tamari or coconut aminos and use gluten-free crunchy noodles. Everything else is naturally gluten-free, so it’s an easy adjustment!

Can the Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe be made vegetarian?

Definitely. Swap in cubes of baked tofu or hearty chickpeas for the chicken, and you’ll still get all the vibrant flavor and texture of the classic salad. It’s delicious as a vegetarian main or side.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something magical about the mix of flavors, textures, and that big crunchy bite of this Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe. It’s the kind of salad that’ll have you looking forward to leftovers and sharing the recipe with everyone who tastes it. Give it a go and watch it become one of your absolute favorites!

Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe

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4.5 from 27 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Chinese Chicken Salad is a colorful and flavorful dish that is perfect for a light and satisfying meal. Crisp vegetables, tender chicken, and a zesty dressing come together to create a delicious salad that is sure to impress.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad:

3 cups cooked shredded chicken breast
4 cups shredded Napa cabbage
1 cup shredded red cabbage
1 cup shredded carrots
1 red bell pepper (thinly sliced)
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 cup sliced almonds (toasted)
1/4 cup crunchy chow mein noodles
1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)

Dressing:

1/4 cup rice vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 clove garlic (minced)
Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

Prepare Salad: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, Napa cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, red bell pepper, green onions, and cilantro.
Make Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, olive oil, grated ginger, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
Toss Salad: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.
Finish and Serve: Top with toasted almonds, chow mein noodles, and sesame seeds just before serving for added crunch.