This Chinese Chicken Salad is packed with crisp lettuce, cabbage, carrots, sweet mandarin oranges, crunchy almonds, and cilantro, all mixed together with a tasty ginger-sesame vinaigrette!
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Let’s discuss my favorite salad of all time, shall we? This crispy and delightful Chinese chicken salad recipe draws inspiration from all the salads I adore to order whenever we dine out. If you’ve tried Cheesecake Factory’s Chinese chicken salad, you know precisely what I’m talking about…DELICIOUS. This salad is filled with all your favorites and the Asian dressing enhances everything tremendously!
Why You’ll Adore This
- This salad is hugely popular and incredibly easy to prepare in only 15 minutes!
- Can be conveniently prepped ahead for quick assembly.
- Tastes far better (and is more economical) than ordering take-out, plus it’s a much healthier choice.
- Great for lunches or dinner as this salad is really filling, but it also makes an excellent side dish!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- chicken – I prefer using rotisserie chicken for its speed, ease, and amazing flavor! You could also opt for cubed chicken breasts, leftover shredded chicken, or even canned chicken.
- romaine lettuce – crunchy romaine lettuce is my total favorite, but iceberg lettuce or additional cabbage would also work.
- cabbage – I enjoy using a combination of napa cabbage and red cabbage, but you could use standard cabbage or stick with all lettuce.
- carrots – I always julienne my carrots for salads, though you can also grate them or buy pre-cut matchstick carrots for convenience!
- mandarin oranges – I typically use canned mandarin oranges (ensure they’re in 100% juice), but you can also chop fresh oranges.
- cilantro and green onions – for flavor and lovely pops of color.
- almonds – I used sliced almonds in this recipe for added crunch, but feel free to substitute with cashews or peanuts if you prefer!
Utilize your crock pot or Instant Pot to prepare the most flavorful, tender shredded chicken! Just add your chicken breasts to the pot, pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth along with some salt and pepper, then switch it on!
Ingredients for Ginger-Sesame Dressing
- olive oil – I prefer a quality olive oil that doesn’t have to break the bank; just ensure it’s cold-pressed and organic for optimum flavor (in my view). Avocado oil or vegetable oil would suffice as well.
- sesame oil – infuses the dressing with a delicious nutty flavor.
- soy sauce – I always select low-sodium soy sauce as regular soy sauce can make this dressing excessively salty. You could also substitute soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to keep it gluten-free or paleo.
- rice vinegar – adds a lovely tangy flavor and zest to the salad. You could also utilize apple cider vinegar or champagne vinegar.
- honey – introduces a touch of sweetness to the dressing without refined sugars. You can also swap the honey with maple syrup if you lack honey.
- garlic + ginger – fresh garlic and ginger are definitely preferable!
How to Prepare Ginger-Sesame Dressing
You’ve likely encountered this recipe multiple times on my blog, as this dressing is an absolute essential in our kitchen! It’s a delectable mix of soy sauce, garlic, fresh ginger, honey, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, and olive oil. I tend to stick with lower sodium soy sauce since I find regular soy sauce too salty, but feel free to use what you have. You could also swap soy sauce for coconut aminos or tamari if you need it to be gluten-free or paleo.
This ginger-sesame dressing will keep for about a week in your fridge, so you can make it ahead of time! I prefer storing my dressing in mason jars since they have a tight closure, and you can just shake the jar to mix it. I always prepare a large batch of dressing and store it in my fridge for when I’m craving this salad. Just ensure to dress the salad just before serving so your vegetables remain crisp and fresh.
Make a bit extra ginger-sesame dressing to marinate your chicken for even more flavor in this salad!
Can this Salad be Prepared in Advance?
Definitely! In fact, I enjoy prepping everything ahead, allowing me to effortlessly bring this salad together for a quick lunch or as a delightful side with my dinner. To keep the lettuce and cabbage fresh and avoid wilting, I like to store everything in separate containers until I’m ready to combine and toss.
- Keep the mandarin oranges in a sealed container in the fridge; pre-slice the carrots and green onions, storing them in a sealed bag or container.
- Shred some cooked rotisserie chicken (or use any other leftover chicken you might have) and store it separately in the fridge.
- Mix the ingredients for the sesame ginger dressing and keep it in a sealed mason jar in the fridge. Just before serving, let the dressing sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes to allow the oil to liquefy, then give the dressing a good shake or whisk to blend everything. The dressing for the Chinese chicken salad will last up to a week in the fridge.
Other Additions
- Incorporate more veggies like red bell pepper strips, snap peas, slices of cucumber, shredded zucchini, or even asparagus.
- Vary the protein by using shrimp, salmon, or even ground pork, turkey, or chicken.
- Go meatless by using tofu (strongly recommend marinating it in some dressing!) or leaving the protein out entirely.
- Make this salad more substantial by adding your favorite noodles like soba noodles, ramen noodles, or even lo mein.
Prepping and Storage
This Asian chicken salad will remain fresh for up to 2 to 3 days when stored in a sealed, airtight container in the fridge.
How to Tailor this Salad to Your Diet
- Gluten-Free – just replace the soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos
- Nut-Free – omit the almonds and add a satisfying crunch with wonton strips or chow mein noodles
- Paleo – substitute soy sauce with coconut aminos
- Keto/Low Carb – replace honey with Swerve sweetener (or any keto sweetener you prefer) and leave out the mandarin oranges
- Whole 30 – swap soy sauce for coconut aminos and instead of honey, try adding a little juice from the mandarin oranges for sweetness!
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More Salads You’ll Enjoy
I hope you all savor this Chinese Chicken Salad, and if you love it as much as we do, please leave me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram using the hashtag #eatyourselfskinny! I love seeing all your delicious recreations!
For the Ginger-Sesame Dressing:
- To prepare the dressing, mix all ingredients in a small jar with a tight lid and shake vigorously until well combined. I also use this jar to keep any leftover dressing for the week.
To create the salad, place all ingredients in a large bowl and toss to combine.
Drizzle the salad with ginger-sesame dressing and mix thoroughly until everything is coated. Garnish with sesame seeds, serve, and enjoy!
Calories: 289kcal | Carbohydrates: 19.9g | Protein: 15.7g | Fat: 17.2g | Saturated Fat: 3.1g | Sodium: 225mg | Fiber: 3.6g | Sugar: 12.8g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
**Asian-Style Chicken Salad with Mandarin Oranges and Crispy Noodles: A Flavorful Fusion**
Asian-Style Chicken Salad with Mandarin Oranges and Crispy Noodles is a delightful dish that combines various textures and flavors, offering a refreshing and satisfying meal. This salad is not only visually enticing but is also loaded with nutrients, making it a fantastic option for a light lunch or a vibrant dinner.
**Ingredients and Preparation**
The essential ingredients of this salad include tender chicken breast, juicy mandarin oranges, and crispy noodles, each contributing to the dish’s distinct taste and texture. The chicken is typically grilled or poached to retain its juiciness and then sliced into bite-sized pieces. Mandarin oranges, whether fresh or canned, lend a sweet and tangy flavor that complements the savory elements of the salad.
Crispy noodles, usually made from fried wonton strips or rice noodles, add a delightful crunch. These noodles can be prepared at home or bought pre-made for convenience. Additional ingredients often feature mixed greens such as romaine lettuce, napa cabbage, or spinach, which serve as the salad’s base. Other frequent additions include shredded carrots, sliced bell peppers, and green onions, enhancing the salad’s color and nutrient content.
**Dressing and Flavor Profile**
The dressing is a critical part of the Asian-Style Chicken Salad, typically incorporating a mix of soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and a touch of honey or brown sugar for sweetness. Some variations may contain ginger, garlic, or chili flakes for extra depth and spice. This dressing brings together all the ingredients, offering a balanced blend of sweet, salty, and tangy flavors.
**Nutritional Benefits**
This salad is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients. Chicken is an excellent source of lean protein, necessary for muscle repair and growth. Mandarin oranges are rich in vitamin C, bolstering immune health, while the mixed greens provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The addition of vegetables like bell peppers and carrots contributes antioxidants and further boosts the salad’s nutritional profile.
**Serving Suggestions**
Asian-Style Chicken Salad with Mandarin Oranges and Crispy Noodles can be enjoyed as a standalone dish or paired with other Asian-inspired meals such as spring rolls or miso soup. For those looking to add more substance, consider topping the salad with sliced almonds or sesame seeds for additional crunch and flavor.
**Conclusion**
This salad is a versatile recipe that can be easily customized to accommodate personal preferences or dietary restrictions. Whether you’re in search of a quick, healthy meal or a dish to impress guests, the Asian-Style Chicken Salad with Mandarin Oranges and Crispy Noodles is a flavorful and nutritious option that embodies the essence of Asian cuisine.