Chinese-Inspired Chicken Salad

Crisp, colorful, and bursting with savory-sweet flavor, this Chinese-Inspired Chicken Salad delivers a symphony of textures and tastes in every bite. The combination of tender chicken, crunchy vegetables, and zesty Asian-inspired dressing creates a refreshing yet satisfying meal that works perfectly for lunch or dinner. This Chinese-Inspired Chicken Salad transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience that’s both nutritious and delicious. You’ll learn how to balance flavors, prep ingredients efficiently, and create a restaurant-quality salad that’s destined to become a family favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Chinese-Inspired Chicken Salad stands out from ordinary salads with its perfect balance of textures and flavors. The contrast between crisp cabbage, tender chicken, and juicy orange segments creates an exciting mouthfeel with every forkful. What makes this Asian chicken salad special is how it combines protein-packed ingredients with fresh, vibrant produce for a nutritionally complete meal.

The dressing brings everything together with its harmonious blend of nutty sesame oil, tangy rice vinegar, and savory coconut aminos that elevates all the components. Unlike heavy restaurant versions, this homemade salad keeps things light while delivering maximum flavor.

Best of all, this recipe is incredibly versatile. Serve it as a light lunch, bring it to potlucks, or add it alongside grilled meats for dinner. The make-ahead friendly components mean you can prep ingredients in advance for quick assembly whenever hunger strikes. Whether you’re meal prepping or hosting friends, this chicken cabbage salad delivers impressive results with minimal effort.

Ingredients List for the Chinese-Inspired Chicken Salad

This ingredient list combines fresh, crisp vegetables with protein-rich chicken and a balanced Asian-inspired dressing that perfectly complements the salad components.

For the Salad:
3 cups thinly sliced Napa or green cabbage
1 cup thinly sliced red cabbage

• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 cup sugar snap peas, thinly sliced
• 3 green onions, white and green parts, thinly sliced
• 2 ½ cups cooked, shredded chicken (12 ounces cooked)
• 1 cup orange segments (use a 12- to 15-ounce can of mandarin oranges in 100% juice, drained well, or supreme an orange, or cut fresh orange segments into chunks)
• 1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, stems removed, leaves roughly chopped
• ⅓ cup slivered or sliced almonds, toasted
• Optional: Black and/or white sesame seeds for garnish

For the Dressing:

• ¼ cup unseasoned rice vinegar
• 3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil

3 tablespoons coconut aminos*

• 2 tablespoons avocado oil or extra-virgin olive oil
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder

Pro Tips

Master the Cabbage Prep: For the best Chinese-Inspired Chicken Salad, slice your cabbage ultra-thin using a sharp knife or mandoline. The thinner your cabbage, the more it will absorb the dressing and create that perfect texture. For efficiency, you can use pre-shredded cabbage, but taking the extra few minutes to hand-slice produces superior results.

Perfect Your Protein: While rotisserie chicken works beautifully as a time-saver, try poaching chicken breasts in ginger-infused water for extra flavor that complements this Asian-style salad. Allow the chicken to cool completely before shredding to prevent wilting the salad greens when combined.

Dress for Success: For the most flavorful Chinese-Inspired Chicken Salad, mix your dressing ingredients at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld. However, only pour the dressing over the salad immediately before serving to maintain the crisp texture of the vegetables. If making ahead, store the dressing separately and combine at the last minute.

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine cabbage, carrots, sugar snap peas, green onions, and cooked chicken. Toss well to combine.

Step 2: In a small bowl or jar combine all of the dressing ingredients. Whisk or shake well to combine. Pour over salad just before serving.

Step 3: Gently stir in oranges, cilantro, and toasted almonds. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, if desired.

Variations

Vegetarian Version: Transform this Chinese-Inspired Chicken Salad into a plant-based delight by substituting the chicken with crispy baked tofu or tempeh. Marinate your protein alternative in a mixture of coconut aminos, sesame oil, and ginger before baking until golden for a flavorful meat-free option that maintains the protein content of the original.

Spicy Twist: For heat lovers, amp up the flavor profile by adding 1-2 teaspoons of sriracha or chili oil to the dressing. You can also incorporate thinly sliced fresh jalapeños or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to give your Chinese-Inspired Chicken Salad a pleasant kick that balances beautifully with the sweet orange segments.

Keto-Friendly Adaptation: Make this salad keto-compatible by omitting the orange segments and replacing them with avocado chunks for healthy fats. You can also increase the almonds and add a tablespoon of sugar-free sweetener to the dressing to maintain that sweet-savory balance without the added carbs.

Storage and Serving

This Chinese-Inspired Chicken Salad is best enjoyed immediately after assembly, but you can prep components ahead of time for quick meals throughout the week. Store the undressed salad ingredients (except cilantro and oranges) in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep the dressing separate in a jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, giving it a good shake before using.

For the perfect presentation, serve this vibrant salad in a large shallow bowl that showcases all the colorful ingredients. Pair it with crispy wonton strips or spring rolls for an Asian-inspired feast. This salad also makes an excellent filling for lettuce wraps – simply spoon the mixture into butter lettuce leaves for a fun hand-held option.

For a complete meal, serve alongside steamed rice or quinoa to add a hearty grain component. The bright flavors in this Chinese-Inspired Chicken Salad pair beautifully with a chilled white wine like Riesling or an aromatic jasmine tea.

FAQs

Can I make this Chinese-Inspired Chicken Salad ahead of time?
Yes, but for best results, store the components separately. Prep the vegetables and chicken and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Make the dressing separately and combine everything just before serving to maintain the crispness of the vegetables.

What can I substitute for coconut aminos?
You can use low-sodium soy sauce or tamari as a direct replacement for coconut aminos. If using regular soy sauce, reduce the amount to 2 tablespoons to prevent the dressing from becoming too salty.

Is this salad gluten-free?
Yes, this Chinese-Inspired Chicken Salad is naturally gluten-free as written, provided you use coconut aminos. If substituting with soy sauce, verify it’s a gluten-free variety.

How can I add more protein to this salad?
For additional protein, consider adding edamame beans, a soft-boiled egg, or increasing the chicken to 3 cups. You could also incorporate some quinoa for a plant-based protein boost.

What’s the best way to toast almonds?
Toast almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently until golden and fragrant. Alternatively, spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5-8 minutes. Watch them closely as they can burn quickly!

This fresh and vibrant Chinese-Inspired Chicken Salad brings together crisp vegetables, tender chicken, and a tangy Asian dressing for a meal that’s as nutritious as it is delicious. Whether you’re looking for a light lunch option or a crowd-pleasing potluck dish, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with simple home cooking techniques. The balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors makes this Chinese-Inspired Chicken Salad a standout dish you’ll want to make again and again.

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