Chinese Chicken Salad is the unbeatable blend of freshness, crunch, and zing that comes together in less time than it takes to order takeout. This colorful medley of tender chicken, crisp vegetables, and an irresistible tangy-sweet sesame dressing will make your taste buds dance. Whether you’re looking for a light weeknight dinner, an easy meal prep option, or a vibrant potluck centerpiece, this salad brings satisfying flavors and gorgeous crunch to the table every single time.

Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The best part about Chinese Chicken Salad is how everyday ingredients come together to make something extraordinary. Every single element in this recipe plays a role—adding juiciness, crunch, rich flavor, or bright color. Here’s what you’ll need and why you’ll love having them in your bowl.

Cooked, shredded chicken breast (3 cups): Rotisserie chicken is perfect for saving time, but any mild, juicy chicken will shine in this salad.
Shredded Napa cabbage (4 cups): Softer and leafier than green cabbage, it soaks up dressing beautifully and adds crispness.
Shredded red cabbage (1 cup): For a pretty pop of color and extra crunch with every bite.
Shredded carrots (1 cup): The sweetness and vibrant orange hue make the salad irresistible to the eye and palate.
Red bell pepper, thinly sliced (1): Adds a hint of bright sweetness and a rainbow effect.
Sliced green onions (1/2 cup): These give a fresh, gentle onion flavor that ties everything together.
Chopped cilantro (1/4 cup): Infuses each bite with an aromatic, herbaceous kick.
Crunchy chow mein noodles or wonton strips (1/2 cup): The ultimate crispy topping—don’t skip it if you love crunch!
Sliced toasted almonds (1/4 cup): Adds nutty flavor and toasty crunch that instantly elevates the salad.
Sesame seeds (2 tablespoons, optional): Sprinkle on for extra toasty flavor and visual flair.
Rice vinegar (1/4 cup): Brings a bright, tangy punch to the dressing that wakes up every other ingredient.
Soy sauce (2 tablespoons): Adds savory depth and balances out the acidity in the dressing.
Sesame oil (1 tablespoon): A little goes a long way toward nutty, toasty flavor in the dressing.
Honey or maple syrup (2 tablespoons): Just enough sweetness to play off the tang and saltiness.
Fresh ginger, grated (1 tablespoon): Gives the dressing unmistakable warmth and zing.
Garlic, minced (1 clove): Packs a punch and rounds out the bold flavors.
Neutral oil (1/3 cup, like avocado or vegetable): Helps the dressing turn silky and coats the salad evenly.
Salt and pepper: Just a pinch or two makes everything in the bowl pop.

How to Make Chinese Chicken Salad

Step 1: Prep Your Veggies and Chicken

Start by making sure all your produce is washed, dried, and ready to go. Shred both cabbages finely—aim for ribbons that offer a pleasant, crisp bite. Thinly slice your carrots and red bell pepper, and chop the green onions and cilantro for extra color and flavor. Using pre-cooked chicken is a huge time-saver here; just shred or chop it into bite-sized pieces.

Step 2: Make the Dressing

In a separate bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey or maple syrup, grated fresh ginger, minced garlic, and your neutral oil. Don’t rush this step—the more thoroughly you whisk, the silkier and more flavorful your dressing will be. Taste and season with a pinch of salt and pepper, adjusting the balance to your liking.

Step 3: Toss the Salad

In a large mixing bowl, combine your shredded chicken, both cabbages, carrots, bell pepper, green onions, and cilantro. Drizzle your handmade dressing evenly across the veggies and chicken, then toss everything together well to ensure every forkful gets a hit of that delicious tangy-sesame flavor. This is where the magic happens—the dressing brings the salad together into a harmonious, crave-worthy bowl.

Step 4: Add Crunchy Toppings

Just before serving, scatter the chow mein noodles or wonton strips on top, followed by the toasted almonds and optional sesame seeds. This final step guarantees every bite of Chinese Chicken Salad has pops of crunchy, toasty joy.

How to Serve Chinese Chicken Salad

Garnishes

Finish your Chinese Chicken Salad with extra sliced green onions, a few whole cilantro leaves, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for that “wow” factor. These simple garnishes don’t just elevate the look—they add extra layers of flavor and fragrance.

Side Dishes

This salad is wonderfully hearty all on its own, but it gets along famously with sides like steamed jasmine rice, spring rolls, or a bowl of miso soup. If you want to serve a larger family-style meal, try pairing with ginger-scallion noodles or a tray of baked potstickers.

Creative Ways to Present

For an unforgettable potluck display, arrange colorful layers of the salad in a clear glass bowl so guests can admire the vibrant stripes before tossing. Or, serve in individual lettuce cups for a fun, pick-up-and-eat appetizer. Chinese Chicken Salad also makes a delightful wrap in flour tortillas or rice paper for something different!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you end up with leftovers, store the salad and its toppings separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to three days. Keeping the crunchy noodles and almonds apart prevents them from getting soggy and preserves that essential crunch.

Freezing

It’s best not to freeze Chinese Chicken Salad—cabbage and other veggies lose their wonderful texture once frozen and thawed. However, the dressing can be frozen in a tightly sealed jar for up to a month; just thaw and give it a good shake before using.

Reheating

This dish is designed to be enjoyed cold or at room temperature, so reheating isn’t necessary (and can wilt the fresh veggies). If you’d like to freshen up leftovers, add a squeeze of fresh lime and an extra handful of crunchy toppings right before serving.

FAQs

Can I make Chinese Chicken Salad vegetarian?

Absolutely! Just swap the shredded chicken for cubed baked tofu, edamame, or chickpeas. The dressing and crunchy toppings will still make it crave-worthy.

How far in advance can I prep the salad?

You can shred all your veggies and mix the dressing a day in advance. Store everything separately, and toss together with the toppings right before serving for maximum freshness and crunch.

What can I substitute for Napa cabbage?

If you can’t find Napa cabbage, regular green cabbage or even romaine lettuce works well. Napa is especially tender and absorbs dressing more easily, but other greens will also shine in this recipe.

Are there gluten-free options for this salad?

Yes! Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce, and look for gluten-free chow mein noodles or omit them and use roasted peanuts or extra almonds for crunch.

How do I keep the salad crunchy for meal prep?

The key is to store the dressing and the crunchy toppings (noodles and almonds) separately from the vegetables and chicken. Toss it all together just before eating to keep everything crisp and fresh.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been craving something light, vibrant, and loaded with flavor, you need to give this Chinese Chicken Salad a spot in your regular meal rotation. It’s versatile, bursting with texture, and guaranteed to disappear fast at any table. Give it a try and see why it’s always a crowd-pleaser!

Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 12 reviews

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

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Description

A refreshing and flavorful Chinese Chicken Salad, featuring a mix of tender shredded chicken, crunchy veggies, and a zesty dressing. Topped with crispy noodles and almonds, this salad is a perfect balance of textures and flavors.

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 sliced green onions
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1/2 cup crunchy chow mein noodles or wonton strips
1/4 cup sliced almonds (toasted)
2 tablespoons sesame seeds (optional)

Dressing:

1/4 cup rice vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1 clove garlic (minced)
1/3 cup neutral oil (like avocado or vegetable)
Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

Prepare Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, Napa cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, green onions, and cilantro.
Make Dressing: Whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, ginger, garlic, and neutral oil until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
Toss Salad: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well to coat.
Finish: Before serving, top with crunchy noodles, almonds, and sesame seeds. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

This salad is great for meal prep—keep the dressing and toppings separate until ready to serve for the best crunch.
Rotisserie chicken can be used to save time.
For added flavor and color, consider adding mandarin oranges or edamame.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: Asian-Inspired