What kind of chicken works best in Asian Chicken Salad?

You can use rotisserie chicken , grilled chicken breasts, poached chicken, or even leftover roasted chicken. The key is that the meat is cooked, shredded or chopped, and well-seasoned. Rotisserie chicken is especially convenient and flavorful for quick prep.

Can I make Asian Chicken Salad ahead of time?

Yes! To keep the salad fresh and crisp, store the dressing separately and combine it with the salad just before serving. The salad base (greens, chicken, etc.) can be portioned into airtight containers and refrigerated for 3–4 days, making it ideal for meal prep .

Is this salad gluten-free?

It can be! To make this a gluten-free Asian Chicken Salad , simply replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos and use gluten-free crunchy toppings or skip the chow mein noodles altogether. Always check labels to ensure there are no hidden sources of gluten.

Asian Chicken Salad – Best Crunchy Recipe

Name: Asian Chicken Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 1/3 cup sliced almonds: toasted for crunch and nutty flavor; 1 tablespoon sesame seeds: toasted to enhance aroma; 12 ounces coleslaw mix: provides crunchy cabbage and carrots; 2 cups green leaf lettuce: adds soft texture and freshness; 1/2 cup chopped cilantro: gives a fresh herbaceous taste; 1-2 green onions, thinly sliced: adds mild sharpness and freshness; 2 cups chopped cooked chicken: provides lean protein; 1/2 cup mandarin oranges, drained: adds juicy sweetness; 1/3 cup chow mein noodles: adds crispy crunch; 1/4 cup olive oil: base for dressing; 1/4 cup rice vinegar: provides tangy acidity; 2 tablespoons honey: balances dressing with sweetness; 1 tablespoon soy sauce: adds umami and saltiness; 1 teaspoon sesame oil: adds nutty aroma; 1 clove garlic, grated: enhances flavor depth; 1.5 inch knob fresh ginger, grated: adds zing and warmth; 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes: optional, adds mild heat

Description

This Asian Chicken Salad is a light yet satisfying dish featuring shredded chicken, crunchy cabbage, mandarin oranges, almonds, and chow mein noodles, all tossed in a homemade ginger dressing. Perfect for lunch, meal prep, or a fresh dinner option.

Ingredients

Scale

1/3 cup sliced almonds: toasted for crunch and nutty flavor
1 tablespoon sesame seeds: toasted to enhance aroma
12 ounces coleslaw mix: provides crunchy cabbage and carrots
2 cups green leaf lettuce: adds soft texture and freshness
1/2 cup chopped cilantro: gives a fresh herbaceous taste
1-2 green onions, thinly sliced: adds mild sharpness and freshness
2 cups chopped cooked chicken: provides lean protein
1/2 cup mandarin oranges, drained: adds juicy sweetness
1/3 cup chow mein noodles: adds crispy crunch
1/4 cup olive oil: base for dressing
1/4 cup rice vinegar: provides tangy acidity
2 tablespoons honey: balances dressing with sweetness
1 tablespoon soy sauce: adds umami and saltiness
1 teaspoon sesame oil: adds nutty aroma
1 clove garlic, grated: enhances flavor depth
1.5 inch knob fresh ginger, grated: adds zing and warmth
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes: optional, adds mild heat

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Instructions

Heat a dry skillet over medium-low heat. Add the sliced almonds and sesame seeds. Toast for about 5 minutes, stirring often until golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the coleslaw mix, green leaf lettuce, chopped cilantro, sliced green onions, and cooked chicken. Toss well.
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, rice vinegar, honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, grated garlic, grated ginger, and red pepper flakes until emulsified.
Pour the dressing over the salad mixture. Toss thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
Top the salad with drained mandarin oranges and crunchy chow mein noodles.
Serve immediately for best texture. If preparing ahead, store the dressing separately and combine just before serving.

Notes

Use rotisserie chicken for quick prep and added flavor.
Store salad and dressing separately for meal prep; keeps well for up to 4 days.
Substitute chow mein noodles with wonton strips if preferred.
Add extra vegetables like bell pepper or snow peas for more crunch and color.
Use a Microplane for best results when grating garlic and ginger.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Category: Lunch, Main Course, Salad
Method: Tossed, No Cook (except toasting)
Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 salad (approx. 2.5 cups)
Calories: 390
Sugar: 10g
Sodium: 480mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 17g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 25g
Cholesterol: 60mg