Description
Crisp cabbage, tender chicken, colorful veggies, and a tangy sesame-ginger dressing come together in this fresh and flavorful Chinese Chicken Salad — a perfect balance of crunch, protein, and zesty sweetness.
Ingredients
- Cooked Chicken (shredded): 2 cups
- Green Cabbage (shredded): 3 cups
- Red Cabbage (shredded): 1 cup
- Carrots (julienned): 1 cup
- Red Bell Pepper (sliced): 1
- Green Onions (chopped): 3
- Cilantro Leaves: ½ cup
- Toasted Almonds or Cashews: ⅓ cup
- Crispy Chow Mein Noodles (optional): ½ cup
- Sesame Seeds (toasted): 1 tablespoon
Dressing:
- Soy Sauce: 3 tablespoons
- Rice Vinegar: 2 tablespoons
- Honey or Maple Syrup: 1 tablespoon
- Sesame Oil: 1 tablespoon
- Vegetable Oil: 2 tablespoons
- Fresh Ginger (grated): 1 teaspoon
- Garlic (minced): 1 clove
- Lime Juice: 1 tablespoon
- Salt and Pepper: To taste
Instructions
- Preheat Your Equipment: Toast almonds or sesame seeds in a dry skillet for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine chicken, cabbages, carrots, bell pepper, green onions, and cilantro.
- Prepare Your Cooking Vessel: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, vegetable oil, ginger, garlic, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble the Dish: Pour dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated.
- Cook to Perfection: (No cooking required — just great tossing!)
- Finishing Touches: Sprinkle with toasted almonds, sesame seeds, and crispy noodles if using.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve immediately or chill before serving for a refreshing bite.
Notes
- Keep dressing separate until serving to maintain crunch.
- Use tamari for a gluten-free option.
- Add mandarin oranges or avocado for variation.
- Dressing keeps up to 1 week in the fridge.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 65mg