Chinese Chicken Salad
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
25 mins
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Total Time
25 mins
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Servings
4 people
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Calories
426 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Salad
Chinese Chicken Salad
Description
The salad layer starts with shredded Napa cabbage and chopped iceberg lettuce, which provide a crisp and fresh base. Juicy mandarin orange segments and julienned carrots add bursts of sweetness and color. Diced cooked chicken lends protein. For crunch, sliced almonds and a combination of crunchy chow mein noodles and crispy wonton strips are added along with toasted sesame seeds for a toasty note.
The dressing combines rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, peanut or other neutral oil, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, optional peanut butter, toasted sesame oil, and ground ginger. Shaken or blended thoroughly, the dressing brings together sweet, savory, and tangy flavors with a hint of nuttiness that coats the salad ingredients lightly. The salad is arranged with the dressing mixed in and additional dressing served alongside for optional extra flavor.
This Chinese Chicken Salad works well as a light main course or a side dish. The variety of textures—from fresh vegetables to crunchy toppings—makes it satisfying. The balance of citrusy mandarin and the rich hoisin dressing complements the tender chicken and crisp greens. It’s a versatile dish that can be customized with add-ons like goat cheese, avocado, or shrimp when desired.
Salad ingredients maintain freshness best when prepared and stored separately before tossing. The dressing should be shaken before serving. Roasting sesame seeds enhances their flavor and can be done quickly in a skillet if needed. Using economical store-bought chow mein noodles or other crunchy toppings keeps costs reasonable.
Ingredients
Salad
- 4 cups Napa cabbage shredded
- 3 cups iceberg lettuce chopped
- 2 ½ cups chicken diced, cooked
- 1 cup carrot julienned
- 11 oz. mandarin orange drained and patted dry
- 1/3 cup green onions diced
- ½ cup Chow Mein noodles
- ½ cup crispy wonton strips
- ¼ cup almonds sliced
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds toasted
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons peanut oil can sub avocado, vegetable, or canola oil
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon peanut butter optional
- ¾ teaspoon sesame oil toasted
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- Combine salad dressing ingredients in a jar with a lid and shake very well to combine. (A mini food processor may also be used.) Refrigerate while you prepare remaining ingredients.
- Arrange cabbage and lettuce on a serving platter or in large bowl and drizzle with a little dressing.
- Top with chicken, carrots, oranges, and green onions. Drizzle with more dressing and top with almonds, chow mein noodles, wonton strips, and sesame seeds. Serve with remaining dressing on the side.
Notes
- Store salad components separately in airtight containers up to 2 days before assembling to maintain freshness.
- Shake dressing well before serving to recombine ingredients.
- Toast sesame seeds in a skillet over medium heat to enhance their flavor if pre-roasted seeds are unavailable.
- Use economical chow mein noodles found in most grocery stores for affordable, crunchy topping.
- Optional add-ins include goat cheese, avocado, shrimp, and other fresh vegetables to customize the salad.
- For a protein boost, use cooked diced chicken or fried chicken tenders as preferred.
- Toss salad with dressing just before serving for best texture, especially to keep crunchy toppings crisp.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 426 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 426kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 37g | 12% |
| Protein | 30g | 60% |
| Fat | 18g | 28% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 66mg | 22% |
| Sodium | 704mg | 29% |
| Potassium | 502mg | 11% |
| Fiber | 4g | 16% |
| Sugar | 10g | 20% |
| Vitamin A | 5737IU | 115% |
| Vitamin C | 5mg | 6% |
| Calcium | 61mg | 6% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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