If you crave crisp, colorful, flavor-packed salads, this Chinese Chicken Salad deserves a permanent spot in your lunch or dinner rotation. Juicy chicken, crunchy veggies, and a sweet-savory sesame dressing come together for a bowl that’s as fun to eat as it is to look at. You’ll fall in love with this salad’s irresistible blend of fresh textures and vibrant flavors!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultimate Crunch: Every bite bursts with crisp vegetables, crunchy noodles, and nutty toppings—there’s a new texture in every forkful!
- Irresistible Dressing: Savory, a little sweet, and packed with umami thanks to hoisin, soy, and toasted sesame, the homemade dressing elevates this Chinese Chicken Salad to restaurant-worthy status.
- Super Satisfying: It’s not just a side salad—juicy chicken makes this a protein-packed meal that will keep you satisfied for hours.
- Totally Customizable: You can swap in your favorite veggies, protein, or toppings—there’s no wrong way to make it your own!
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to create dazzling flavor and crunch with a few simple, vibrant ingredients. Each component of this Chinese Chicken Salad brings something to the party—whether it’s color, texture, or a burst of flavor!
- Napa cabbage: Mild and tender, napa adds lovely texture without overpowering the salad.
- Iceberg lettuce: For a refreshing, classic crunch that makes the base extra crisp.
- Cooked chicken: Use rotisserie, poached, or leftover chicken—whatever you have works, just dice or shred it bite-size!
- Carrots: Julienne them for beautiful color and a sweet snap in every bite.
- Mandarin oranges: Drain and pat dry so you get sweet, juicy citrus without sogginess.
- Green onions: For a pop of mellow, zesty freshness that ties everything together.
- Chow mein noodles: Classic crunchy topping—don’t skip these for the ultimate Chinese Chicken Salad experience.
- Crispy wonton strips: Extra crunch and that irresistible golden color. Try store-bought or make your own.
- Sliced almonds: Nutty, toasty, and just the right amount of bite.
- Toasted sesame seeds: A final sprinkle for fragrance and subtle crunch—the finishing touch!
- Rice vinegar: It adds tang and brightness to balance out the dressing.
- Hoisin sauce: This sweet-savory staple gives restaurant-level depth and umami.
- Peanut oil: Adds richness to the dressing—feel free to sub with avocado, vegetable, or canola if you like.
- Soy sauce: Classic umami and saltiness for balance in the dressing.
- Honey: Just a touch for natural sweetness and gloss.
- Garlic: Mince it fresh for zingy aromatic flavor.
- Peanut butter (optional): For extra creaminess and richness in the dressing—it’s a game-changer!
- Toasted sesame oil: A small amount brings smoky, nutty depth to your dressing.
- Ground ginger: Warm spice that compliments the sweetness and brightens the whole dish.
Variations
One of the best things about Chinese Chicken Salad is how totally fuss-free it is to adapt. Play with the ingredients you have on hand, or tailor it to fit your preferences and dietary needs—the possibilities really are endless!
- Vegetarian twist: Swap out chicken for cubed tofu or edamame for a plant-powered protein boost.
- Noodle swap: Use rice noodles or even spiralized zucchini for a fun, gluten-free base.
- Change up the greens: Try baby spinach, romaine, or all-napa if you want to shake things up.
- Spicy kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a squirt of sriracha to the dressing for heat.
- Nut-free option: Simply omit almonds and peanut butter, and use sunflower seeds or omit the nuts entirely.
How to Make Chinese Chicken Salad
Step 1: Mix the Dressing
Combine all the dressing ingredients—rice vinegar, hoisin, peanut oil, soy sauce, honey, garlic, peanut butter, sesame oil, and ginger—in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Shake like crazy until it’s perfectly blended, or whiz it in a mini food processor for a super creamy finish. Pop it in the fridge while you prep the veggies to let those flavors mingle and get extra tasty!
Step 2: Create the Crunchy Base
Arrange the shredded napa cabbage and iceberg lettuce on your favorite platter or pile them into a big salad bowl. Drizzle with a little bit of the dressing—just enough to lightly coat—so every leafy bite gets a flavor boost.
Step 3: Layer On the Good Stuff
Top your greens with diced or shredded chicken for hearty satisfaction. Scatter on the carrots, mandarin oranges, and green onions next—making sure every spoonful will have a bit of everything. Drizzle with a little more dressing for extra flavor.
Step 4: Add Crunchy Toppings
Finish by sprinkling on the almonds, chow mein noodles, crispy wonton strips, and toasted sesame seeds. These toppings are what take your Chinese Chicken Salad from good to can’t-stop-eating great, so be generous!
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy
Set any remaining dressing on the side and let everyone add more as they eat. Serve this salad immediately for the absolute best texture—dig in and enjoy an explosion of sweet, savory, and crunchy in every bite!
Pro Tips for Making Chinese Chicken Salad
- Dressing Magic: Make the dressing ahead—even just 15 minutes in advance—so the flavors have time to meld and intensify.
- Super-Crisp Veggies: If you want ultra-crunchy lettuce and cabbage, soak them in ice water for 5–10 minutes, then spin or pat dry before assembling.
- Protein Perfection: Rotisserie or leftover grilled chicken is fantastic, but for extra tenderness, try poaching a few chicken breasts with a pinch of salt and ginger.
- Topping Timing: Add crunchy toppings like noodles and wonton strips at the very last minute so they stay crisp and irresistible.
How to Serve Chinese Chicken Salad
Garnishes
For a finishing touch, sprinkle on extra green onions, a few more almonds, or an extra pinch of toasted sesame seeds. If you have fresh cilantro, a little chopped on top adds lovely fragrance and color. For restaurant-style presentation, arrange orange slices or a lime wedge on the side.
Side Dishes
This salad’s got crunch and protein, so it truly shines as a standalone meal! But if you want something on the side, try simple steamed jasmine rice, vegetable spring rolls, or a warm bowl of miso soup. A light Asian-inspired noodle soup also pairs beautifully without stealing the spotlight.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve this Chinese Chicken Salad deconstructed for dinner parties—arrange toppings and greens in separate bowls for everyone to build their own. For a fun lunchbox, layer salad and chicken in a mason jar, keeping the dressing and crunchy toppings separate until it’s time to eat. Or, pile the salad high on lettuce cups for bite-size party appetizers!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Chinese Chicken Salad will keep refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 days. To keep everything crisp, store extra dressing and crunchy toppings separately, and assemble just before eating.
Freezing
While the dressing can be frozen in a well-sealed container for up to 1 month, the leafy greens, citrus, and crispy toppings do not freeze well and will lose their texture. For best results, enjoy the salad fresh—or prep components ahead to mix when you’re ready!
Reheating
This Chinese Chicken Salad is meant to be enjoyed cold or at room temperature, so no reheating required! If you’ve stored the components separately, simply toss everything together and add fresh crunchy toppings for next-day deliciousness.
FAQs
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Can I make this Chinese Chicken Salad in advance?
Absolutely! Prep the dressing, chicken, and veggies a day ahead and store everything separately in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, just toss the ingredients together and add the crispy toppings so everything stays fresh and crunchy.
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What type of chicken works best?
Any cooked chicken works beautifully—rotisserie, grilled, roasted, or poached. Shred or dice it into bite-sized pieces for the best texture, and if you want a shortcut, a store-bought rotisserie chicken is hard to beat!
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How do I keep the crunchy toppings crispy?
Keep chow mein noodles and wonton strips stored separately until just before serving. Only add them when you’re ready to eat so they stay super crisp and delicious.
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Can I make this Chinese Chicken Salad gluten-free?
Definitely! Use tamari or gluten-free soy sauce in the dressing, and swap traditional chow mein noodles and wonton strips for gluten-free crunchy alternatives or skip them entirely. Everything else is naturally gluten-free!
Final Thoughts
There’s something undeniably joyful about tossing together a big, beautiful Chinese Chicken Salad and watching everyone dive in. Every crunchy, juicy, flavor-packed forkful is a little taste of summer—so I hope you’ll give it a try soon and share the love with friends and family!
Print
Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A fresh and flavorful Chinese Chicken Salad with a delightful mix of crunchy vegetables, tender chicken, and a savory dressing. Topped with crispy wonton strips and sliced almonds, this salad is a perfect blend of textures and flavors.
Ingredients
Salad:
- 4 cups Napa cabbage, shredded
- 3 cups Iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 2 1/2 cups cooked chicken, diced
- 1 cup carrots, julienned
- 11 oz. mandarin oranges, drained and patted dry
- 1/3 cup green onions, diced
- 1/2 cup chow mein noodles
- 1/2 cup crispy wonton strips
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons peanut oil (or substitute avocado, vegetable, or canola oil)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon peanut butter (optional)
- 3/4 teaspoon toasted sesame seed oil
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- Prepare Dressing: Combine all dressing ingredients in a jar with a lid and shake well to combine or use a mini food processor. Refrigerate while you prepare other ingredients.
- Assemble Salad: Arrange cabbage and lettuce on a platter or in a bowl. Drizzle with a portion of the dressing.
- Add Toppings: Top with chicken, carrots, mandarin oranges, and green onions. Drizzle with more dressing and sprinkle almonds, chow mein noodles, wonton strips, and sesame seeds on top.
- Serve: Serve the salad with extra dressing on the side.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
