Grilled Ginger-Sesame Chicken Chopped Salad

Published May 16, 2014. Updated March 7, 2020

This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.

Do you get easily bored of the same salads all the time? I know I do, so I’m always trying out new salad recipes. This grilled ginger-sesame chicken chopped salad is a great one to add to your rotation. It’s easy, it is incredibly flavorful and all the textures in this salad are amazing – the crunch, the chew, the tenderness and the unique bite from the sesame seeds. I love that it is healthy too! Good for you food doesn’t have to be bland and boring, with the right flavors and a few fresh ingredients you’ve got a meal worth remembering.

Grilled Ginger-Sesame Chicken Chopped Salad | Cooking Classy

The best part of this salad is the marinated and grilled chicken. I enjoyed it so much that I will likely just start making it all it’s own on occasion. It has the perfect blend of flavors and the marinade was quick and easy to throw together. Another great thing about this salad is the cabbage, how often do we get caught making salads over and over with the same types of lettuce. It’s nice to have a little variation. Summer is salad season so keep this recipe handy and try it soon!

Enjoy!

Grilled Ginger-Sesame Chicken Chopped Salad | Cooking ClassyGrilled Ginger Sesame Chopped Chicken Salad | Cooking Classy

16 Quick & Easy 30 Minute Recipes! (plus weekly recipe updates)

5 from 7 votes

Grilled Ginger-Sesame Chicken Chopped Salad

easy, fresh grilled ginger and sesame chicken chopped salad perfect for summer Barbecues
Servings: 4 servings
Prep40 minutes
Cook10 minutes
resting time10 minutes
Ready in: 50 minutes

Ingredients

Dressing and Marinade

Salad

  • 2 (9 oz) boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 lb napa cabbage , halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
  • 1 1/2 - 2 cups matchstick carrots , or 2 medium carrots cut into matchsticks
  • 2/3 cup slivered or sliced almonds , toasted
  • 1/2 cup cilantro leaves , chopped
  • 3 chopped green onions , green and white parts
  • 1 tsp white sesame seeds , toasted
  • 1 tsp black sesame seeds (or an additional 1 tsp white, toasted)

Instructions

  • For the marinade:
  • In a mixing bowl (or 2-cup liquid measuring cup), whisk together soy sauce, ginger, canola oil, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, Sriracha and 1/2 tsp salt (adding more salt to taste as desired, original recipe calls for 1 tsp salt, I added 3/4 tsp and I still thought that was too much).
  • Add chicken breasts to a large resealable bag and add 3 Tbsp of the marinade mixture, reserving remaining. Seal bag and rub marinade over chicken, then transfer chicken to refrigerator and let rest at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 day.
  • For the dressing:
  • Add red wine vinegar and 1/4 cup chopped green onions to remaining dressing mixture and whisk to blend. Set aside (chill in refrigerator if marinating chicken longer than 1 hour).
  • For the salad:
  • Heat a grill or grill pan over stove top over medium-high heat. Brush grill lightly with canola or vegetable oil, then place marinated chicken on grill and cook, about 4 minutes per side, or until chicken has cooked through (it should register to 165 degrees in center of chicken when tested with a meat thermometer).
  • Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes. Then, cut chicken crosswise into strips about 1/4-inch thick.
  • To assemble salad:
  • In a large bowl toss together cabbage, chicken, carrots, almonds, 3 chopped green onions, and cilantro with enough dressing to coat salad. Sprinkle top with sesame seeds and serve.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Curtis Stone via Menu Musings
Nutrition Facts
Grilled Ginger-Sesame Chicken Chopped Salad
Amount Per Serving
Calories 482 Calories from Fat 252
% Daily Value*
Fat 28g43%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Cholesterol 82mg27%
Sodium 1220mg53%
Potassium 1318mg38%
Carbohydrates 25g8%
Fiber 7g29%
Sugar 10g11%
Protein 35g70%
Vitamin A 19397IU388%
Vitamin C 43mg52%
Calcium 204mg20%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.
Grilled Ginger-Sesame Chicken Chopped Salad | Cooking ClassyGrilled Ginger-Sesame Chicken Chopped Salad | Cooking Classy

Grilled Ginger-Sesame Chicken Chopped Salad | Cooking ClassyGrilled Ginger-Sesame Chicken Chopped Salad | Cooking ClassyGrilled Ginger-Sesame Chicken Chopped Salad | Cooking Classy