Chinese Chicken Salad
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Fresh and flavorful Chinese Chicken Salad! A colorful Asian salad made with crisp cabbage, tender roasted chicken, sweet bell pepper, and a rich and tangy peanut-sesame dressing.
This refreshing Chinese Chicken Salad has such a welcome, satisfying blend of textures paired with well rounded flavor. The dressing has a crave-able rich peanut flavor, the veggies offer the salad so much freshness and a great crunch, and the chicken makes it hearty and filling.
It’s fairly easy to make since it includes a shortcut of store-bought, pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. This also makes it a no cooking required dinner salad recipe.
There’s just bit of measuring, chopping and tossing. And if you happen to have someone to help one of you can prep the salad while the other person makes the dressing.
It’s a nutritious, all in one salad that’s great for serving as a main dish entree for lunch or dinner. You’ll love all the deliciousness in every bite!
Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe Ingredients and Substitutes
Chinese Chicken Salad Dressing ingredients:
- Light olive oil: Olive oil is definitely not traditional in Chinese cooking but it’s a healthier alternative so I do recommend it. Vegetable oil or canola oil will work as well.
- Peanut butter: I recommend creamy peanut butter for this recipe.
- Sesame oil: This is the toasted sesame oil available in the Asian section of the grocery store.
- Soy sauce: If you need to reduce sodium then low-sodium soy sauce can be used. For gluten-free use tamari, and omit wonton strips of course.
- Rice vinegar: In a pinch apple cider vinegar will work as well.
- Lime juice: Lemon juice may be substituted.
- Honey: Maple syrup could be used if needed.
- Ginger: Fresh ginger will give the best flavor but if needed you could use 1/4 tsp dried ground.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic will also give the best flavor but you could use a heaping 1/4 tsp dried ground.
- Chinese five spice and red pepper flakes: These ingredients are both optional for an additional boost in flavor.
Salad ingredients:
- Romaine lettuce and nappa cabbage: I like to use a blend of the two greens for great texture and flavor. Though you could make it with just one of them if needed.
- Rotisserie chicken breasts: This salad could also be made with leftover grilled chicken or pan seared chicken.
- Red bell pepper, carrot, green onions, cilantro: This blend of produce adds vibrant natural color and fresh flavor.
- Peanuts: Cashews are another great option.
- Sesame seeds: Toasting them if you have time will add one more layer of deep flavor.
- Fried wonton strips: Homemade or store-bought works here. These are optional but add great crunch.
How to Make Chinese Chicken Salad Dressing
- Make the dressing: In a medium mixing bowl whisk together oil, peanut butter, sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, honey, ginger, garlic, Chinese five spice and red pepper flakes.
- Transfer dressing to fridge and chill preferably for 30 minutes (or freeze for 15 minutes).
How to Make Chinese Chicken Salad
- In a large serving bowl toss together lettuce, cabbage, chicken, bell pepper, carrot, green onions and cilantro. Top with peanuts and sesame seeds.
- Add dressing to entire salad and toss or add dressing to individual servings. Serve immediately after adding dressing.
How to Store this Salad
- Chinese chicken salad and dressing can be stored separately (without the dressing added) for up to 2 days.
- Serve shortly after you’ve added the dressing, then add wonton strips.
What to Serve with Chinese Chicken Salad
Chinese chicken salad is quite filling on it’s own but if you are looking for extra dishes to pair with it here are some recommendations:
More Delicious Asian Salad Recipes to Try
- Grilled Ginger Sesame Chicken Salad
- Mandarin Orange Salad
- Ramen Noodle Salad
- Thai Chicken Salad with Orange Peanut Dressing
- Thai Slaw with Peanut Dressing
Follow Cooking Classy
Chinese Chicken Salad
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1/4 cup light olive oil or vegetable oil
- 3 Tbsp creamy peanut butter
- 2 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 1 Tbsp peeled and minced ginger
- 1 1/2 tsp minced garlic (1 large clove)
- 1/2 tsp Chinese five spice (optional)
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional), or more to taste
Salad
- 1/2 large head romaine lettuce, shredded
- 1/2 medium head Napa cabbage, cored and shredded
- 3 cups cooked shredded rotisserie chicken breast
- 1 large red bell pepper, cored, seeded and sliced
- 1 large carrot, juliened
- 4 green onions, sliced
- 1/2 cup rough chopped cilantro
- 1/2 cup rough chopped peanuts or cashews
- 2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds (optional)
- Fried wonton strips, homemade or store-bought (optional)
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a medium mixing bowl whisk together oil, peanut butter, sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, honey, ginger, garlic, Chinese five spice and red pepper flakes.
- Transfer dressing to fridge and chill preferably for 30 minutes (or freeze for 15).
- For the salad: In a large serving bowl toss together lettuce, cabbage, chicken, bell pepper, carrot, green onions and cilantro. Top with peanuts and sesame seeds.
- Add dressing to entire salad and toss or add dressing to individual servings. Serve immediately after adding dressing.
Notes
- Sesame seeds and wonton strips not included in nutrition estimate as these are optional.