A fresh fusion lunch with a crunch!
Ready to celebrate the Year of the Dragon in style and good health? This sunny salad, which originated in the late 1990s and is said to have been invented by Sylvia Cheng Wu, is a Californian tribute to Chinese-American culture. Since then, it’s become a hit throughout the Western world, and is especially enjoyable during the summer when we’re craving something fresh and fragrant.
Packed with crispy raw cabbage, tender chicken, and juicy oranges, this salad makes a satisfying lunch with a bit of crunch. You can toss it in a tangy ginger-sesame dressing, as the recipe suggests, or switch things up with another kind of dressing that suits your tastes. The vibrant flavors and textures of this dish make it a cross-cultural masterpiece—you’re going to love it!
Is Chinese Chicken Salad Healthy?
With fresh produce and a homemade dressing, this recipe is as delicious as it is nutritious. The greens are packed with vitamins and minerals, as well as fiber to support digestion. Chicken is a great source of protein, leaving you feeling full and satisfied for a long time. As you might know, oranges are rich in vitamin C, too. This salad is especially good for those hot, sunny days when you need a little boost at lunchtime.
Plus, good news: this recipe is free of gluten and dairy! For a totally vegetarian/vegan option, you could swap the chicken for tofu. If you go this route, I recommend tossing the tofu in some dressing and baking it before adding it to the salad. This recipe is so simple; it’s easy to experiment with different textures and flavors.
Better Than Regular Chicken Salad
This fusion dish is a healthier and more flavorful alternative to American chicken salad, which is made with mayonnaise instead of a dressing. While that creamy classic is delicious for sandwiches, this Asian-inspired version offers more fresh veggies and a complex flavor profile that you can play with (for example, adding more ginger or spices if you’d like to add a touch of heat). Overall, it’s a low-fat option that offers more opportunities for creativity and expanding the palate.
How to make ahead and store
Got a picnic you want to prep for? The ingredients for this salad can easily be prepared and then stored in separate, airtight containers overnight. (This would be an especially good time for the chicken to marinate and soak up all the vibrant flavors.)
Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 3–4 days, but keep in mind that over time, the salad will become soggy. To lessen this effect, consider drizzling the dressing on individual bowls when ready to serve and storing leftover dressing separately from the salad itself.
Serving Suggestions
While this salad is deliciously filling on its own, it will be even more satisfying when you pair it with Crispy Air Fryer Egg Rolls or Spring Rolls. Both are homemade alternatives to the classic Asian takeout pairings.
For a more unique side, consider making Roasted Kabocha Squash and enjoy the sweet and sticky warmth of this baked favorite.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 2 cups romaine lettuce thinly chopped
- 2 cups napa cabbage thinly chopped
- 1 cup carrots julienned or shredded
- 1/2 cup green onions chopped
- 1/3 cup fresh cilantro chopped
- 1 cup mandarin oranges
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds
Instructions
- To make the dressing, combine rice wine vinegar, reduced sodium soy sauce, minced garlic, honey, fresh grated ginger, sesame oil, and olive oil in a small jar with a sealed lid and shake well until combined.
- To make the salad, combine cooked shredded chicken, romaine lettuce, napa cabbage, carrots, green onions, fresh cilantro, and mandarin oranges in a large bowl and toss to combine.
- Drizzle salad with the prepared sesame-ginger dressing and mix until fully coated. Garnish with sliced almonds. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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