Description
Zesty Chinese Chicken Salad brings crisp textures and bold Asian-inspired flavors to your table with minimal effort. Crunchy cabbage, tender chicken, and tangy dressing create a refreshing meal you can enjoy in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Greens and Vegetables:
- 4 cups Napa cabbage, shredded
- 3 cups Iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup carrots, julienned
- 1/3 cup green onions, diced
Proteins and Fruits:
- 2.5 cups cooked chicken, diced
- 11 ounces (311 grams) mandarin oranges, drained and patted dry
Crunchy Toppings and Dressing Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup chow mein noodles
- 1/2 cup crispy wonton strips
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons peanut 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
- Whisk dressing ingredients together in a sealed jar or food processor until thoroughly combined. Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to meld and develop depth.
- Chop Napa cabbage and iceberg lettuce into thin, uniform strips. Spread evenly across a large serving platter to create a fresh, crisp foundation.
- Layer diced chicken evenly over the greens, ensuring consistent coverage and distribution of protein across the salad base.
- Distribute julienned carrots, mandarin oranges, and diced green onions strategically across the chicken layer to create vibrant color and balanced flavor profile.
- Generously drizzle prepared dressing over the salad, coating ingredients to enhance overall taste and moisture.
- Sprinkle sliced almonds, chow mein noodles, and crispy wonton strips to introduce multiple texture dimensions. Add toasted sesame seeds for additional nutty complexity.
- Serve immediately with extra dressing on the side, allowing guests to customize their portion. Best enjoyed fresh to maintain the crispness of added crunchy elements.
Notes
- Customize dressing sweetness by adjusting honey levels to suit personal taste preferences.
- Swap chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version that maintains protein content and flavor profile.
- Toast nuts and seeds beforehand to enhance their nutty aroma and create deeper, richer flavor dimensions.
- Prepare components separately and store in airtight containers for quick assembly during busy weekdays, keeping crunchy elements separate to prevent sogginess.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg