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Chinese Chicken Salad

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close up shot of Chinese chicken salad in a bowl
Full of plenty of crunch that the whole family will love, this Chinese chicken salad is a delicious choice for a side salad or to bring to a potluck.
Jump to Recipe
Prep Time20 minutes
Total Time20 minutes
Servings6
Table of Contents
  1. CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD INGREDIENTS
  2. HOW TO MAKE THIS CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD RECIPE
  3. HOW TO SERVE
  4. STORAGE
  5. FAQ
  6. MORE RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE
  7. JUMP TO RECIPE
  8. Even More Easy Recipes

Crisp, fresh and crunchy, this Chinese chicken salad is full of a rainbow of delicious vegetables, tender chicken and the surprising crunch of chow mein noodles and wontons. A tangy dressing flavors everything with Asian-inspired flavors for a salad that you’ll love to customize to your family’s tastes.

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Salads can be made so many ways with an unlimited list of ingredients. For more of our favorite salad recipes try broccoli salad, chicken bacon ranch salad, dill pickle pasta salad or taco pasta salad.

close up shot of Chinese chicken salad in a bowl with wooden tongs

MORE SALAD RECIPES:
BLT Pasta Salad | Ranch Potato Salad


CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD INGREDIENTS

Chinese chicken salad raw ingredients that are labeled

You will need:

For the Dressing

  • ½ cup of rice wine vinegar  
  • ¼ cup light soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon roasted garlic paste
  • 1 teaspoon ginger paste
  • ½ cup of vegetable oil

For the Salad  

  • ½ head of green cabbage, thinly sliced
  • ½ head of red cabbage, thinly sliced
  • 1 small red bell pepper, seeds, and stem removed, thinly sliced
  • 1 small carrot, sliced thinly
  • 2 green onions, chopped (you can use the green parts only or the whites, too, for added onion flavor)
  • 1 cup loosely packed cilantro, chopped
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, cubed or shredded
  • 1 cup crispy fried chow mein noodles
  • 1 cup crispy fried wonton strips
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Pro Tip: Often you can purchase half heads of cabbage at the grocery store. Or, use the leftover halves of the cabbage to make Fried Cabbage

SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS

Chicken: Use chicken breast or pick up a rotisserie chicken from the store to use in this salad.

Cabbage: Depending on the availability at your local grocery store, you can use red or purple cabbage in this recipe.

Lettuce: I like to add some romaine lettuce, iceberg lettuce and/or some chopped spinach to supplement the cabbage in the salad.

Mix-Ins: The ingredients and amounts are completely customizable. Add raw broccoli florets, toasted almonds, black sesame seeds, snow peas or sweet mandarin oranges. There are lots of crunchy toppings you can add including ramen noodles, sunflower seeds or even crispy rice noodles.

Dressing: if you have a different dressing recipe that you like, you could use that instead.

HOW TO MAKE THIS CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD RECIPE

STEP ONE: Whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, garlic paste, and ginger paste. Slowly drizzle the oil into the other salad dressing ingredients while whisking vigorously to emulsify the ingredients. Set aside.

Chinese chicken salad process shot of ingredients being mixed together

STEP TWO: In a large bowl toss together cabbage, bell pepper, carrots, green onions, cilantro, and chicken. 

Chinese chicken salad process shot of ingredients being tossed together in a bowl

STEP THREE: Chill, covered, in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

STEP FOUR: Just before serving, add chow mein noodles and wonton strips to the salad ingredients.

Chinese chicken salad process shot of ingredients being added together in a bowl

STEP FIVE: Whisk sesame seeds into the dressing. Drizzle desired amount of dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Serve immediately.

PRO TIP: To toast sesame seeds, toss them for a couple of minutes over medium heat in a saute pan until they begin to brown. Remove from the saute pan immediately so they do not burn.

PRO TIP: If you have any extra dressing, store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Chinese chicken salad process shot if dressing being added to salad in a bowl

HOW TO SERVE

Serve this crunchy salad alongside our crispy honey chicken, orange chicken or our honey garlic chicken on a bed of rice. This recipe would also be an excellent choice to take to a potluck or summer barbecue.

STORAGE

IN THE FRIDGE: Chow mein noodles and wonton strips become soggy after the salad has been mixed with dressing. If you do not anticipate eating most of the oriental chicken salad at serving time, the salad, dressing, and crispy toppings can be stored separately in airtight containers for up to 4 days in the refrigerator and then combined for serving.

close up shot of Chinese chicken salad

This crunchy Chinese chicken salad is delicious and full of yummy Asian flavors. The fresh ingredients are mixed with crunchy noodles and a tangy dressing that is the star of the show. This salad will pair well with so many delicious entrees.

FAQ

Can I add ramen noodles instead of the chow mein noodles?

Any crunchy noodles could be added to this delicious Chinese chicken salad.Any crunchy noodles could be added to this delicious Chinese chicken salad.Any crunchy noodles could be added to this delicious Chinese chicken salad.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

You can prepare this recipe ahead of time but you should store each part separately in an airtight container and only mix it together right before you are ready to serve.

Where can I buy wontons or chow mein noodles?

You can buy both in the Asian section of the grocery store or at a bulk food store.

MORE RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

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close up shot of Chinese chicken salad in a bowl

Chinese Chicken Salad

5 from 3 votes
Full of plenty of crunch that the whole family will love, this Chinese chicken salad is a delicious choice for a side salad or to bring to a potluck.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

Soy Ginger Dressing

  • ½ cup rice wine vinegar
  • ¼ cup light soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon roasted garlic paste
  • 1 teaspoon ginger paste
  • ½ cup vegetable oil

Salad

  • ½ head green cabbage thinly sliced
  • ½ head red cabbage thinly sliced
  • 1 small red bell pepper seeds and stem removed, thinly sliced
  • 1 small carrot sliced thinly
  • 2 green onions chopped (you can use the green parts only or the whites too, for added onion flavor)
  • 1 cup loosely packed cilantro chopped
  • 2 cups cooked chicken cubed or shredded
  • 1 cup crispy fried chow mein noodles
  • 1 cup crispy fried wonton strips
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Instructions
 

  • Whisk together vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, garlic paste, and ginger paste. Slowly drizzle the oil into the other dressing ingredients while whisking vigorously to emulsify the ingredients. Set aside.
  • In a large salad bowl toss together cabbage, bell pepper, carrots, green onions, cilantro, and chicken.
  • Chill, covered, in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
  • Just before serving, add chow mein noodles and wonton strips to the salad ingredients.
  • Whisk sesame seeds into the dressing. Drizzle desired amount of dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

To make the dressing, heat sugar, salt, pepper, and vinegar until sugar is dissolved. Cool, then add ½ cup of oil. Put in a sealed jar and shake well to mix.

Nutrition

Calories: 475kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 20g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 906mg | Potassium: 553mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 2877IU | Vitamin C: 85mg | Calcium: 113mg | Iron: 4mg
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This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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