If you are craving a salad that delivers a perfect balance of crunchy textures, fresh flavors, and a hint of Asian-inspired sweetness, then this Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe is your new best friend. It combines crisp romaine and napa cabbage with tender shredded chicken, juicy mandarin oranges, and crunchy cashews, all tossed in a flavorful sesame-ginger dressing that ties everything together beautifully. Whether you’re looking for a light lunch or a satisfying side, this salad is refreshingly vibrant and sure to impress.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is the key to making this Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe shine. Each component—from the fresh greens to the crunchy toppings—plays an essential role in creating the perfect harmony of flavors and textures. Let’s break down what you’ll need:
- Romaine lettuce: Provides a crisp and refreshing base that holds up well to the dressing.
- Shredded napa cabbage: Adds extra crunch and a slightly peppery bite for complexity.
- Rotisserie chicken: Conveniently cooked and shredded, it brings protein and a savory depth.
- Mandarin oranges: Their juicy sweetness perfectly contrasts the savory and salty elements.
- Fresh cilantro leaves: Brighten the salad with their herbal, citrusy aroma.
- Roasted salted cashews: Deliver a buttery crunch and a touch of saltiness.
- Green onions: Contribute a mild, oniony zest without overpowering the other flavors.
- Crispy wonton strips: Essential for an irresistible crunchy top layer.
- Toasted sesame seeds: Sprinkle both in the dressing and on top for nutty warmth.
- Rice vinegar: A light acidity that balances the dressing’s sweetness.
- Orange marmalade: Adds a bright, fruity sweetness that complements the mandarin oranges.
- Canola oil: A neutral base oil for the dressing.
- Toasted sesame oil: Intense, nutty flavor that defines the dressing’s Asian flair.
- Reduced sodium soy sauce: Provides umami and saltiness without overwhelming the dish.
- Freshly grated ginger: Infuses the dressing with a zesty, aromatic kick.
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper: Essential for seasoning to taste.
How to Make Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe
Step 1: Make the Dressing
Start by preparing the star of the salad—the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, orange marmalade, canola oil, toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, freshly grated ginger, sesame seeds, salt, and pepper. This mixture creates a lively balance of sweet, savory, and tangy notes that will coat every ingredient perfectly. Whisk until the dressing is smooth and well combined.
Step 2: Prepare the Salad Base
In a large bowl, combine the shredded romaine lettuce and napa cabbage. These greens provide a sturdy, crunchy foundation that will soak up the dressing without wilting too quickly, making every bite crisp and satisfying.
Step 3: Add Protein and Fresh Ingredients
Next, toss in the shredded rotisserie chicken for tender, flavorful protein. Add the drained mandarin oranges for bursts of juicy sweetness, along with the chopped cilantro leaves to brighten the flavors and the roasted cashews for an inviting crunch with a salty note. Don’t forget the thinly sliced green onions; they add a slight bite that turns up the freshness.
Step 4: Dress and Toss
Pour the prepared sesame-ginger dressing over the assembled salad and gently toss everything together. Make sure to coat all the ingredients evenly without breaking up the greens too much. This step is crucial to marry the flavors beautifully.
Step 5: Top with Crispy Wonton Strips and Sesame Seeds
Just before serving, sprinkle the salad generously with crispy wonton strips and a few more toasted sesame seeds. These final touches add irresistible crunch and enhance the authentic texture contrast that makes this Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe so beloved.
How to Serve Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe
Garnishes
For garnish, feel free to sprinkle extra chopped cilantro or toasted sesame seeds to add a pop of color and flavor. Thinly sliced red chili or a few slivers of fresh snow peas can also make the salad look stunning and add a subtle, fresh heat or sweetness.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs wonderfully with milder sides like steamed jasmine rice or simple egg rolls. It also complements Asian-inspired soups such as miso or hot and sour. These sides allow the vibrant salad to stand out while creating a balanced meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Impress your guests by serving the salad in individual bowls lined with wavy lettuce leaves or in crisp endive cups for easy, bite-sized servings. Alternatively, layering the salad ingredients in a large glass bowl can make for a beautiful, colorful centerpiece that’s as appealing to the eye as it is to the palate.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers, store the salad and dressing separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The greens will retain their crispness longer if kept apart from the dressing. The salad is best enjoyed within 24 hours for peak freshness.
Freezing
Due to the fresh vegetables and delicate textures, freezing the salad is not recommended as it will compromise the crispness and flavor. However, leftover cooked chicken can be frozen separately if needed.
Reheating
This salad is meant to be enjoyed cold or at room temperature, so reheating is unnecessary and will diminish its appeal. Simply give any refrigerated leftovers a gentle toss before serving to redistribute the dressing.
FAQs
Can I use chicken breast instead of rotisserie chicken?
Absolutely! Grilled or poached chicken breast can be shredded and used in this recipe. Rotisserie chicken just offers convenience and extra flavor but fresh cooked chicken works perfectly fine.
What can I substitute for mandarin oranges?
If you don’t have mandarin oranges on hand, canned pineapple chunks or fresh orange segments make great alternatives that maintain the sweet and juicy balance in the salad.
Are wonton strips necessary?
While not absolutely required, wonton strips add a delightful crunch that complements the softer textures. If unavailable, crispy tortilla strips or fried noodles can be used instead.
How long does the dressing keep?
The sesame-ginger dressing can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week in an airtight container. Give it a good whisk before using as ingredients may separate over time.
Can I make this salad vegan?
Yes! Simply swap the chicken for baked tofu or tempeh and ensure your wonton strips are egg-free or substitute with crunchy nuts or seeds for texture.
Final Thoughts
I promise that once you whip up this Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe, it will quickly become one of your go-to dishes. It’s refreshing, packed with flavor, and simple to make, perfect for any occasion where you want a satisfying and vibrant meal. So go ahead, gather your ingredients and dive into this delightful salad—you’ll love every crunchy, tangy, and savory bite!
Print
Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Chinese
Description
This Chinese Chicken Salad combines fresh romaine, napa cabbage, and shredded rotisserie chicken with sweet mandarin oranges and crunchy cashews for a refreshing and satisfying meal. Tossed in a flavorful sesame ginger dressing and topped with crispy wonton strips and toasted sesame seeds, this salad offers a delightful balance of textures and Asian-inspired flavors, perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner.
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 head romaine, shredded
- 4 cups shredded napa cabbage
- 3 cups leftover shredded rotisserie chicken
- 1 (15-ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
- 1/2 cup roasted salted cashews
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 2 cups crispy wonton strips, homemade or store-bought
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
Dressing
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons orange marmalade
- 2 1/2 tablespoons canola oil
- 2 1/2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, orange marmalade, canola oil, toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, freshly grated ginger, toasted sesame seeds, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper until well combined and smooth.
- Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, add the shredded romaine lettuce, shredded napa cabbage, shredded rotisserie chicken, drained mandarin oranges, chopped fresh cilantro, roasted salted cashews, and thinly sliced green onions.
- Toss with dressing: Pour the prepared sesame ginger dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss to ensure everything is evenly coated with the flavorful dressing.
- Serve immediately: Transfer the dressed salad to serving bowls or a platter, then top with crispy wonton strips and an additional sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds for extra texture and flavor. Serve promptly to maintain the crispiness of the wonton strips.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute chicken with tofu or additional vegetables like shredded carrots and bell peppers.
- To make crispy wonton strips at home, cut wonton wrappers into thin strips and fry them in hot oil until golden and crisp.
- Leftover salad can be stored without wonton strips and added fresh when serving to keep crunch.
- Adjust the amount of soy sauce and salt to your taste, especially if using salted cashews.
- Fresh ginger adds brightness; if unavailable, substitute with 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger.
