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This Chinese chicken salad is healthy, savory, refreshing and delicious! This recipe is better than takeout! It’s ideal for weekly meal plan rotations. Make a DIY salad kit that’s ready to go when you need it: just add lettuce, previously-prepped ingredients and toss. Make this easy salad recipe in only 15 minutes!
CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD INGREDIENTS
These are the ingredients for this yummy Chinese chicken salad recipe.
- Rotisserie chicken breast
- Romaine lettuce
- Iceburg lettuce
- Red cabbage
- Julienned carrots
- Green onions
- Cilantro leaves
- Sesame seeds
- Sliced or slivered almonds
- Cashews
- Crispy wonton strips
- Homemade Asian salad dressing
EXPERT TIPS FOR CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD
With these helpful expert tips you’ll create a fresh crunchy salad that’s so much better than takeout from your favorite Chinese restaurant!
- MORE IDEAS FOR FLAVORFUL CHICKEN SALAD ADD-INS: Mandarin orange slices, water chestnuts, baby corn, julienned orange or red bell pepper, snow peas, and sunflower seeds.
- HOW TO MAKE MEAL PREP EASY: Buy prepared items at the market to include a store-bought rotisserie chicken, ready-to-serve Romaine lettuce, and packets of pre-shredded carrots and pre-shredded red cabbage.
- ABOUT HOMEMADE ASIAN SALAD DRESSING: The dressing can be prepared in advance, with the exception of including garlic and ginger which should always be added fresh! When refrigerating dressing with ginger and garlic, it will only stay fresh about 2-3 days. Without these 2 ingredients it will last much longer!
- DIY SALAD KIT: This is the perfect make-ahead salad kit for parties, potlucks, and family gatherings. Simply prep the items individually in zip-top bags, and then toss everything together just before serving.
FAQ FOR CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD
- WHERE TO FIND CRUNCHY TOPPINGS AT THE MARKET? Look for Zip-top packets of crunchy wontons in the produce section of your grocery store next to other “salad toppings” like tortilla strips, croutons, crispy onions, etc. If there’s an Asian grocery aisle, look for crunchy noodles – thin or thick!
- HOW LONG CAN YOU STORE CHOPPED LETTUCE? When meal prepping for the week, remember that chopped lettuce will stay good for up to 5 days if refrigerated in an air-tight container.
- HOW TO KEEP CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD CRISP? To keep the lettuce nice and crisp, don’t add the remaining half of the dressing to the salad until serving time. Place the container of dressing right next to the salad bowl. Family and friends can drizzle it on, as desired.
- HOW TO KEEP THE NOODLES CRISP? To keep the noodles crisp, sprinkle them on as a garnish after the salad has been tossed with dressing, just before serving.
HOW TO MAKE CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD
Here’s how to make this scrumptious salad recipe:
- STEP 1: Begin by preparing the Chinese chicken salad dressing.
- STEP 2: Transfer the Asian salad dressing to a carafe. Allow it sit for at least 10 minutes so the flavors can meld together.
- STEP 3: Shred the rotisserie chicken breast.
ASIAN CHICKEN SALAD RECIPE
How to make Chinese chicken salad step by step:
- STEP 4: Shred the rotisserie chicken into thin strips. Add it to a large serving bowl.
- STEP 5: Pour half the Asian dressing over the cooked shredded chicken and toss. While the salad dressing soaks into the chicken and flavors it, continue preparing the rest of this recipe.
BEST CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD
- STEP 6: On top of the seasoned chicken, add the two types of lettuce, shredded red cabbage, carrots, sliced green onions, and chopped cilantro. With two serving utensils, toss the salad ingredients together.
BEST ASIAN SALAD RECIPE
- STEP 7: Generously sprinkle the top of your salad with sesame seeds. For additional color and a little zing, add some crushed chili flakes!
COLORFUL CHICKEN SALAD
- STEP 8: Garnish Chinese chicken salad with sliced or slivered almonds, and some cashew halves. Sprinkle crispy wonton strips or chow mein noodles on top.
HOW TO SERVE CHICKEN SALAD
This Chinese chicken salad is just as delicious as it looks! Better and cheaper than takeout, it’s perfect for lunch, dinner, potlucks, family gatherings and work parties. Hearty enough to enjoy as a main course, it also makes a flavorful side dish. Serve this restaurant recipe with artisan bread and butter!
ESSENTIAL SALAD RECIPES
If you loved this Chinese chicken salad, you’ll enjoy these recipes too:
- HEALTHY BROCCOLI SALAD WITH BACON
- CLASSIC MACARONI SALAD
- TROPICAL FRUIT SALAD
- COLD SPAGHETTI SALAD
- LOADED BAKED POTATO SALAD
KITCHEN TOOLS FOR CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD
These helpful kitchen tools make food prepping quick and easy!
RATE THIS RECIPE ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Did you make this recipe? Please give it a star rating in the comments below!
Chinese Chicken Salad
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 5 Servings 1x
Description
Healthy Chinese chicken salad is a joy to make! Prep it in advance for a DIY salad kit! The flavorful homemade Asian dressing takes this restaurant recipe to the next level!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups rotisserie chicken breast, shredded
- 1 head romaine lettuce, shredded
- 1 head iceburg lettuce, shredded
- 1 rounded cup of red cabbage, shredded
- 1 cup of carrots (about 2 carrots), julienned or shredded
- 1/2 bunch of green onions, thinly sliced
- 2–3 tablespoons cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
- Asian salad dressing, using this homemade recipe
- Garnishes: sesame seeds, crushed red pepper flakes (optional), sliced or slivered almonds, cashew halves, crispy wonton strips
Instructions
- Start by preparing the homemade Asian salad dressing so the flavors have a chance to meld together nicely.
- After shredding the chicken breast, add it to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle half of the salad dressing directly on top of the chicken. With kitchen tongs, mix these ingredients together. Let the chicken sit and soak in all of that goodness while you finish prepping the remainder of the recipe.
- Add the shredded romaine lettuce, iceburg lettuce, carrots and red cabbage to the mixing bowl. Add in the sliced green onions and chopped cilantro leaves. With tongs, toss the ingredients until well combined.
- Generously garnish your Chinese chicken salad with sesame seeds, dried chili flakes, almonds, cashew halves and wonton strips. To keep your salad nice and crisp, do not add the remainder of the Asian dressing until serving time.
- Place the salad dressing carafe with the remainder of the Asian dressing beside the serving bowl. As they serve themselves, family and guests can drizzle the dressing on top. Enjoy!
Notes
EXPERT TIPS FOR CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD
- MORE IDEAS FOR FLAVORFUL CHICKEN SALAD ADD-INS: Mandarin orange slices, water chestnuts, baby corn, julienned orange or red bell pepper, snow peas, and sunflower seeds.
- HOW TO MAKE MEAL PREP EASY: Buy prepared items at the market to include a store-bought rotisserie chicken, ready-to-serve Romaine lettuce, and packets of pre-shredded carrots and pre-shredded red cabbage.
- ABOUT HOMEMADE ASIAN SALAD DRESSING: The dressing can be prepared in advance, with the exception of including garlic and ginger which should always be added fresh! When refrigerating dressing with ginger and garlic, it will only stay fresh about 2-3 days. Without these 2 ingredients it will last much longer!
- DIY SALAD KIT: This is the perfect make-ahead salad kit for parties, potlucks, and family gatherings. Simply prep the items individually in zip-top bags, and then toss everything together just before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Tossing
- Cuisine: Western Chinese
Keywords: Chinese chicken salad, chicken salad, chicken salad recipe
CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD > JOIN THE CONVERSATION!
Do you enjoy making DIY salad kits? Let me know what you think about this chicken salad recipe in the comments below!
Amazing recipe. I cook for 6 very picky people. Everyone finished their plates! My teenager with meat aversions even ate the left over chicken from the bowl LOL!!! Definitely a great, easy weeknight meal.
★★★★★
Can’t wait to try this out.
Unbelievably great! Used more ginger in the dressing and added red pepper to the salad. I will for sure make it again
★★★★★
This was truly yummy. Thank you so much for the recipe. I substituted chopped vegan chicken strips and everyone in the family loved the meal! The dressing was great!
★★★★★
This sounds delicious. If there are leftovers, do they keep well in the fridge overnight?
★★★★★
Only if the lettuce mix, chicken, and dressing are not mixed together. I suggest only combining what will be eaten immediately, then storing the remaining items separately in airtight containers and refrigerating.
I’m sorry I couldn’t find the dressing recipe. Sounds so good lite for the hot summer days
Hello Sam! In the printable recipe card there’s a blue hyperlink in the ingredients section. If you click it, you’ll be taken directly to the fabulous salad dressing recipe. I hope you try it. It’s soooo good! https://www.confettiandbliss.com/asian-salad-dressing/
That looks so fresh and tasty!! I am actually not a fan of cilantro at all, although I sure wish I was right now.
★★★★★
Made this for dinner last night. The dressing is very good. I didn’t have molasses so subbed a little brown sugar. We included both red and Napa cabbages, as well as red bell peppers. Topped with sliced almonds and a few wonton strips for crunch. Very tasty!
★★★★
This was so gooooo! I marinated ahi tuna in a little of the dressing then pan seared. It was a great aubstitute for the chicken.
★★★★★
Caterina, what a great idea to switch things up and use ahi tuna! I bet that tasted great. Thanks so much for coming back to share your experience with this recipe. Happy holidays!
Does the nutrition info include the salad dressing?
Hello Audrey. The nutrition information includes 1/4 cup of the Asian salad dressing that’s added directly to the chicken. It does not include a drizzling of the Asian dressing over individual servings of salad. You’ll need to guesstimate the calories based on how much dressing you’d like to enjoy with your salad.
This recipe was delicious! Very easy to make and authentic taste. Great no cook summer lunch or dinner. I used Rotisserie chicken and paired it with potstickers. Will definitely keep this recipe.
★★★★★
Woohoo! Thanks so much Lynn! 🙂
The salad sounds wonderful and I have all the ingredients to make it. However, a whole head of iceburg lettuce and a head of romaine lettuce sounds like a lot of lettuce especially since it calls for only 2 cups of chicken. Is this correct?
Thank you
★★★★★
Sorry but I did not find the Asian dressing recipe. How did I miss that?? Would love to make this recipe.
Good morning Patricia! This flavorful Asian dressing makes all the difference: https://www.confettiandbliss.com/asian-salad-dressing/
Hi Patricia, to get to the Asian Salad dressing recipe just click on the link which is in blue in recipe.
Looks really yummy! I have never tried a Chinese chicken salad thus, I am so excited to try this on Saturday.
This salad is to die for! I loooooove the addition of nuts to my salads. Doesn’t really make them low fat but definitely ups the health factor!
★★★★★
I love how easy this was to throw together with leftover rotisserie chicken! The wonton strips on top are a must! I love the crunch they add!
★★★★★
Whitney, thanks so much for visiting me here at Confetti and Bliss! This Chinese Chicken Salad recipe really is an excellent way to use leftover rotisserie chicken! And boy does this salad taste good! Enjoy. :-)
This is such a wonderful salad recipe and you’re right, it’s perfect for when I meal-prep. It’s so easy to put together and so convenient to spoon some in a container in the mornings as my husband leaves for work. Such incredible flavors and I think I’m going to keep a bottle of the dressing always made in my fridge – it’s so good!!
★★★★★
Joanie, I’m so happy to hear that you’re enjoying this Chinese Chicken Salad recipe with its scrumptious Asian Dressing! Thank you so much for coming back to leave a comment. Many good wishes for a fabulous week ahead! :-)
Looks really yummy! I have never tried a Chinese chicken salad thus, I am so excited to try this on Saturday. Perfect for our upcoming family gathering.
Sheila, get your taste buds ready…after the first forkful you’re going to go wild over this super scrumptious Chinese chicken salad! Your family will love it too! Thanks so much for stopping by to join the conversation. :-)
We love quick meals as we are on the go a lot. This will be perfect to try now that school has started.
★★★★★
This salad looks so colourful and inviting I could just dive right into a big bowl of it!
I like that it doesn’t use TOO many ingredients, either. It’s something I could contemplate making on a busy weeknight.
Thank you for this beautiful recipe!
★★★★★
Helen, I’m so happy you love this yummy Chinese chicken salad recipe. Perfect for quick weekday meals, it’s also great when prepared as a DIY salad kit that you and your family can take to work, school, picnics, and more! Have a great week!
What a nice crispy salad full of Asian flavors! Its amazing that you used rotisserie chicken here, i always have leftovers and never know what to do with them!
★★★★★
This Chinese chicken salad recipe is indeed an awesome way to use leftover rotisserie chicken! Brandi, thank you so much for stopping by and joining the conversation! Have a great Monday. :-)
This recipe for Chinese Chicken Salad seems easy. It seems that the Chinese salad dressing is key. I will try this recipe myself as it doesn’t only seem simple to prepare but it also looks tasty.
The Asian salad dressing makes this Chinese chicken salad so flavorful and delicious! I usually double the recipe for the Asian dressing and use half as a chicken marinade for later in the week. I love time-saving meal ideas! Ingrid, thanks so much for stopping by. :-)
This Chinese Chicken Salad looks so delicious! Just the recipe I was looking for!
★★★★★
Thank you Jalisa! I’m so glad you found this yummy Chinese chicken salad recipe.
I will totally have to try this out sometime! Chinese chicken salad is something I have never had before!
★★★★★
Joanna, once you try this healthy, delicious, Chinese chicken salad recipe you’re going to love it! It’s quick and easy to make, and a great way to use rotisserie chicken.
This is one of my favorite salads, but I’ve never tried making it at home! Gonna try this!
This looks really tasty and flavorful! Great for Summer :D
★★★★★
Its the perfect recipe for summer. I hope you really enjoy it.
I absolutely love Chinese chicken salad! It’s so great as a side dish or at BBQs!
Its the best for BBQs. You have that right!
This salad looks so delicious. My mom’s birthday is coming up so I think I’ll make this for her.
This salad is the best thing to make for a birthday. I hope your mom really enjoys it.
This salad sounds delicious! I love meals that you can prepare ahead for a quick fix during the week.
★★★★★
Quick meals are the best. The salad is the best. I hope you enjoy it.
Your photography is gorgeous, and this salad sounds amazing! I’ll definitely be trying it!
Thank you so much. I’m so glad you will be trying it. You’ll love it.