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Chinese Chicken Salad

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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!

A colorful Chinese chicken salad in a black serving bowl with salad utensils.

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

A close-up view of chicken salad in a black wok-shaped bowl with serving spoons.

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.

Ingredients for Chinese chicken salad tossed in a black salad bowl next to a kitchen towel.

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.

Ingredients for homemade Chinese chicken salad individually arranged in a black bowl ready to be tossed.

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.

A clear glass salad dressing container with homemade Asian salad dressing.

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.

A black wok-style bowl with shredded chicken breast mixed with Asian salad dressing.

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.

Chinese chicken salad in a black serving bowl with two metal serving utensils.

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!

An overhead view of Chinese chicken salad in a black bowl with two metal serving utensils.

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.

A single serving of chicken salad in a black-and-white bowl with chopsticks.

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:


KITCHEN TOOLS FOR CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD

These helpful kitchen tools make food prepping quick and easy!

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Best Chinese Chicken Salad

Chinese Chicken Salad


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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
  • 23 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

  1. Start by preparing the homemade Asian salad dressing so the flavors have a chance to meld together nicely.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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

Gold Line: Sprinkles of Inspiration | confettiandbliss.com

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!

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51 Comments

  1. This is delicious! Second time around I swapped the won ton noodles for chow mein and liked them better. I doubled the recipe and the dressing seems a tad to oily. Have you doubled before? Any tips? Also wondering if you have the nutritional information?

  2. 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.

  3. Unbelievably great! Used more ginger in the dressing and added red pepper to the salad. I will for sure make it again

  4. 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!

    1. 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.

  5. 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!

  6. 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.

    1. 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!

    1. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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

  9. Sorry but I did not find the Asian dressing recipe. How did I miss that?? Would love to make this recipe.

    1. Hi Patricia, to get to the Asian Salad dressing recipe just click on the link which is in blue in recipe.

  10. 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!

  11. 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!

    1. 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. :-)

  12. 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!!

    1. 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! :-)

  13. 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.

    1. 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. :-)

  14. 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!

    1. 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!

  15. 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!

    1. 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. :-)

  16. 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.

    1. 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. :-)

    1. 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.