This healthy and delicious Chinese Chicken Salad combines Napa and red cabbage, carrots, chicken, sweet red bell pepper, sliced almonds, and crispy chow mein noodles all drizzled with a sweet ginger soy based vinaigrette. Using already cooked chicken the salad comes together in less than 20 minutes making it perfect for those busy summer nights.
Hubby and I just love those quick to make tasty salads for our busy weekend lunches and warm summer dinners. This salad, Cobb Salad, Broccoli Salad, and Loaded Wedge Salad are just a few of our many favorites.
How to make Chinese Chicken Salad
Start by combining the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, minced garlic, and ginger in a mason jar or airtight container. Then shake to combine. Next shred both cabbages and the carrots. Then dice the chicken and red bell pepper. Now slice the green onion fairly thin. Combine both cabbages, carrots, chicken, red bell pepper, green onions, sliced almonds, and crispy chow mein noodles in a large bowl. Then drizzle with the dressing and toss to coat.
Recipe notes and helpful tips
- Any kind of cooked chicken will work including but not limited to grilled, rotisserie, baked, or poached. When going with the rotisserie chicken choose a flavor that is complementary like lemon pepper.
- The dressing can be made up to 3 days in advance. Store in a mason jar or airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Crispy cooked chow mein noodles can be found in the Asian food section of your local grocery store. They are same kind of noodle that you use in Haystack Cookies.
- If making the salad in advance hold up adding the almonds, chow mein noodles, and tossing with the dressing until ready to serve.
- Ginger paste works well for those times when fresh ginger is not available. Use 1 tablespoon ginger paste to replace 1 tablespoon fresh ginger.
Recipe substitutions and variations
- Substitute cooked shrimp or salmon for the chicken.
- Green cabbage or romaine lettuce can be substituted for the Napa cabbage.
- Add edamame, snow peas, or snap peas for extra crunch and nutrition.
- Substitute fried wonton strips for the crispy chow mein noodles.
Other Asian recipes you will love!
PrintChinese Chicken Salad
This tasty and healthy light Chinese Chicken Salad comes together in less than twenty minutes using already cooked chicken. The six ingredient sweet ginger soy based vinaigrette can be prepared up to three days in advance.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: salad
- Method: bowl and spoon
- Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients
Asian dressing
- 3 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 2 ½ teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 ½ teaspoons freshly grated ginger
Chinese Chicken Salad
- 4 cups finely shredded Napa cabbage
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- 2 cups diced chicken
- ¼ cup red bell pepper diced
- 2 green onions thinly sliced
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
- ¼ cup chow mein noodles
Instructions
- Combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, minced garlic, and ginger in a mason jar or airtight container. Shake to combine.
- Combine both cabbages, carrots, chicken, red bell pepper, green onions, sliced almonds, and chow mein noodles in a large bowl.
- Drizzle with the dressing and toss to coat. For best results serve promptly.
Notes
- Any kind of cooked chicken will work including but not limited to grilled, rotisserie, baked, or poached. When going with the rotisserie chicken choose a flavor that is complementary like lemon pepper.
- The dressing can be made up to 3 days in advance. Store in a mason jar or airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Crispy cooked chow mein noodles can be found in the Asian food section of your local grocery store. They are same kind of noodle that you use in Haystack Cookies.
- If making the salad in advance hold up adding the almonds, chow mein noodles, and tossing with the dressing until ready to serve.
- Ginger paste works well for those times when fresh ginger is not available. Use 1 tablespoon ginger paste to replace 1 tablespoon fresh ginger.
Keywords: asian salad dressing, asian chicken salad, chinese chicken salad recipe, oriental chicken salad
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Natalie
I could eat this salad any day!! Love Asian salads & this one has a lot of flavor & crunch!
★★★★★
Lisalia
My aunt made this all the time while I was growing up. It brings back great memories of her sweet smile and yummy smelling kitchen! Thanks for this recipe Beth!
★★★★★
katerina @ diethood.com
This chicken salad is incredibly delicious! We loved it!
★★★★★
Dannii
Such a great twist on a chicken salad. It looks delicious.
★★★★★
Katherine
Yum! I love all the textures and flavors in this hearty salad!
★★★★★
Gina
Oh I love this salad! The dressing alone is delicious but when tossed with the salad ingredients it’s perfect for satisfying any Chinese food craving. Love that it’s on the healthier side too!
★★★★★
Natalie
Such a lovely salad. Light and full of flavor. Love that you used sesame oil. Perfect moreover from classic chicken salad. I will defo make this.
★★★★★
Julia
What a delicious salad! I make similar with ramen noodles but will be trying chow mein next time.
★★★★★