Chinese Chicken Salad

Name: Chinese Chicken Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 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; 4 cups finely shredded Napa cabbage; 1 cup shredded red cabbage; ½ cup shredded carrots; 2 cups diced chicken breast; ¼ cup red bell pepper diced; 2 green onions thinly sliced; ¼ cup sliced almonds; ¼ cup chow mein noodles or crispy rice noodles

April 15, 2021 by Beth Pierce 33 Comments

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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.

Chinese Chicken Salad with Napa cabbage, carrots and almonds.

Recipe notes and helpful tips

Any cooked chicken will work, including but not limited to grilled, rotisserie, baked, or poached. When going with the rotisserie chicken, choose a complementary flavor, 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 the same kind of noodles that you use in Haystack Cookies.
If making the salad in advance, hold up, adding the almonds and 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.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

A bowl of Oriental Chicken Salad drizzled with an easy six ingredient Asian Dressing.

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.
Add toasted sesame seeds.
Add mandarin orange segments.

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