Crunchy Asian Sesame Chicken Salad Recipe
This Crunchy Asian Sesame Chicken Salad is a vibrant, flavorful dish combining tender shredded chicken with fresh mixed greens and crisp vegetables. Tossed in a tangy sesame-soy dressing and topped with toasted sesame seeds and crunchy chow mein noodles, it offers a delightful balance of textures and Asian-inspired flavors perfect for a light lunch or dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- 4 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup red cabbage, shredded
- 1/2 cup sliced bell peppers
- 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro (optional)
- 1/2 cup crispy chow mein noodles
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or sugar
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Shred rotisserie or cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces to ensure easy eating and even distribution throughout the salad.
- Prepare the greens: Wash and thoroughly dry the mixed salad greens to prevent sogginess, then place them in a large mixing bowl as the salad base.
- Add vegetables: Incorporate shredded carrots, thinly sliced red cabbage, sliced bell peppers, and green onions into the bowl, layering the fresh, crunchy elements of the salad.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey (or sugar), grated ginger, and minced garlic until well combined, creating a flavorful Asian sesame dressing.
- Toss the salad: Pour about two-thirds of the dressing over the salad and shredded chicken. Gently toss to coat the ingredients evenly without bruising the greens.
- Add toppings: Just before serving, sprinkle sesame seeds and crispy chow mein noodles on top to maintain their crunch and add texture contrast.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for convenience, or cook and shred your own chicken breasts or thighs.
- Adjust sweetness of the dressing by substituting honey with sugar according to preference.
- To make the salad vegetarian, substitute chicken with crispy tofu or tempeh.
- Serve immediately after adding the crunchy toppings to prevent them from becoming soggy.
- The optional cilantro adds fresh herbal notes but can be omitted if preferred.
Keywords: Asian chicken salad, sesame chicken salad, crunchy chicken salad, healthy Asian salad, sesame dressing, chow mein noodles salad
