Description
This Chinese Chicken Salad features crisp Napa cabbage, shredded chicken breast, colorful vegetables, and a zesty natural dressing combining rice vinegar, soy sauce, and toasted sesame oil. Ready in under 30 minutes, it offers a fresh, vibrant, and flavorful meal perfect for quick lunches or light dinners with a delightful crunch and balanced nutrition.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked and shredded fresh chicken breast
- 3 cups thinly sliced Napa cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into thin strips
- 1/4 cup toasted sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 tablespoon lightly toasted sesame seeds
Dressing Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar (natural)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce (natural)
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil (natural)
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (natural)
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger (natural)
- 1 clove garlic, minced (natural)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cook the chicken breast by poaching, grilling, or roasting until fully done and tender. Allow to cool slightly, then shred into bite-sized pieces for easy mixing with the vegetables.
- Chop the Vegetables: Thinly slice the Napa cabbage, shred the carrots, slice the green onions, and cut the red bell pepper into slender strips to ensure a variety of textures in every bite.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar (natural), soy sauce (natural), toasted sesame oil (natural), honey or maple syrup (natural), grated ginger (natural), and minced garlic (natural) until smooth and well combined.
- Toss Salad Together: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken and chopped vegetables. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to evenly coat all ingredients for a balanced flavor throughout.
- Add Crunch and Herbs: Sprinkle toasted sliced almonds, lightly toasted sesame seeds, and chopped fresh cilantro on top to enhance texture and aroma just before serving.
Notes
- Cook chicken gently to keep it moist and tender; poaching with herbs is recommended.
- Slice all vegetables uniformly for consistent texture and flavor distribution.
- Adjust the sweetness and acidity of the dressing to your personal taste.
- Toss the salad only moments before serving to maintain crispness.
- Toast seeds and nuts just before garnishing for best flavor impact.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: Chinese chicken salad, fresh chicken salad, Asian salad, quick lunch, healthy salad, gluten free salad
