Description
Asian Chicken Salad is a fresh, colorful, and satisfying salad combining tender cooked chicken breast with crisp romaine lettuce, shredded cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, cucumber, green onions, cilantro, and edamame. Tossed in a zesty sesame dressing made from soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, olive oil, honey, lime juice, garlic, ginger, and black pepper, this salad is finished with crunchy sliced almonds and sesame seeds for texture. Perfect for a light lunch, dinner, or meal prep, it offers a delightful balance of savory, sweet, tangy, and nutty flavors.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, sliced or shredded
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- 1 medium carrot, julienned or shredded
- 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 medium cucumber, sliced or diced
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- ½ cup shelled edamame (cooked and cooled)
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
Dressing Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Slice or shred the cooked chicken breast into bite-sized pieces, making it easy to toss and eat within the salad.
- Prepare the Vegetables: Chop the romaine lettuce and place it into a large salad bowl. Add shredded cabbage, carrots, bell pepper slices, sliced green onions, diced cucumber, chopped cilantro, and cooked edamame to the bowl with the lettuce.
- Add the Chicken: Add the prepared chicken pieces to the vegetable mixture and toss gently to combine the ingredients evenly.
- Make the Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, olive oil, honey, fresh lime juice, minced garlic, grated ginger, and freshly ground black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad bowl and toss all ingredients thoroughly until everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Add Crunchy Toppings: Sprinkle sliced almonds and sesame seeds over the salad. Toss once more gently to distribute the crunchy toppings evenly.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately for the best fresh texture and flavor. If preparing ahead, keep the dressing and toppings separate until ready to serve.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken as a convenient ready-made protein option.
- Store salad and dressing separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Add Sriracha or fresh chili peppers to the dressing for a spicy kick.
- Substitute chicken with grilled shrimp, salmon, tofu, or sliced steak for variety.
- Include fruits like mandarin oranges, mango, or pineapple for a sweet contrast.
- Use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari to make the salad gluten-free.
- Swap almonds with cashews, peanuts, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds for different crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian
