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This easy Chinese Chicken salad recipe is drizzled and tossed with homemade Asian-infused dressing to bring out all the flavors of the fresh cabbages, sliced green onions, and tender chicken. If you are looking for the perfect Chinese lunch dish, you come to the right place!

A Chinese Chicken Salad on a white wood tablescape surrounded by green onion, ginger, sesame seeds, and crunchy noodles.

Need a dish to bring with you? With Spring approaching, having a list of quick and simply delish salads on hand is a great way to be ready! And I guarantee everyone at the gathering will be coming back for second helpings. And here is the kicker; It is easy to double and triple this recipe for a crowd!

Need some more salad recipes to add to that list? Try Tex-Mex Chicken Chopped Salad, this Pea Salad Recipe, or my Kale Crunch Salad (Chick-fil-A Copycat).

Ingredient Notes

Labeled ingredients needed to make Chinese chicken salad.

Dressing

  • Avocado Oil: Use your favorite neutral oil for this Asian salad so the flavor of the oil does not overpower. You can also use olive oil.
  • Rice Wine Vinegar: Rice vinegar is the choice in Asian recipes for a light sweet vinegar that won’t overpower the dressing.
  • Soy Sauce: I prefer to use a low-sodium soy sauce for this fresh salad recipe.
  • Sesame Seed Oil: Sesame oil adds that Chinese flavor to the dressing.
  • Ginger and Garlic: Peel and grate the fresh ginger. Then peel and mince the fresh garlic cloves.
  • Honey: Add a touch of sweetness to your dressing with your choice of honey brand.
  • Black Pepper and Coarse Kosher Salt: Balance all the flavors with a bit of salt and pepper seasoning.

Salad Ingredients

  • Green Cabbage and Red Cabbage: Cut the cabbage into bite-sized strips.
  • Chicken: Use your favorite cooked tender chicken cut into cubes.
  • Carrots: Peel and grate crunchy carrots to add sweet flavor and more color.
  • Toppings: Add crunchy noodles or wonton strips, sliced green onions and/or sesame seeds to garnish your salad and add crunchy goodness!

Variations and Substitutions

  • More Veggies: Feel free to add defrosted frozen peas or corn, water chestnuts, shredded cucumber, or even sweet mandarin oranges.​ You can even toss in some spring mix or romaine lettuce for more leafy greens.
  • Change the Protein: This salad would be a hit with grilled shrimp or even gorgeous salmon!
  • Crispy Toppings: Instead of the Chinese crunchy noodles, you could use broken-up raw ramen noodles or fried wontons. Ooh, sesame seeds or toasted sliced almonds would be fantastic, too!

How To Make Easy Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe

✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and full recipe instructions!

  1. Prep the ingredients: Get ready to toss the salad by peeling, chopping, dicing, and mincing all the veggies for the dish. 
  2. Mix the Chinese Salad Dressing: Take out a large bowl and add the dressing ingredients. Mix them together with a whisk until fully combined. 

    Collage image showing steps to make dressing.
  3. Toss in the Veggies: When ready to serve, add all the colorful salad ingredients, then toss the fresh veggies together with tongs or spoons. 
    Then pile in your cooked chicken and toss that into the mix.

    Collage image showing steps to add salad ingredients.
  4. Add crunch when ready to serve: Toss in half of the crunchy good toppings like chow mein noodles, green onions, and sesame seeds. Then, top the dressed salad with the remainder of the toppings.

    Chinese chicken salad tossed and then garnished with sesame seeds and crunchy noodles.

Tips

  • For easy dressing mixing or to make extra dressing for later, add the dressing ingredients to a jar with a lid and shake until combined. Then store the leftover dressing in the fridge.
  • To make this salad ahead of time, add the salad ingredients to a large bowl with a lid. Store it in the fridge along with a jar of the dressing. Leave the crispy noodles out of the salad mix and garnishes off until ready to serve.
An Asian Chicken salad in a white serving bowl.

Recipe FAQs

What is the best chicken to use for this recipe?

Feel free to use any pre-cooked chicken you would like. Rotisserie chicken remains one of my favorites as it is flavorful and convenient. But you can also use leftover chicken or sautee some chicken breasts in a bit of butter, salt, and pepper. You can even use fried chicken strips or bites for even more crunchy texture.

Can I make homemade crispy wonton strips? 

Fried wonton strips are surprisingly easy! Make up a batch of wonton strips by taking wonton wrappers and cutting them into evenly sized strips. Fry them in oil until golden brown and drain on a paper towel. That’s it!

Is this a good vegan or vegetarian recipe?

With one easy adjustment, this is a superb recipe for all your vegetarian or Vegan friends. Just omit the chicken!

Storage

Keep the leftovers of this Chicken Salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days- Just take off or leave off the crispy toppings so they do not get soggy.

Black chopsticks picking up a bite of chinese chicken salad.

What to Serve with Chinese Chicken Salad with Chicken

There are so many things you could add to make this meal complete! But it is really a complete meal in a bowl. Try adding a fresh platter of Perfect Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs, or a side dish of Air Fryer Corn Ribs.

Plate these Sweet Dijon Pecan Baked Brie Bites as an appetizer to the meal and add a bowl of soy sauce to dip them in.

More Asian Dinner Recipes to try:

Hungry for more easy, home-cooked, delicious recipes?

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A bowl of Chinese Chicken Salad in a white bowl.
Recipe
5 from 5 votes

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Chinese Chicken Salad

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Nikki Lee
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This easy Chinese Chicken salad recipe is drizzled and tossed with homemade Asian-infused dressing to bring out all the flavors of the fresh cabbages, sliced green onions, and tender chicken.

Ingredients 

Dressing Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons avocado oil, or favorite neutral oil
  • 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoons sesame seed oil
  • 2 teaspoons ginger, peeled and grated
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon corse kosher salt
  • 1 garlic clove, minced

Sald Ingredients

  • 4 cups green cabbage strips
  • 1 ½ cups red cabbage strips
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, cubed
  • 1 cup grated carrots
  • 1 cup crunchy noodles or wonton strips, divided
  • ¾ cup green onion, sliced or chopped
  • 2 teaspoons sesame seeds, divided

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, add the dressing ingredients. Mix with a whisk until fully combined.
    (Dressing ingredients can also be added to a jar with a lid and shaken until combined. This is perfect for adding dressing to individual servings or for later use.)
  • If serving immediately, add salad ingredients (green and red cabbages, chicken, carrots, ¾ cup crunchy noodles, ½ cup green onions, and 1 teaspoon sesame seeds); then toss together with tongs or spoons.
    (When preparing for later use, add the above salad ingredients (minus the crispy noodles) to a separate large serving bowl, cover, and refrigerate separately from the dressing. Add noodles and toss with dressing when ready to serve.)
  • Top with the remainder of the crunchy noodles, green onions, and sesame seeds. Enjoy!

Nutritional Disclaimer

Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

©️Soulfully Made

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Nikki Lee author of Soulfully Made in the kitchen serving cupcakes.

Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer

Hi, I’m Nikki Lee. Here at Soulfully Made you will find delicious, home-cooked, easy recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen.

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