Crispy Chinese Chicken Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing

The BEST Chinese Chicken Salad made with shredded chicken, napa cabbage, crisp romaine lettuce, mandarin oranges, crunchy almonds, and a homemade ginger sesame dressing. Fresh, easy, and meal-prep friendly!

If you want a bright, satisfying salad that’s simple to make and perfect for meal prep, this Chinese Chicken Salad is an ideal choice. It combines shredded chicken with crisp romaine, tender napa cabbage, sweet mandarin oranges, julienned carrots, red bell pepper, fresh cilantro, green onions and crunchy sliced almonds, all tossed in a vibrant ginger-sesame dressing. The flavors are balanced—sweet, savory, tangy and nutty—and the textures range from crisp to tender, making this salad a favorite for lunches, potlucks, or quick weeknight dinners.

Why You’ll Love This Chinese Chicken Salad

• Fresh, crunchy ingredients – a mix of romaine and napa cabbage with crisp vegetables and toasted nuts gives an excellent mouthfeel.
• Balanced and healthy – lean protein from chicken, fiber-rich vegetables, and healthy fats from olive and sesame oils make this salad filling without being heavy.
• Versatile dressing – the homemade ginger-sesame dressing is flavorful enough to use on other salads, grain bowls, or as a marinade.
• Meal prep friendly – you can make the dressing ahead and keep the components separate until serving for the best texture.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Cooked shredded chicken – rotisserie chicken is an easy shortcut. Any shredded or chopped cooked chicken breast or thigh works.
• Romaine lettuce – thinly chopped for a crisp base. Iceberg or extra cabbage can substitute if preferred.
• Napa cabbage – thinly sliced for light crunch. You can combine with red cabbage for color and extra texture.
• Carrots – julienned or shredded to add natural sweetness and bright color.
• Red bell pepper – thinly sliced for freshness and color contrast.
• Mandarin oranges – drained if canned, or segmented if using fresh mandarins or tangerines.
• Green onions – chopped for a mild allium note.
• Cilantro – chopped, to brighten the overall flavor.
• Sliced almonds – or cashews/peanuts; toasting them briefly in a dry skillet intensifies the crunch and flavor.
• Sesame seeds (optional) – for garnish.

Ingredients for Ginger-Sesame Dressing

• Rice wine vinegar – gives a clean tang that brightens the dressing.
• Reduced sodium soy sauce – provides savory depth; tamari or coconut aminos can be used to make it gluten-free.
• Garlic and fresh grated ginger – fresh is best for the most vibrant flavor.
• Honey – balances the acidity with a touch of natural sweetness; maple syrup is an alternative.
• Sesame oil – a small amount adds a nutty aroma and flavor.
• Olive oil – or avocado oil to round out the dressing and help it emulsify.

How to Make Chinese Chicken Salad

1. Make the dressing: Combine rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, minced garlic, honey, grated fresh ginger, sesame oil and olive oil in a small jar with a sealed lid. Shake or whisk until well combined. Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity.
2. Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, chopped romaine, napa cabbage, carrots, red bell pepper, green onions, cilantro, and mandarin orange segments.
3. Toss and serve: Pour the dressing over the salad just before serving and toss gently to coat. Sprinkle with toasted sliced almonds and sesame seeds if desired.

Tips for the Best Result

• Use pre-cooked chicken: Rotisserie chicken saves time and adds flavor, but any cooked chicken works.
• Slice vegetables thinly: Thin ribbons of romaine and napa cabbage, plus julienned carrots, ensure every bite has a good balance of ingredients.
• Toast the nuts: Toast sliced almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–5 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden. Cool before adding to the salad.
• Keep dressing separate: Store dressing apart and toss the salad only when ready to serve to avoid sogginess.
• Drain mandarins well: If using canned mandarins, drain thoroughly so the dressing doesn’t get diluted.
• Taste and adjust: Before dressing the salad, taste the vinaigrette and add a touch more honey for sweetness, more vinegar for brightness, or extra ginger for zing.

Variations and Substitutions

• Extra crunch: Add crunchy wonton strips, chow mein noodles, crushed ramen noodles or toasted seeds.
• Alternate proteins: Swap chicken for grilled shrimp, salmon, thinly sliced steak, tofu or edamame for a vegetarian option.
• More vegetables: Add snap peas, cucumber, shredded zucchini, purple cabbage, shredded Brussels sprouts or avocado to increase volume and nutrition.
• Gluten-free option: Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
• Add heat: Stir a little sriracha, chili garlic sauce or crushed red pepper into the dressing for a spicy kick.

Frequently Asked Questions

Prepping and Storage Tips

• Prep ahead: Make dressing up to 5 days ahead and refrigerate in a sealed jar. Chop vegetables and shred chicken up to 2 days ahead; store separately.
• Storage: Undressed salad ingredients last 3–4 days in an airtight container. Once dressed, enjoy within 24 hours for the best texture, although leftovers remain tasty.

Recipe: Chinese Chicken Salad (Serves 6)

Salad Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie recommended)
• 2 cups romaine lettuce, thinly chopped
• 2 cups napa cabbage, thinly chopped
• 1 cup carrots, julienned or shredded
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup green onions, chopped
• 1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 cup mandarin oranges, drained
• 1/3 cup sliced almonds (or cashews)
• Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)

Ginger-Sesame Dressing

• 3 tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 2 tbsp reduced sodium soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp fresh grated ginger
• 2 tsp sesame oil
• 3 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Combine the dressing ingredients in a small jar with a sealed lid and shake or whisk until combined. Adjust seasoning to taste.
2. In a large bowl, combine the chopped lettuce, napa cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, green onions, cilantro, mandarin oranges, shredded chicken and almonds.
3. Drizzle the ginger-sesame dressing over the salad and toss gently until everything is evenly coated. Garnish with sesame seeds if desired and serve immediately.

Enjoy this Chinese Chicken Salad as a fresh, flavorful meal option that holds up well for meal prep. If you try it, consider rating the recipe and sharing your favorite variation.