Asian-Inspired Chicken Salad: A Burst of Flavor in Every Bite
If you’re a fan of bold, vibrant flavors and fresh ingredients, this Asian-Inspired Chicken Salad is about to become your new favorite meal! Packed with crunchy veggies, tender chicken, and a tangy sesame ginger dressing, it’s the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and slightly spicy. Whether you’re looking for a light lunch, a healthy dinner, or a dish to impress your guests, this salad checks all the boxes.
Why You’ll Love Asian-Inspired Chicken Salad
🍗 Protein-Packed and Satisfying
Grilled chicken adds a hearty protein boost to this fresh and nutritious salad.
🥗 A Medley of Textures
From the crisp cabbage and carrots to the tender chicken and crunchy wonton strips, every bite is a delight.
🌱 Nutritious and Fresh
Loaded with vegetables and topped with a light dressing, this salad is as healthy as it is flavorful.
🕒 Quick and Easy
With just a few simple steps, you can have this salad ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy days.
Ingredients for Asian-Inspired Chicken Salad
For the Salad:
- 2 cups napa cabbage, shredded 🥬
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast, thinly sliced or shredded 🍗
- 1/2 cup carrots, julienned 🥕
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, thinly sliced 🫑
- 1/2 cup edamame, shelled
- 1/4 cup green onions, thinly sliced 🧅
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 🌿
- 1/4 cup crispy wonton strips (optional for crunch)
For the Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons sesame oil 🥄
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey 🍯
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced 🧄
- 1/2 teaspoon sriracha (optional for spice)
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for garnish)
Instructions for Asian-Inspired Chicken Salad
1️⃣ Prepare the Ingredients
Wash and shred the napa cabbage and julienne the carrots. Thinly slice the bell peppers and green onions. Chop the cilantro and set all the veggies aside.
2️⃣ Cook the Chicken
Grill or pan-sear the chicken breast until fully cooked, then slice it into thin strips or shred it. For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, sesame oil, and ginger before cooking.
3️⃣ Make the Dressing
In a small bowl, whisk together sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, grated ginger, minced garlic, and sriracha (if using). Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
4️⃣ Assemble the Salad
In a large salad bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, carrots, bell peppers, edamame, and green onions. Add the sliced chicken on top.
5️⃣ Add the Dressing
Drizzle the sesame ginger dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
6️⃣ Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle sesame seeds, chopped cilantro, and crispy wonton strips over the salad for added texture and flavor. Serve immediately and enjoy this delicious, refreshing dish!
Tips for the Perfect Asian-Inspired Chicken Salad
🌟 Use Fresh Ingredients
Fresh, crisp vegetables and high-quality chicken make a big difference in the overall taste and texture.
🍗 Marinate the Chicken
For maximum flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 15 minutes before cooking. You can use soy sauce, sesame oil, and ginger as a simple marinade.
🍋 Adjust the Dressing
Feel free to tweak the dressing to suit your taste. Add more honey for sweetness, sriracha for heat, or rice vinegar for tanginess.
🥗 Add More Crunch
If you love crunchy textures, try adding toasted almonds, peanuts, or crispy wonton strips to the salad.
Variations to Try
- Vegetarian Option: Replace the chicken with tofu, tempeh, or even roasted chickpeas for a plant-based twist.
- Fruit Addition: Add mandarin orange slices or mango chunks for a sweet and tangy kick.
- Noodle Base: Swap the cabbage for cooked rice noodles to turn this into an Asian-inspired noodle salad.
Why It’s a Crowd-Pleaser
This Asian-Inspired Chicken Salad is not just a meal—it’s an experience! The combination of crunchy veggies, tender chicken, and a zesty dressing will make your taste buds dance. Perfect for everything from a quick weekday meal to a party side dish, it’s versatile, easy to make, and guaranteed to impress.
Try it out today, and bring a burst of Asian-inspired flavors to your table.
Asian-Inspired Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- For the Salad:
- 2 cups napa cabbage shredded 🥬
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast thinly sliced or shredded 🍗
- 1/2 cup carrots julienned 🥕
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper thinly sliced 🫑
- 1/2 cup edamame shelled
- 1/4 cup green onions thinly sliced 🧅
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped 🌿
- 1/4 cup crispy wonton strips optional for crunch
- For the Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons sesame oil 🥄
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey 🍯
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced 🧄
- 1/2 teaspoon sriracha optional for spice
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
- 1️⃣ Prepare the Salad Ingredients:
- Wash and shred the napa cabbage. Julienne the carrots and thinly slice the red bell pepper and green onions. Chop the cilantro and set everything aside.
- 2️⃣ Cook the Chicken:
- Grill or pan-sear the chicken breast until fully cooked. Let it cool slightly, then slice into thin strips or shred. For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in soy sauce, sesame oil, and ginger before cooking.
- 3️⃣ Make the Dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, grated ginger, minced garlic, and sriracha. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- 4️⃣ Assemble the Salad:
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, julienned carrots, red bell peppers, edamame, and green onions. Add the cooked chicken on top.
- 5️⃣ Add the Dressing:
- Drizzle the sesame ginger dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.
- 6️⃣ Garnish and Serve:
- Top the salad with crispy wonton strips, sesame seeds, and chopped cilantro. Serve immediately and enjoy this fresh and flavorful dish!
