If you’re looking for a crunchy, colorful, and utterly craveable meal, Chinese Chicken Salad should be at the very top of your menu. With juicy shredded chicken, a rainbow of crisp veggies, a tangy sesame-soy dressing, and a delightful garnish of crispy noodles and almonds, this dish is a celebration of flavor and texture in each bite. Whether you’re making lunch for friends, prepping a light weeknight dinner, or just searching for a salad that’s as vibrant as it is delicious, this one truly checks all the boxes. There’s a reason I keep coming back to this Chinese Chicken Salad again and again!

Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this Chinese Chicken Salad plays a starring role, bringing bold flavor, crunch, or color to your bowl. The best part? The lineup is straightforward, and each element is easy to find in most grocery stores. Here’s how each ingredient helps create salad magic.

Shredded Chicken: Rotisserie or grilled chicken makes this salad extra hearty; using leftover chicken is a fantastic shortcut!
Napa Cabbage: This classic adds a delicate crunch and a hint of sweetness to the mix—essential for that signature Chinese Chicken Salad bite.
Romaine Lettuce: Keeps things super crisp and fresh, and forms a satisfying base for all those toppings.
Red Cabbage: The tiny addition of red cabbage gives the salad a pop of color and an extra dose of crunch.
Shredded Carrots: Bright, sweet, and packed with fiber—these make every forkful prettier and tastier.
Sliced Green Onions: For a gentle onion bite and a dash of green freshness throughout the dish.
Crispy Chow Mein Noodles: Those irresistible golden noodles add an iconic crunch you won’t want to skip!
Sliced Almonds (Toasted): Toasted almonds bring nuttiness and a little extra protein—don’t be shy with them!
Sesame Seeds (Optional): A sprinkle of sesame seeds adds the perfect finishing touch of flavor and visual flair.
Rice Vinegar: The tangy backbone for your creamy-sweet sesame dressing.
Soy Sauce: Adds saltiness and that deep, savory flavor we all know and love.
Sesame Oil: Just a drizzle creates the most hypnotic aroma and depth of flavor.
Honey: A touch of natural sweetness balances out the savory, salty, and tangy components.
Vegetable Oil: Neutral and light, it rounds out the dressing without overpowering the sesame notes.
Fresh Ginger (Grated): Brings zing and punch to the homemade dressing!
Garlic (Minced): Perfumes the salad with a little bite—just enough to make you hungry as you whisk.
Red Pepper Flakes (Optional): For those who like a tiny kick of heat, a small pinch goes a long way.

How to Make Chinese Chicken Salad

Step 1: Gather and Prep the Veggies

Start by shredding your napa cabbage, romaine lettuce, and red cabbage. Don’t forget to give your carrots a good wash and peel, then grate them or use pre-shredded if you’re in a hurry. Slice the green onions thinly. This step is all about embracing that fresh, crunchy base—if your ingredients are cold and crisp, your Chinese Chicken Salad will be restaurant-level good!

Step 2: Shred or Pull the Chicken

Use rotisserie, grilled, or leftover cooked chicken—just shred it or pull it apart with your hands or two forks. The more tender and juicy the chicken, the better your salad will taste. This is a great use for meal-prepped chicken and helps the salad come together quickly.

Step 3: Mix the Salad Base

In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, napa cabbage, romaine, red cabbage, carrots, and green onions. Toss with clean hands or tongs until all those beautiful colors and textures are mingling. This is when the salad really comes alive!

Step 4: Whisk the Dressing

In a small bowl or jar, add rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, vegetable oil, grated ginger, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using). Whisk or shake well until everything is thoroughly combined. Taste the dressing—add a touch of salt, extra honey, or a dash more vinegar if you like it tangier or sweeter. You’ll want every drop for maximum flavor!

Step 5: Dress the Salad

Pour the dressing evenly over your chicken and veggie mixture. Toss everything together until well coated. The dressing should lightly cover everything, infusing each bite with savory-tangy goodness.

Step 6: Add the Crunchy Toppings

Just before serving, sprinkle the crispy chow mein noodles, toasted sliced almonds, and sesame seeds across the top. Crunchy garnishes make every forkful exciting—it’s the signature textural contrast that makes Chinese Chicken Salad so iconic. Serve chilled or at room temperature for the freshest taste.

How to Serve Chinese Chicken Salad

Garnishes

Garnishing your Chinese Chicken Salad is more than just an afterthought—it’s how you turn a tasty salad into an absolute showstopper. Go generous with crunchy chow mein noodles, a sprinkle of toasted almonds, and sesame seeds for both flavor and visual impact. If you’re feeling fancy, add a few extra green onions or even a handful of fresh cilantro leaves for color and freshness.

Side Dishes

This salad plays well with so many sides. I love pairing it with steamed dumplings, hot-and-sour soup, or a simple bowl of jasmine rice on the side. If you want a crowd-pleasing appetizer, serve spring rolls or crispy wontons—either way, your Chinese Chicken Salad will be the main attraction!

Creative Ways to Present

For a party or potluck, try serving the salad in lettuce cups for a fun finger-food spin, or plate individual portions in small bowls for a restaurant-style look. And if you want a little sweetness, toss in a handful of mandarin orange segments just before serving. Edamame and thinly sliced radishes are also beautiful additions for color and nutrition. There are so many ways to bring your own twist to this Chinese Chicken Salad.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just note that the crunchy toppings will soften over time, so it’s best to add extra chow mein noodles and almonds right before enjoying. Properly stored, the salad base keeps well for up to 2 days, making it perfect for quick lunches.

Freezing

While you can technically freeze the cooked chicken by itself, the full salad (especially with cabbage and dressing) doesn’t freeze well. The veggies lose their crunch after thawing. If you want to plan ahead, freeze shredded chicken separately, then assemble fresh salad when you’re ready.

Reheating

There’s no need to reheat Chinese Chicken Salad—it’s meant to be served cold or at room temperature. If you’ve stored leftovers in the fridge, just set the salad out for 10–15 minutes before serving to take off the chill for the best flavor and texture.

FAQs

Can I use a different type Salad

Absolutely! Grilled, poached, roasted, or even leftover rotisserie chicken all work beautifully in this Chinese Chicken Salad. You can even use turkey if that’s what you have on hand.

What other vegetables can I add?

You can mix things up with bell peppers, snap peas, cucumbers, or edamame. Thinly sliced radishes, baby spinach, or a few handfuls of arugula also add extra crunch and color. Mandarin oranges are a classic sweet touch.

Is this salad gluten-free?

It’s easy to make gluten-free—just swap in tamari or coconut aminos for the soy sauce, and use gluten-free crispy noodles or skip them altogether. Double-check all packaged ingredients to ensure they meet your dietary needs.

How long can I keep the dressing?

The homemade sesame dressing stays fresh for up to a week in a sealed jar in the fridge. Just give it a good shake before each use, as the ingredients may separate over time.

Can I make the Chinese Chicken Salad ahead of time?

Yes! Mix the salad base and dressing separately, storing each in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, toss them together and add the crunchy toppings for the best flavor and texture. This makes meal prep or entertaining a breeze.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a meal that’s bright, bold, and guaranteed to leave you satisfied, this Chinese Chicken Salad is the answer. It’s incredibly easy to pull together and bursts with flavors and textures that keep you coming back for just one more bite. Give it a try and share the crunchy, fresh goodness with friends or family—it might just become your new favorite, too!

Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 23 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

A delicious and refreshing Chinese Chicken Salad with a flavorful sesame dressing, topped with crunchy chow mein noodles and almonds. This salad is perfect for a light and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Salad Ingredients:

3 cups cooked, shredded chicken
4 cups napa cabbage, shredded
2 cups romaine lettuce, shredded
1 cup red cabbage, shredded
1 cup shredded carrots
1/2 cup sliced green onions

Additional Toppings:

1/2 cup crispy chow mein noodles
1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)

For the Dressing:

1/4 cup rice vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 garlic clove, minced
Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

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Instructions

Prepare the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, napa cabbage, romaine, red cabbage, carrots, and green onions.
Make the Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk or shake together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, vegetable oil, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes until well blended.
Combine and Serve: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated. Top with crispy chow mein noodles, toasted almonds, and sesame seeds just before serving. Serve chilled or at room temperature.