Description
A vibrant and refreshing Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad featuring tender cooked chicken, crisp mixed greens, sweet dried cranberries, and crunchy nuts all tossed in a tangy sesame-ginger dressing. Perfect for a quick, healthy lunch or light dinner with a delightful balance of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced)
- 4 cups mixed greens (spinach, arugula, romaine)
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup red cabbage, thinly sliced
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ⅓ cup sliced almonds or chopped peanuts
- 2 green onions, chopped
Dressing Ingredients
- 3 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Salad: In a large bowl, combine mixed greens, shredded carrots, red cabbage, dried cranberries, almonds or peanuts, and chopped green onions. Mix these ingredients gently so they are well distributed.
- Add the Chicken: Fold in the cooked shredded or diced chicken carefully, ensuring that the chicken mixes evenly with the salad ingredients without breaking apart too much.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey (or maple syrup), freshly grated ginger, and minced garlic. Season the dressing with salt and pepper to taste, balancing the flavors to your preference.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture and toss thoroughly until every ingredient is evenly coated with the dressing for maximum flavor.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately for the freshest taste or refrigerate it for up to 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld more deeply before enjoying.
Notes
- This salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor.
- Use tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free option.
- Substitute almonds with peanuts or other nuts based on preference or allergies.
- Honey can be replaced with maple syrup for a vegan-friendly version.
- Adjust seasoning and dressing quantities based on taste and serving size.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian
