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This healthy, Asian chopped chicken salad recipe is bursting with bright flavors from crunchy cabbage, tender carrots, moist grilled chicken, and a homemade, sesame salad dressing that is swoon-worthy. Chinese chicken salads are so flavorful!
Healthy crunchy salads are the best especially when they are Asian-inspired. Flavorful veggies, almonds, sesame seeds, cilantro, and more are encompassed in this sweet and savory chicken salad recipe.
The sesame seed dressing is made of honey, robust ginger, tangy rice vinegar, and more for those Chinese-inspired flavors we all love. This delicious Asian chopped salad is perfect for whenever you want something light but filling at the same time.
Love Asian Inspired Recipes with chicken? Try our Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe.
why you’ll love this Recipe
- Quick and easy: This Asian chicken salad is naturally easy and so quick to put together. Grilled chicken breasts are quick to make within minutes on the grill or your grill pan.
- Delicious and packed with flavor: The aromatic delicious sesame dressing coats the entire fresh veggies which makes it filled with bright qualities and zesty flavors.
- Healthy with fiber and protein: In the mood for a salad but want the protein? The chicken adds protein to the vegetables which are loaded with fiber and energizing qualities.
ingredients You will need
- Olive oil: The olive oil is rich in flavor and is the perfect base for the chicken and salad dressing. The oil makes the chicken extra juicy and moist.
- Chicken breasts: Four, boneless skinless chicken breasts are grilled until done, chopped, then sprinkled throughout the salad.
- Salt and pepper: Kosher sea salt and pepper season the chicken until tasty. Adjust to your liking.
- Cabbage: Two types of cabbage are used in this recipe–napal and purple. The cabbage provides those extra crunchy textures throughout the Asian chicken salad.
- Carrots: Freshly shredded carrots are layered throughout the salad and make the salad extra colorful with pungent flavors.
- Cilantro: Leafy green cilantro is a bright herb and provides plenty of zest to the salad.
- Almonds: Sliced almonds are garnished atop the salad before serving for extra crunchy notes and nutty flavors. You can also use peanuts.
- Sesame seeds: Finish the salad by topping it with sesame seeds. You won’t regret it.
Sesame Salad Dressing
- Soy sauce: Silky, rich soy sauce creates a perfect base of savory notes to the homemade salad dressing.
- Rice vinegar: Rice vinegar is naturally tangy and pairs well with honey and sesame oil.
- Ginger: Fresh ginger root provides an aromatic quality to the sesame dressing. Fresh ginger is best!
- Honey: Sweet honey is mixed throughout the savory flavors and rounds the dressing out. Maple syrup works, too.
- Sesame oil: You can find this ingredient in most grocery stores near the other cooking oils.
- Salt and pepper: Use kosher sea salt and pepper to your liking.
how to make Asian chicken salad
First, preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken breasts, then sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper.
Grill the chicken for four minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Meanwhile, combine the shredded carrots and chopped cabbage in a large bowl. Cut the cooked chicken into one-inch cubes and add to the veggies.
Next, in a small bowl, whisk the soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, honey, and sesame until thoroughly whisked. Add salt and pepper if desired.
Pour the sesame salad dressing over the chicken and vegetables. Add the freshly chopped cilantro, then toss everything until well coated.
Finally, sprinkle the salad with sliced almonds and sesame seeds. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to eat.
recipe notes and tips
- Serve this Asian chicken salad as a main course or side to your other dishes. You can enjoy this salad for lunch or dinner!
- Save time by using a rotisserie chicken. No cooking is required.
- Use a preheated grill/grill pan.
- For extra fresh flavors, use freshly squeezed lemon juice over the salad.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce. For gluten-free lifestyles, use liquid coconut aminos.
- Top with cilantro and sliced almonds and sesame seeds.
- Feel free to toss in any other crunchy fresh vegetable. You can use up any vegetables you may have in the refrigerator.
frequently Asked Questions
As long as you use liquid coconut aminos, this Asian chicken salad is keto-friendly!
Commonly, most Asian-style dressings are made of sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, seasoning, and a sweetener.
Serve this salad by itself or alongside other fresh veggies, potatoes, pasta, zoodles, etc.
Yes! You can make this salad up to two days ahead of time. Save the dressing on the side until you are ready to serve. Then toss and enjoy.
A healthy salad combined nutrient-dense vegetables and protein into one. There are a ton of healthy salads out there that are filled with leafy greens and fiber.
What to Serve With Asian Chicken Salad
- Asian Cucumber Salad
- Cauliflower Wings
- Shrimp Fried Rice
- Kung Pao Shrimp
- Easy Three Beans Salad Recipe
- Oven-Roasted Veggies
variations and add Ons
There are a ton of ingredients you can use in this salad. How it is right now is delicious, but if you’d like to add some ingredients to mix things up, then here are some ideas:
- Bok choy
- Green papaya
- Grape tomatoes
- Pepitas
- Cashew nuts
- Crushed peanuts
- Mint
- Basil
- Chili peppers
Recipes YOu may also like
- Honey Sesame Chicken
- Healthier Pumpkin Muffins
- Chicken Fajitas
- Pesto Shrimp Zoodles
- Asian Chicken Cups Recipe
- Air Fryer Chicken Bites and Broccoli
- Cucumber Chickpea Salad Jar
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Asian Chopped Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 4 thin boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cups purple cabbage, chopped
- 3 cups napa or savoy cabbage, chopped
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- ¼ cup almonds, sliced
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, finely minced
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 2 tablespoon sesame oil
Instructions
- Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken breasts and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
- Grill for 4-5 minutes on each side or until cooked through.
- While the chicken is cooking, combine the cabbage and carrots in a large bowl.
- Cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces and add them to the vegetables.
- In a small bowl combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, ginger, honey, and sesame oil; whisk until combined. Add salt and pepper to taste if desired.
- Pour the dressing over the chicken and vegetables. Add the cilantro and toss to coat.
- Sprinkle the sesame seeds and almonds over the top of the salad and serve.
Notes
- Asian Chopped Chicken Salad can also be made as a dinner option. Adjust the servings below and prepare a big bowl for the whole family.
- To save time you could use rotisserie chicken.
- Use a preheated grill/grill pan.
- For an extra kick, add a spritz of lime juice.
- Ideally, go for low-sodium soy sauce.
- Top with cilantro sliced almonds and sesame seeds.
- Feel free to toss in any other crunchy fresh veg. Great for using up any veggies in the fridge.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
One of my favorite I make it the same like your ingredients
Thanks. Glad you liked it