Description
A fresh and vibrant Asian-Inspired Chicken Salad tossed with a flavorful sesame ginger dressing, packed with crisp vegetables, tender shredded chicken, and garnished with crunchy nuts and sesame seeds. This easy-to-make salad is perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner, combining healthy ingredients and bold flavors in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil
- 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons lite soy sauce or Tamari
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 heaping teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
Salad
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup chopped cucumber
- 1 cup edamame, shelled
- 1 avocado, diced
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup chopped mint
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1/3 cup chopped peanuts or cashews
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- Chili crunch, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the avocado or olive oil, lite soy sauce or Tamari, rice wine vinegar, honey, sesame oil, minced garlic, freshly grated ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes until well combined and smooth.
- Prepare the salad base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, shredded cabbage, shredded carrots, chopped cucumber, edamame, diced avocado, sliced green onions, chopped cilantro, chopped mint, and sesame seeds.
- Combine and toss: Pour the prepared sesame ginger dressing over the salad ingredients. Toss thoroughly to ensure everything is evenly coated with the dressing.
- Garnish and season: Sprinkle the chopped peanuts or cashews on top for added crunch. Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with kosher salt and black pepper as needed. Optionally, serve with a drizzle of chili crunch for extra heat.
Notes
- You can substitute shredded rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut.
- Use tamari instead of soy sauce to make this recipe gluten free.
- Edamame can be fresh or frozen; if frozen, thaw before adding.
- Adjust the amount of crushed red pepper flakes and chili crunch to control the spice level.
- This salad is best served immediately to enjoy the fresh textures, but it can be refrigerated for up to one day.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian
