Asian Chicken Salad Recipe (2024)

4.89 from 9 votes

Posted by Wendy Polisi

This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions are my own.

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This Asian Chicken Salad Recipe is big on flavor and my go-to main course salad recipe. Crisp Napa cabbage, sturdy kale, shredded chicken, green onions, and carrots combine perfectly with tender rice noodles, creamy avocado, and sesame seeds for a refreshing blend of texture and taste that never gets old. This salad is such a satisfying meal.

Asian Chicken Salad Recipe (1)

If you love a good, hearty salad, this Asian Chicken Salad is for you.

It has become my go-to lunch because it is the perfect blend of a healthy salad and a touch of pasta that I find so satisfying. (Because pasta makes any meal better.)

This salad is fabulous if you are trying to meal prep because everything but the avocado holds well in the fridge. I've even tossed the salad ahead of time (sans the avocado), and it was still amazing.

Asian Chicken Salad Recipe (2)

Ingredients for Making Asian Salad with Chicken

  • Napa Cabbage: Look for fresh colors. When cabbages develop a dull exterior, it is a sign that they have been sitting too long. Napa Cabbage is more perishable than red cabbage or green cabbage, so don't plan to store it for too long.
  • Kale: Kale should have a vibrant, deep green color with firm leaves. Look for a bunch that doesn't have yellowing or browning. For the most tender leaves, look for thin stems. You can use either curly kale or Tuscan kale for this recipe. To store, wrap in paper towels and place them inside an open plastic bag.
  • Chicken: I cooked boneless chicken breast, but you could use chicken thighs. Save time by picking up a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store.
  • Carrots: Look for small to medium-sized carrots. Larger ones are often tough and don't have as much flavor. If you can find them with greens attached that are perky, get those, as they will likely be the freshest. They will keep for up to a week in the refrigerator.
  • Avocado: If you are prepping this recipe ahead of time, wait to cut the avocado until just before serving.
  • Scallions: Look for firm stalks with healthy-looking roots and dark green tops. They will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week.
  • Sesame Seeds: You can use white sesame seeds, black, or a blend.
  • Asian Salad Dressing: This homemade Asian chicken salad dressing takes the flavors of this healthy Chinese chicken salad to the next level. With sesame oil, rice vinegar, garlic, tamari, and fresh ginger, this one will surely leave your taste buds singing. Feel free to use soy sauce or coconut aminos if you prefer.

Variations

  • Skip the pasta and use crispy wontons instead.
  • Add mandarin oranges and red pepper.
  • Use sliced almonds instead of sesame seeds. (Or go crazy and use both!)

Tips & Tricks

  • If you are making this ahead of time but don't plan on tossing it until the last minute, I recommend tossing the rice noodles with a touch of olive oil to keep them soft. Alternatively, you can store them in a container filled with water and drain them at the last minute.
  • Easily make this a vegan Asian Salad by substituting cooked tempeh for the chicken. This Marinated Peanut Tempeh looks fantastic.
  • Short on time? You can use a bag of coleslaw mix to make this recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can you store chopped cabbage?


If stored properly, chopped cabbage will last 3-5 days in the fridge.

How do you shred cabbage?


You can shred cabbage by hand with a sharp knife or using a food processor. If using a food processor, fitted with the shredding attachment, shred on the medium to fine setting.

How do you keep kale fresh longer?


To store kale, wrap it in paper towels and place them inside an open plastic bag.

How do you keep Chinese Chicken Salad crisp?


The best way to keep this Chinese chicken salad recipe crisp is to store the ingredients separately and toss everything together just before serving. The dressing can also be made ahead of time and stored in a separate container.

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Asian Chicken Salad Recipe (3)

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Asian Chicken Salad Recipe (4)

Asian Chicken Salad Recipe (5)

Print Recipe

4.89 from 9 votes

Asian Chicken Salad

This Asian Chicken Salad makes the perfect weekday lunch! You can toss everything except the avocado ahead of time making it perfect for your busy work week.

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time5 minutes mins

Total Time25 minutes mins

Course: Main Course, Salad

Cuisine: Chinese, Gluten Free, Healthy

Keyword: Asian, asian dressing

Servings: 4

Calories: 353kcal

Ingredients

  • 3.5 ounces Napa Cabbage shredded, about ½ head
  • 3.5 ounces Kale shredded, about 1 small bunch
  • 16 ounces chicken cooked and shredded
  • 1 cup carrots grated
  • 4 ounces rice noodles cooked according to package directions
  • 2 scallions sliced
  • 1 avocado peeled, pitted and diced
  • 2 tablespoon sesame seeds
  • Asian Dressing for Serving

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Combine cabbage, kale, chicken, carrots and rice noodles in a large bowl.

  • Toss with Asian Dressing.

  • Top with scallions, avocado, and sesame seeds and serve.

Notes

Tips:

  • If you are making this ahead of time but don't plan on tossing it until the last minute, I would recommend tossing the rice noodles with a touch of olive oil to keep them soft. Alternatively, you can store them in a container filled with water and drain at the last minute.
  • Easily make this a vegan Asian Salad by substituting cooked tempeh for the chicken. This Marinated Peanut Tempeh looks amazing.
  • Short on time? Use a purchased salad dressing. I really like Newman's own Sesame Ginger Dressing.

Nutrition

Calories: 353kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 128mg | Potassium: 627mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 8100IU | Vitamin C: 39.4mg | Calcium: 115mg | Iron: 2.3mg

Filed Under:

Chicken RecipesGluten Free RecipesSalad Recipes

More Salad Recipes

  • Strawberry Goat Cheese Salad with Pecans
  • 10-Minute Spinach Arugula Salad
  • 10-Minute Arugula Burrata Salad
  • Kale and Wild Rice Salad

About Wendy Polisi

Hi, I’m Wendy! I’m a cook, 5 time cookbook author, blogger, natural health enthusiast…and most importantly a mom. My boys are 18 & 19 and my late life princess is 10.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Comment & Rate this Recipe

  1. Joanna

    This salad sounds so fresh and fragrant, besides being full of vitamins and antioxidants. I always add avocado in my salads as well, no matter what kind I make. It's definitely a great lunch meal.

    Reply

  2. Sarah Bailey

    Oh now this sounds delicious, I always think chicken goes so well with salad and I love the idea of making it this way.

    Reply

  3. Tara Pittman

    I love avocados on salad. The dressing sounds delicious.

    Reply

  4. Bona

    This salad looks enticing. 🙂 I would love to try your recipe, I love avocados but I'm afraid I have to wait for the 'avocado season' before I can make this. Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply

  5. Linda

    That salad is a feast for the eyes and it looks so healthy too. I love the idea of adding mandarins and almonds.

    Reply

  6. Carrie | Clean Eating Kitchen

    Asian Chicken Salad Recipe (10)
    I love salads like this! Packed full of flavor and healthy to boot!

    Reply

  7. Marissa Zurfluh

    Asian Chicken Salad Recipe (11)
    This salad is worthy of my list! I love the ingredients you chose!

    Reply

  8. Ada

    This salad looks so yummy! I need to try making this soon.

    Reply

  9. Ruthie Ridley

    My kind of salad!! DELISH!!!

    Reply

  10. Hannah Marie

    I am a huge fan of salads, especially ones with fresh grilled chicken! I have never had Asian chicken salad so I'm definitely pinning this one for later!

    Reply

  11. Andrea

    This looks absolutely amazing! I haven't ever mixed cabbage with kale as a salad base, but it looks delicious. Can't wait to try it!

    Reply

  12. Mommy Rockin' In Style

    Asian Chicken Salad Recipe (12)
    You have amazing photos! That salad looks delicious and satisfying! I can't wait to try this at home.

    Reply

  13. Thu Ho

    Though i'm Asian, I've never tasted a fabulous salad like this before. Maybe when it is absorbed into your Western countries, it has gone through major transformations. Anyway, the chicken salad looks amazing, healthy and definitely delicious. Thanks for the ingredients.

    Reply

  14. corinne & kirsty

    oh em gee this looks so delicious! I was going to go grocery shopping after work and now i know what i will get!

    Reply

  15. Fatima Torres

    I always look forward to your treats. This Asian chicken salad is just what I've been craving -- a healthy version of Asian dishes.

    Reply

  16. Jennifer L

    Asian Chicken Salad Recipe (13)
    Oh wow I love the incorportion of the rice noodles in the salad. I have to make this this week..its so up my alley. yum!

    Reply

  17. Aduke Schulist

    Salads and asian foods are two of my favs too. We could be besties!

    Reply

  18. Angela Ricardo Bethea

    Asian Chicken Salad Recipe (14)
    This Chicken salad looks delicious and healthy. I will definitely give this a try. Glad that you shared this recipe. Will add this to my recipe book.

    Reply

  19. Jelena

    This salad looks great! Otherwise, I like Asian food and salads, so this is a great combination for me.

    Reply

  20. Lauren

    Asian Chicken Salad Recipe (15)
    Loved this salad!!!! Even my husband loved it! I cooked the chicken breasts in coconut aminos in the instapot and that added more flavor. The dressing was great but a little tart. I omitted the sugar substitute and added 1/4 cup of organic apple juice ...mainly because I had some open. The only big change I would make it omitting the rice noodles. They didn’t add much to the salad. But we will be making it again for sure. Thank you!!!

    Reply

  21. Robin

    Asian Chicken Salad Recipe (16)
    This salad was sooo good!

    Reply

  22. Phoebe

    Asian Chicken Salad Recipe (17)
    I've made a recipe similar to this without the rice noodles. They are such a great addition to this salad!

    Reply

Asian Chicken Salad Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is Chinese chicken salad dressing made of? ›

The Asian salad dressing I use in this salad is based on a recipe by David Chang of Momof*cku. It's made with all manner of Asiany ingredients – soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic and ginger – but there's plenty of flex here which I've jotted down in the recipe notes.

What is the ingredients of chicken salad? ›

Image of What is the ingredients of chicken salad?
Chicken is the most common type of poultry in the world. Owing to the relative ease and low cost of raising chickens—in comparison to mammals such as cattle or hogs—chicken meat and chicken eggs have become prevalent in numerous cuisines.
Wikipedia

What is chicken salad sauce made of? ›

Most chicken salad dressings are a combination of mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. The rest of the flavor for this dish comes from ingredients like celery and fresh herbs.

What is Japanese salad dressing made of? ›

Wafu (Japanese-Style) Dressing

Made with soy sauce, rice vinegar, roasted sesame seeds, and grated onion, this versatile wafu dressing goes well with any salad combo you can think of. You will love how it can deliver amazing flavors in such subtlety.

What is in Chang's noodle dressing? ›

Water, Sugar, Refined Salt, Naturally Brewed Soy Sauce (Soya Bean, Water, Salt, Rice Extract), Sesame Oil, Vinegar, Vegetable Gum (415). Gluten Free. No artificial colours or preservatives.

Does chicken salad chick use mayonnaise? ›

When our Original Chick, Stacy, set out in search of the perfect chicken salad, she found that the only two key components anyone could agree on were chicken and mayonnaise. From there, she developed recipes to please every palate, everything from the traditional to the savory, fruity, and spicy.

Does chicken salad contain onions? ›

The best Classic Chicken Salad recipe is flavorful with simple ingredients. Chicken, celery, mayonnaise, green onions, and a little lemon juice make this salad taste like heaven. Feel free to add in whatever you want but this is great just as it is!

Where did Chinese chicken salad come from? ›

Chinese chicken salad—with its crunchy wonton strips, cubed chicken, and sesame dressing—is a 1990s restaurant staple that we still can't get enough of. But what many don't realize is that it was created not in China but in the kitchen of Sylvia Cheng Wu, a Chinese immigrant who cooked for Hollywood superstars.

What is chicken mayo made of? ›

Stir together mayonnaise, garlic, rosemary, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Spread mayonnaise mixture over chicken; top with Parmesan cheese. Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 1 hour and 10 minutes.

Why is chicken salad pink? ›

Chemical changes occur during cooking. Oven gases in a heated gas or electric oven react chemically with hemoglobin in the meat tissues to give it a pink tinge. Often meat of younger birds shows the most pink because their thinner skins permit oven gases to reach the flesh.

Why does my chicken salad have no taste? ›

Citrus juice and zest

Citrus juice does wonders to brighten the flavor of foods — including lackluster chicken salad. The acidity in citrus juice balances out the fat in the mayonnaise dressing while adding a tangy pop of flavor. The extra moisture from the juice can also help to make the salad tastier.

How do you fix too much mayo in chicken salad? ›

To offset the creaminess (and potentially wetness) of too much mayo, try adding in more of whatever crunchy element you were using. Celery and red onion are some of the most common ones, but you can also try chopped red peppers, bacon bits, carrots, cabbage, apples, chopped nuts, and more.

What enhances chicken flavor? ›

Brining your chicken is a foolproof way to not only add flavour to your roast but also to ensure you don't overcook the meat. Essentially a mix of salt, sugar and water, we love adding herbs, garlic or whole spices such as fennel and cumin to flavour the brine.

What is Chinese ginger dressing made of? ›

Directions. Put yogurt, lemon juice, rice wine vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce, onion, garlic, ginger paste, sugar, and black pepper in a blender; blend on High until smooth. Pour dressing into a sealable container, seal, and refrigerate at least 30 minute before serving.

How many carbs are in Chinese chicken salad dressing? ›

Girard's Chinese Chicken Salad Dressing (2 tbsp) contains 6g total carbs, 6g net carbs, 10g fat, 0g protein, and 120 calories.

What is the healthiest salad dressing in the world? ›

8 Simple and Healthy Salad Dressings
  1. Sesame ginger. This simple salad dressing doubles as an easy marinade for meat, poultry, or roasted veggies. ...
  2. Balsamic vinaigrette. ...
  3. Avocado lime. ...
  4. Lemon vinaigrette. ...
  5. Honey mustard. ...
  6. Greek yogurt ranch. ...
  7. Apple cider vinaigrette. ...
  8. Ginger turmeric.
Jul 27, 2023

What is teriyaki salad dressing made of? ›

Teriyaki salad dressing, aka China Coast dressing, is made up of mayonnaise, rice vinegar, granulated white sugar, sesame oil, soy sauce, and garlic powder.

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