Chinese Chicken Salad
A crisp, colorful salad with shredded chicken, napa cabbage, and a tangy sesame dressing. Fast to make, full of texture, and ideal for lunch or a light dinner.
Equipment
- jar
- large bowl
Ingredients
Asian Dressing
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar (aka rice wine vinegar, or use cider vinegar)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil (toasted)
- 2 tbsp grapeseed oil (or canola or any other neutral flavored oil)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp fresh ginger, grated or very finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Salad
- 4 cups Chinese cabbage (Nappa Cabbage), finely shredded
- 1 1/2 cups red cabbage, finely shredded
- 1 cup carrot, finely julienned
- 2 cups chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup shallots / scallions, finely sliced on the diagonal
Garnishes
- 1/2 to 1 cup crunchy noodles (I use Chang’s)
- 1 - 2 tsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Add all of the dressing ingredients to a jar, seal it, and shake well, then let it sit for about 10 minutes. The dressing should look blended and glossy, and the ginger and garlic will mellow into the soy, vinegar, and sesame oil as the flavors come together.
- Place the salad ingredients in a large bowl with half of the crunchy noodles, then drizzle over the dressing and toss everything together. You want the cabbage lightly coated, not drenched, with the noodles still giving off that happy little crackle as you toss.
- Divide the salad between bowls, then finish with the remaining crunchy noodles and a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds. Serve it right away. The final bowl should look colorful and feel lively, with cool cabbage, tender chicken, and golden crunchy bits on top.
Notes
Texture Tip: Slice the cabbage as finely as you can so each bite picks up chicken, dressing, and crunch evenly.
Make Ahead: Keep the dressing separate from the cabbage, carrot, scallions, and chicken until just before serving. Store the crunchy noodles separately at room temperature so they stay crisp.
Storage: If you have leftover dressed salad, cover and refrigerate it. It will still taste good, but the crunch will soften over time.
Ingredient Tip: Napa cabbage gives the lightest, most tender crunch. If using green cabbage, toss it with a little dressing shortly before serving so it softens slightly.
Nutrition information is an estimate based on common ingredients and serving sizes. Values may vary depending on brands, portions, and substitutions.