Description
A vibrant and crunchy Chinese Chicken Salad packed with shredded Napa cabbage, iceberg lettuce, cooked chicken, and mandarin oranges, all tossed in a flavorful homemade sesame-hoisin dressing. This refreshing salad combines an array of textures with crispy chow mein noodles, wonton strips, sliced almonds, and toasted sesame seeds, making it perfect for a light lunch or dinner option.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 4 cups Napa cabbage, shredded
- 3 cups Iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 2 ½ cups cooked chicken, diced
- 1 cup carrots, julienned
- 11 oz. mandarin oranges, drained and patted dry
- 1/3 cup green onions, diced
- ½ cup chow mein noodles
- ½ cup crispy wonton strips
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons peanut oil (or avocado, vegetable, or canola oil)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon peanut butter (optional)
- ¾ teaspoon toasted sesame seed oil
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- Prepare Dressing: In a jar with a lid or a mini food processor, combine rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, peanut oil, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, peanut butter (if using), toasted sesame seed oil, and ground ginger. Shake well or blend until smooth. Refrigerate the dressing to let the flavors meld while preparing the salad ingredients.
- Assemble Salad Base: On a large platter or in a salad bowl, arrange the shredded Napa cabbage and chopped iceberg lettuce evenly. Drizzle a portion of the prepared dressing over the greens to lightly coat them.
- Add Protein and Vegetables: Evenly distribute the diced cooked chicken, julienned carrots, drained mandarin oranges, and diced green onions on top of the dressed lettuce mixture.
- Top with Crunchy Elements: Sprinkle sliced almonds, chow mein noodles, crispy wonton strips, and toasted sesame seeds generously over the salad for added texture and flavor.
- Serve: Provide extra dressing on the side for individual preference. Serve immediately to maintain the crispness of the greens and toppings.
Notes
- Use cooked chicken breast for a lean protein option; rotisserie chicken works great for convenience.
- Drain mandarin oranges thoroughly to avoid soggy salad.
- The peanut butter in the dressing is optional but adds a nice creaminess.
- For a vegetarian option, omit chicken and increase nuts and tofu or chickpeas.
- Serve immediately after assembling to keep toppings crunchy.
