Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe

Sweet mandarin oranges and crunchy crushed ramen noodles elevate this Chinese chicken salad to a vibrant favorite you’ll always want at the heart of your weekday lunch table. It’s delicious with a side of vegetable spring rolls, a hot cup of jasmine tea, extra-crispy wonton strips, a cold glass of ginger ale; in fact most things.

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Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe Ingredients

For the Salad:

• 3 cups Romaine or Iceberg lettuce, chopped
• 2 cups red cabbage, shredded
• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver)
• 1/2 cup canned mandarin oranges, drained and patted dry
• 1 packet instant ramen noodles, crushed (discard the seasoning packet)
• 1/2 cup carrots, shredded
• 1/3 cup green onions, sliced
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds

For the Ginger-Hoisin Dressing:

• 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil

How To Make Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe

1. Prepare the crisp base: Start by finding your largest salad bowl. Chop the Romaine or Iceberg lettuce and shred the red cabbage into bite-sized pieces. The combination of these two greens provides both a refreshing watery crunch and a sturdy, colorful texture that holds up well to the heavy dressing.
2. Add the protein and textures: Toss in the shredded chicken, carrots, and sliced green onions. Scatter the sliced almonds and the mandarin orange slices over the top. A professional tip: make sure to pat the oranges dry with a paper towel before adding them; this prevents excess juice from thinning out your dressing.
3. Whisk the thick dressing: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the rice wine vinegar, honey, sesame oil, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. Whisk these ingredients together until they are smooth and the honey is fully dissolved. To achieve that “thick and shiny” bakery-style finish, slowly drizzle in the vegetable oil while whisking vigorously to create a perfect emulsion.
4. The “Crunch Time” secret: This is the most critical step for a successful Chinese chicken salad. Wait until you are exactly ready to eat before adding the crushed ramen noodles. Adding them even five minutes too early will cause them to absorb moisture and lose their signature “shatter” crunch.
5. Toss and serve immediately: Pour the vibrant dressing over the salad and use large servers to toss everything together until every leaf of cabbage and every shred of chicken is glistening. Serve it immediately while the noodles are at their crispiest.

Recipe Tips

• Ramen Preparation: For extra flavor, you can briefly toast the crushed ramen noodles and sliced almonds in a dry pan over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes until golden before adding them to the salad.
• Orange Moisture: If you are making this ahead of time, keep the mandarin oranges in a separate container. Their juice is the primary culprit for wilting the lettuce prematurely.
• Hoisin Sauce: Hoisin is the “secret” ingredient that provides that deep, savory-sweet umami flavor. If you don’t have it, a little extra honey and a dash of five-spice powder can work in a pinch.
• Chicken Prep: Rotisserie chicken is perfect here because it is already seasoned and tender. If you’re cooking your own, poaching the chicken keeps it moist and easy to shred.

What To Serve With Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe?

This Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe is a bright, hearty meal that needs a savory or aromatic pairing! Crispy Vegetable Potstickers are the quintessential choice for a complete Asian-inspired lunch. For a lighter touch, a side of Clear Miso Soup adds a lovely warm depth that pairs perfectly with the ginger dressing! A handful of Shrimp Crackers or a glass of Chilled Lychee Green Tea pairs wonderfully with the mandarin and sesame notes.

How To Store Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe

• Refrigerate: You can store the salad base (lettuce, cabbage, chicken, and carrots) in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep the dressing in a separate jar.
• Keep it Crisp: Never store the salad once it has been tossed with the dressing and ramen noodles. It will become soggy and unappealing within an hour.
• Make Ahead: For the best meal-prep experience, layer the ingredients in a jar with the dressing at the bottom, the chicken and carrots in the middle, and the greens on top. Add the ramen and oranges just before serving.

Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 425 kcal (per serving)
• Total Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg
• Sodium: 810 mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Sugar: 16 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Fiber: 5 g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on dressing portions.

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