Name: Easy Chinese Chicken Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 1 small cauliflower Napa cabbage green part.; 2 boneless, skinless chicken thighs; 1 cucumber; 1/2 carrot; 1 tbsp. vegetable oil for frying; 1/2 chili; cilantro bundle; Sunflower seeds for garnish; For dressing:; 2 tbsp. teriyaki sauce; 2 tbsp. soy sauce; 1 1/2 tbsp. rice or apple cider vinegar; 3 tbsp.; 1 clove of garlic; 1 bay leaf; 1 tsp. coriander; 1 tsp. Cury Powder

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This Chinese Chicken Salad is a riot of flavors and textures, and is sure to make healthy eating so much more fun! Packed with protein, fiber and deliciousness, this Asian salad has everything you need, and then some more.

Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Tasty: My favorite part about this Asian chicken salad has to be its flavors.
Simple: The salad dressing ingredients are perfect for those sweet, spicy and tangy flavors that you’d expect any good Asian salad dressing to have.
Versatile: Plus, it is customizable to the next level- you can play around with the ingredients as much as you want to!

Recipe ingredients

You’ll need some simple ingredients to make the Chinese chicken salad.

Napa cabbage: Forms the crisp, fresh base for this chicken salad.
Skinless chicken thighs: Add a protein boost and hearty texture to the salad.
Cucumber: Incorporates a refreshing crunch to the salad’s texture.
Carrot: Contributes vibrant color and a slight sweetness to the mix.
Vegetable oil: Versatile choice for sautéing, can be replaced with preferred oils.
Chili: Brings a kick of heat, enhancing the salad’s Asian flair.
Cilantro: Adds a burst of freshness and a distinct herby note.
Sunflower seeds: Provide a crunchy garnish, can be swapped with almonds.
Teriyaki sauce: Infuses the salad with a sweet and tangy Asian flavor.
Soy sauce: Adds rich color and umami flavor to the salad.
Apple cider vinegar: Lends a tart edge, can be substituted with rice vinegar.
Garlic: Amplifies the flavor profile, essential in Asian cuisine.
Bay leaf: Offers a subtle layer of flavor, enhancing the overall taste.
Coriander: Small addition, big impact – gives an earthy flavor to the dressing.
Curry powder: A dash adds an exotic flavor twist to the Chinese chicken salad.

How to Make Chinese Chicken Salad

Got all the salad ingredients ready? Here’s what you’ll need to do next.

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Marinate the chicken thighs in your favorite spice blend or a simple mixture of salt, pepper and a little oil. Grill them on a grill pan until cooked through and juicy.

Step 2: Prep Cucumber and Chicken

Cut the cucumber in half. Roast them until lightly charred. Allow the chicken to cool slightly and then slice into thin strips. Cut the cucumber into 8 pieces.

Step 3: Slice Cabbage

Wash the cabbage thoroughly and slice it into thin strips. Place it in a large salad bowl to form the base of the salad.

Step 4: Prepare Other Veggies

Chop the cilantro. Slice the chili peppers into thin rings. Grate the carrots. Place the prepared vegetables and herbs in a large bowl.

Step 5: Assemble the Seasonings

Add the shredded chicken and cucumbers. Place bay leaf, spices, pressed garlic in the center of the salad. Pour in the soy sauce, vinegar, and teriyaki sauce.

Step 6: Top with Hot Oil

Heat the oil in a pan and pour it over the center of the salad. Gently toss and leave for 15 minutes.

Step 7: Toss Salad and Serve Immediately

Transfer the salad to a serving plate and sprinkle with sunflower seeds to give it crunch and visual appeal. Serve the Chinese Chicken Salad immediately to preserve the vibrant colors and textures in each plate.

Expert Tips

Making this Chinese chicken salad is super easy, but you might want to note down these little tips and tricks too.

I used soy sauce for the recipe, but if you want to make a gluten free version of the salad dressing, you can swap it for some tamari.
To cut down the cooking time for this recipe, you can use pre-cooked chicken or store bought rotisserie chicken instead of raw chicken.
I used chicken thighs for this recipe, but you can also use chicken breasts if that’s what you have at hand.
I used napa cabbage for the salad, but you can use almost any other kind for the cabbage mixture. Chinese cabbage, red cabbage and green cabbage are great options.
Alternatively, you could just use some coleslaw mix instead.
If you can, I would recommend using sesame oil for this Chinese chicken salad. It really adds to the authentic Asian flavors of the dish.

Variations

You can add lots of other veggies and ingredients to this rather versatile chicken salad.
Chopped or sliced green onions can be a nice addition to the salad. They can add lots of freshness to the salad.
You can also use a mix of green and red cabbage for the shredded cabbage mixture, and even add some romaine lettuce into the mix if you want to.
I also like to add some snow peas or snap peas when I have them at hand.
Bean sprouts and water chestnuts can also be a great addition to this amazing salad.
For a bit of tanginess, you can also add mandarin oranges into the salad. I like to use canned mandarin oranges.
Ramen noodles and chow mein noodles are excellent additions to this Chinese chicken salad too! They make the salad even more filling.
And when I have some wonton strips or crunchy noodles leftover from an Asian takeout at hand, I like to add them in too!

Storage Instructions

Fridge: You can store the leftover salad for up to a day in the refrigerator.
Container: I would recommend using an airtight container for best results to keep the salad fresh and crunchy.

What To Serve With This Recipe?

Grilled or Stir-Fried Protein: Serve the salad alongside Chicken, Beef, Pork, or Shrimp. You can also stir-fry tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian option.
Rice or Noodles: Serve the salad with Steamed Rice or Noodles such as lo mein or chow mein for a more substantial meal.
Spring Rolls or Dumplings: Pair the salad with spring rolls, Bao or Dumplings (steamed or fried) for a delightful combination.
Soup: Start the meal with a light soup such as hot and sour soup or Egg Drop Soup.

Easy Chinese Chicken Salad

Yield: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

This delicious Chinese chicken saad is delicious and tasty. Enjoy.

Ingredients

1 small cauliflower Napa cabbage green part.
2 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1 cucumber
1/2 carrot
1 tbsp. vegetable oil for frying
1/2 chili
cilantro bundle
Sunflower seeds for garnish
For dressing:
2 tbsp. teriyaki sauce
2 tbsp. soy sauce
1 1/2 tbsp. rice or apple cider vinegar
3 tbsp.
1 clove of garlic
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. coriander
1 tsp. Cury Powder

Instructions

Marinate the chicken thighs in your favorite spice blend or a simple mixture of salt, pepper and a little oil. Grill them on a grill pan until cooked through and juicy.
Cut the cucumber in half. Roast them until lightly charred. Allow the chicken to cool slightly and then slice into thin strips. Cut the cucumber into 8 pieces.
Wash the cabbage thoroughly and slice it into thin strips. Place it in a large salad bowl to form the base of the salad.
Chop the cilantro. Slice the chili peppers into thin rings. Grate the carrots. Place the prepared vegetables and herbs in a large bowl.
Add the shredded chicken and cucumbers. Place bay leaf, spices, pressed garlic in the center of the salad. Pour in the soy sauce, vinegar, and teriyaki sauce.
Heat the oil in a pan and pour it over the center of the salad. Gently toss and leave for 15 minutes.
Transfer the salad to a serving plate and sprinkle with sunflower seeds to give it crunch and visual appeal. Serve the Chinese Chicken Salad immediately to preserve the vibrant colors and textures in each plate.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 303Total Fat: 18gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 81mgSodium: 1839mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 3gSugar: 5gProtein: 24g