Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe

Let’s talk about the absolute star of summer potlucks, weeknight dinners, and impromptu picnics: Chinese Chicken Salad. With a craveable mix of juicy chicken, crisp veggies, sweet mandarin oranges, crunchy noodles, and the most addictive dressing, this salad is a party in a bowl and impossible to stop eating. 

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of my favorite things about Chinese Chicken Salad is how simple, wholesome, and easy-to-find the ingredients are. Everything has its purpose, whether it’s adding crunch, juiciness, or a burst of sweet-tangy flavor to the bowl.

• Napa cabbage: This cabbage is tender but still crunchy, and it soaks up the dressing beautifully.
• Iceberg lettuce: Ultra-crisp—perfect for giving the salad that refreshing, juicy bite.
• Cooked chicken: Dice or shred leftovers, rotisserie, or poached chicken for convenience.
• Carrots: Julienne these for color and sweetness; they add a vibrant look and subtle crunch.
• Mandarin oranges: Juicy, sweet segments (drained well!) give the salad pops of sunshine and flavor.
• Green onions: Their mild sharpness brightens everything and ties the salad together.
• Chow mein noodles: The classic “crunch factor” that’s irresistibly munchable.
• Crispy wonton strips: More crunch! These add a fun, slightly toasty flavor.
• Sliced almonds: For nutty depth—give them a quick toast for extra flavor if you like.
• Toasted sesame seeds: Sprinkled on top, they add a cozy, fragrant finish.
• Rice vinegar: Essential for the signature tangy-sweet Asian-style dressing.
• Hoisin sauce: Brings rich, slightly sweet, umami notes to the dressing.
• Peanut oil: Lends a lovely nuttiness—substitute with other neutral oils if needed.
• Soy sauce: Adds balance and savory depth to the dressing.
• Honey: A touch of natural sweetness ties the flavors together.
• Garlic: Minced for just the right amount of aromatic punch.
• Peanut butter (optional): Makes the dressing even creamier and more indulgent.
• Toasted sesame seed oil: Just a little delivers big, smoky-sesame flavor.
• Ground ginger: Backs up all the astringent, aromatic notes in the dressing.

Variations

Chinese Chicken Salad is practically made for experimenting! Swapping out ingredients for what you have on hand, adding fun new flavors, or making it suit your eating style is all part of the fun.

• Vegetarian Twist: Skip the chicken and add edamame or baked tofu for a satisfying meatless meal.
• Spicy Crunch: Toss a handful of sliced jalapeños or a hit of sriracha into the dressing for some heat.
• Fruit Swap: Try pineapple chunks or fresh mango instead of mandarin oranges for a tropical spin.
• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free soy sauce (tamari), rice noodles, and check that your wonton strips and chow mein are safe.
• Low Carb: Sub extra cabbage or spiralized veggies for the noodles and cut back on the sweeteners.

How to Make Chinese Chicken Salad

Step 1: Shake Up That Dressing

Combine all of the dressing ingredients—rice vinegar, hoisin, peanut oil, soy sauce, honey, garlic, (peanut butter if you’re using it), sesame oil, and ginger—in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Give it a really good shake until everything is totally blended. A little mini food processor or blender works, too. Pop it in the fridge to let those flavors mingle while you prep the salad.

Step 2: Build the Leafy Base

Layer the Napa cabbage and iceberg lettuce onto your biggest salad platter or a large, shallow bowl. This mix gives you fluffy crunch and a fresh, cooling bite—the ultimate backdrop for the flavors to come.

Step 3: Add Chicken & Colorful Veggies

Scatter the diced (or shredded) chicken, carrots, mandarin oranges (make sure they’re well-drained so they don’t water down the salad), and green onions all over your greens. These ingredients pile on the protein, color, and juicy-sweet flavor everyone loves in a Chinese Chicken Salad.

Step 4: Dress It Up

Drizzle a little of the chilled dressing over the whole salad. You want enough to lightly coat everything but save some for serving later so everyone can add extra if they like.

Step 5: Bring on the Crunch

Now for the best part—top everything with chow mein noodles, crispy wonton strips, sliced almonds, and toasted sesame seeds. These not only make the salad totally irresistible, but also provide that textural “wow” that makes people go back for seconds.

Step 6: Serve & Enjoy

Set out the rest of the dressing on the side and let everyone customize to their heart’s content. This Chinese Chicken Salad is best enjoyed right after assembly, when everything is crisp and vibrant!

How to Serve Chinese Chicken Salad

Garnishes

Finish your salad with a flourish: sprinkle a little extra sesame seed, sliced green onions, or even a handful of fresh cilantro over the top for color and fresh aroma. For extra drama, a gorgeous fan of mandarin orange slices or additional almond slivers always gets oohs and ahhs!

Side Dishes

Chinese Chicken Salad is hearty enough to stand alone, but it’s also fabulous paired with steamed dumplings, veggie spring rolls, or a simple bowl of miso soup. For a lighter lunch, add a cup of hot tea or a cold glass of citrusy sparkling water.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve the salad layered in a big, shallow bowl for vibrant color—or fill lettuce cups for adorable hand-held bites at a party. For meal prep, pack the greens and toppings in separate containers, then combine just before eating to keep everything fresh and crisp.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you’ve got leftovers, store the greens, chicken, and veggies together in an airtight container, but keep the crunchy toppings and dressing separate. This keeps everything as crisp and delicious as possible for up to 2 days.

Freezing

This salad isn’t a great candidate for freezing, since the fresh veggies and greens won’t hold up to thawing. However, leftover cooked chicken can be frozen and later defrosted to toss into a future Chinese Chicken Salad!

Reheating

Since this salad is all about crisp veggies and cold, crunchy textures, there’s really no reheating needed. If you’re using leftover chicken from the fridge and want it warm, just gently heat it in the microwave before assembling your salad.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Chinese Chicken Salad is hands-down one of my favorite ways to serve up color, crunch, and flavor on busy nights or for guests. Give it a try—you might find yourself making it on repeat! 

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