Go Back
–+ servings
Chinese Chicken Salad on a white plate with lettuce, cabbage, chicken, mandarin oranges, and dressing.
Print Recipe

Chinese Chicken Salad

This Chinese Chicken Salad has the BEST homemade dressing and is easy to make with fresh lettuce, cabbage, chicken, and crispy toppings!
Prep Time25 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American, Chinese
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 426kcal
Author: Stephanie

Ingredients

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 can sub 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
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Combine salad dressing ingredients in a jar with a lid and shake very well to combine. (A mini food processor may also be used.) Refrigerate while you prepare remaining ingredients.
  • Arrange cabbage and lettuce on a serving platter or in large bowl and drizzle with a little dressing.
  • Top with chicken, carrots, oranges, and green onions. Drizzle with more dressing and top with almonds, chow mein noodles, wonton strips, and sesame seeds. Serve with remaining dressing on the side.

Notes

Pro Tips
  • Crunchy Toppings: I use La Choy Chow Mein Noodles and Mee Tu Chinese Noodles, both found in the Asian aisle at the grocery store. Typically these are more economical than purchasing salad toppers from the produce section.
  • Make sure your sesame seeds are roasted/toasted for ultimate flavor. (You can do this yourself in a skillet over medium heat if needed, it takes just a few minutes.)
  • Nuts: Other delicious nut options include honey roasted peanuts, cashews, or walnuts!
  • Hoisin Sauce: I use Sun Luck brand, it's good!
  • Add-ons: Other great additions include goat cheese, avocado, red cabbage, bean sprouts, water chestnuts, baby corn, shrimp, and bell peppers. 
  • Crispy Chicken: Feel free to make this recipe with my Fried Chicken Tenders!
  • 📘 Find this recipe on page 68 of my 2nd cookbook, Let’s Eat!
Storage
  • Tossed salad is best if eaten fresh, especially if the crunchy toppings have been added. 
  • Salad ingredients can be prepared and stored separately in airtight containers for up to 2 days before being tossed and served. Shake dressing prior to serving.
Nutritional information is an estimate and is per serving. There are 4 servings in this recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 426kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 66mg | Sodium: 704mg | Potassium: 502mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 5737IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 3mg