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Chinese Chicken Salad

This Chinese chicken salad leans on crunchy shredded cabbage, mandarin oranges and crispy wonton strips for texture, all tied together with a punchy sesame-ginger dressing. It's the kind of salad that eats like a full meal, with none of the sogginess of a leafy-lettuce-only version.

Why you'll love this recipe

• Big, satisfying crunch from cabbage and wontons
• Bright sesame-ginger dressing
• Great way to use leftover cooked chicken
• Naturally scalable for meal prep

Ingredients

Full ingredient list below — check off items as you shop or cook.

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the green and red cabbage, chicken, mandarin oranges, carrots and green onions.
2. Whisk together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, neutral oil, ginger and garlic to make the dressing.
3. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well to coat.
4. Top with toasted almonds and crispy chow mein noodles or wonton strips just before serving so they stay crunchy.

Tips for success

• Add the crispy noodles or wonton strips right before serving — tossed in too early, they'll go soft from the dressing.
• This salad is a great way to use up leftover rotisserie or grilled chicken.
• Toasting the almonds briefly in a dry skillet deepens their flavor considerably.
• The dressed cabbage base (without the crispy toppings) holds up well in the fridge for a day, making this good for meal prep.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make Chinese chicken salad ahead of time?

Yes, prep the salad base and dressing separately and combine just before serving; add the crispy toppings last so they stay crunchy.

What can I use instead of crispy wonton strips?

Crunchy chow mein noodles, crushed ramen (uncooked), or wonton chips all work as substitutes.

Is this salad gluten-free?

Use tamari instead of soy sauce and gluten-free crispy noodles, and it becomes a fully gluten-free dish.

Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?

Yes, shredded rotisserie chicken is a great time-saving option.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories	386
Protein	28g
Carbs	28g
Fat	18g
Sodium	560mg
Sugar	14g

Nutrition values are estimates and will vary based on exact ingredients and brands used.

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