This hearty and flavorful Asian Chicken Salad is made with cabbage, mandarin oranges, cucumbers, bell peppers, almonds, marinated chicken and an easy homemade dressing.

Asian Chicken Salad served in a bowl.

The freshness, crunch and delicious flavor combination of this healthy Asian Chicken Salad has me making it every chance I get! I marinate the chicken in a simple sauce that’s then converted to make salad dressing. The end result in restaurant quality, and I love that the salad can be prepared in advance.

How to Make Asian Chicken Salad:

  • Marinate chicken: whisk together soy sauce, ginger, olive oil, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, sriracha, and salt. Marinate chicken in 3 tablespoons of the marinade and refrigerate.
  • Mix dressing by adding red wine vinegar and sliced green onions to the unused marinade.
Raw chicken marinating in a bowl, next to another photo of a bowl of dressing for Asian chicken salad.
  • Combine lettuce, cabbage, cucumber, carrots, almonds, bell peppers, mandarin oranges, and cilantro in a large bowl.
Two plates with shredded lettuce, cabbage, and veggies needed to make Asian Chicken Salad.
  • Grill chicken on medium high heat, cooking for about 3 minutes on each side. Slice chicken and add to the salad.
Marinated and grilled chicken, cut into slices for a salad.
  • Toss salad with desired amount of dressing. Garnish with crunchy wonton strips or chow mein noodles, if desired.

Make Ahead Instructions:

The dressing, marinating the chicken, and chopping the salad ingredients can be done up to one day in advance. Then, when it is time to eat just grill the chicken and toss the salad with the dressing.

Recipe Variations:

  • Vegetarian: Leave off the chicken or replace with tofu.
  • Toss in more Vegetables: Use any seasonal vegetables you have, including snap peas, edamame, sprouts, radishes, shredded brussels sprouts, celery, broccoli, etc. You can also use any type of lettuce or onion you have on hand.

More tasty Salads to try:

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Recipe

Asian Chicken Salad served in a bowl.
Prep 15 minutes
Cook 10 minutes
Total 25 minutes
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Equipment

Ingredients
 
 

Marinade and Dressing:

For the Salad:

  • 1 large head romaine or green leafy lettuce , chopped
  • 2 cups chopped red, green or napa cabbage
  • 1/2 english cucumber sliced
  • 1 carrot , shredded
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds or cashews
  • 1 bell pepper (any color), chopped
  • 11 ounce can mandarin oranges drained
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

For topping:

  • Handful Crunchy chow mein noodles or wonton strips , optional

Instructions
 

Make marinade:

  • Whisk together the soy sauce, chopped ginger, olive oil, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, sriracha, and salt.
  • Add 3 tablespoon of the marinade to a bowl or large ziplock bag (the rest will be reserved for the dressing). Cut the chicken breasts in half, lengthwise (butterfly), to create 6 thin chicken breast halves. Add to the marinade and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 3-4 hours.
  • To the remaining marinade, add red wine vinegar and sliced green onions, to make a dressing for the salad. Refrigerate. 

For the salad:

  • Add lettuce, cabbage, cucumber, carrots, almonds, bell peppers, mandarin oranges and cilantro to a large bowl. 
  • Grill the chicken on medium high heat, cooking for about 3 minutes on each side, flipping once, until cooked through.
  • Remove to a cutting board and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Slice the chicken against the grain and add to the salad.
  • Pour desired amount of dressing on top and toss to combine. Garnish with crunchy wonton strips or chow mein noodles, if desired.

Notes

Vegetarian: Leave off the chicken or replace with tofu.
Toss in more Vegetables: Use any seasonal vegetables you have, including snap peas, edamame, sprouts, radishes, shredded brussels sprouts, celery, broccoli, etc. You can also use any type of lettuce or onion you have on hand.
Make Ahead Instructions: The dressing, marinating the chicken, and chopping the salad ingredients can be done up to one day in advance. Then, when it is time to eat just grill the chicken and toss the salad with the dressing.

Macros Recipe Adaptation

1 cup carrots, 2 lbs raw boneless skinless chicken breasts, 1 cup cucumber.

Per Serving Amount

Dressing: 34 grams, Romaine Lettuce: 1 cup, Napa Cabbage: ⅓ cup, Cucumber: 20 grams, Oranges: 52.8 grams, Cooked chicken: 93 grams, Almonds: 10.8 grams, Carrots: 12 grams, Green Bell Pepper: 20.6 grams, Cilantro: 4.16 grams.

Macros

379kcal, Fat: 21g, Carbs: 17g, Protein: 35g (serves 6) | MFP: Asian Chicken Salad (TBFS Macros)

Nutrition

Calories: 457kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 30gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 1405mgPotassium: 959mgFiber: 5gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 4545IUVitamin C: 85.1mgCalcium: 105mgIron: 2.3mg

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I originally shared this recipe January 2016. Updated May 2021 with new process photos.

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About The Author

Lauren Allen

Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.

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Comments

  1. Amazing! This recipe is legit a new staple in my household! The only thing I did differently was I battered and fried strips of chicken thighs.

  2. 5 stars
    Love the salad. Great flavor. You should try the Pittsburgh salad. I use toppings of hot french fries and chicken or steak and a sweet and sour Marzetti dressing. I come from PA and it is very popular there.

  3. 5 stars
    We love this recipe and have made it several times! It is an excellent salad for meal prep because it stays fresh and crunchy for several days! Thank you!

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