Chinese Chicken Salad is easily made at home by combining cabbage, toasted sesame seeds, slivered almonds, chicken and ramen noodles with an easy to make homemade Chinese chicken salad dressing.
Your friends and family will be asking for seconds every time you serve this tasty salad.
CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD
This time of year Chinese chicken salad is one of my favorite dishes to make, it ranks right up there with my Easy Broccoli Salad Recipe! It is so easy to make, tastes delicious, and lasts for days making it the perfect make-ahead meal, salad to take to work each day, or to take to your next neighborhood pot luck.
Next time you are craving Chinese chicken salad, rather than running to your nearest favorite salad shop, create your own salad for ⅓ the price that has better flavor, makes more and is healthier for you.
You will not be disappointed as this recipe is so versatile, easy to make, and tastes delicious. It will certainly become your go-to salad recipe!
CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD INGREDIENTS
Cabbage- I love to use green cabbage for Chinese chicken salad, but I also like to pick up a small purple one to add some color to the dish.
Sesame seeds- You can’t make Chinese chicken salad without sesame seeds! Not only do they help make the dish, but they are also a healthy fat that provides protein, fiber, and antioxidants.
Sliced or Silvered Almonds- To save time, buy already sliced or slivered almonds. Be sure to pick up nonflavored almonds. You can cut or sliver your own if you choose.
Chicken flavored Ramen noodles- Grab a package of chicken flavored ramen noodles to add to this salad.
Green onions- Green onions add another layer of texture and flavor to the salad. Grab a bunch at the store to add to your salad.
Cooked Chicken- Use 1 pound of cooked chicken for this recipe. You can cook chicken breasts, use canned chicken, or a rotisserie chicken.
CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD DRESSING INGREDIENTS
Vegetable oil- Vegetable oil is the base of this Chinese chicken salad dressing.
Apple cider Vinger- If you have not used apple cider vinegar to make dressings in the past, now is the time to start. It brings in the best burst of flavor, especially with this dressing.
Sugar- Bee sure to not exclude the sugar in this dressing recipe. Sugar plays an important role in salad dressings as it helps balance and combine flavors together.
Salt and Pepper- Don’t underestimate salt and pepper. Be sure you don’t omit these seasonings.
Seasoning from Ramen noodle packets- Add your seasoning pack from your ramen noodles to add a burst of flavoring to your dressing.
HOW TO MAKE CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD
- Slice cabbage and put in a large mixing bowl.
- Break ramen noodles into small pieces and sprinkle over cabbage.
- Chop onion and sprinkle over mixture. Set aside.
- Cook chicken over low heat (don’t let it get too brown) about 4 minutes per side.
- Chop chicken into bite-sized pieces and add to mixture.
- Toast slivered almonds and sesame seeds in a small frying pan for a few minutes. Watch carefully so they don’t burn. This will bring out the flavor in the nuts.
- Sprinkle nuts and sesame seeds and cabbage mixture.
- Toss all ingredients to combine.
- Set aside and make the dressing.
HOW TO MAKE CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD DRESSING
- Mix together all dressing ingredients in a medium mixing bowl or glass jar with a lid.
- Stir vigorously until all ingredients are combined.
- Pour dressing over cabbage mixture
- Mix well to make sure the dressing is incorporated over all of the salad.
- Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR MAKING CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD
- Get creative. Try adding a variety of toppings and vegetables
- Change the protein! This recipe calls for cooked chicken, but try different protein variations.
- We love using a mason jar to “stir” the dressing. Just pout and shake until it’s incorporated.
- Easily doubled! If you are making this recipe for a big crowd, it is easily doubled! Just be sure to double the dressing as well.
- This salad is the perfect make-ahead salad. Don’t be afraid to make it a day before to help those flavors mix together.
DO I HAVE TO SHRED MY OWN CABBAGE?
If you are short on time, it is sometimes tedious to shred your own cabbage. You can buy a bag of coleslaw mix as your cabbage base to save time.
WHAT KIND OF CABBAGE SHOULD I USE?
There are so many different cabbage options, I love to combine purple and green cabbage for an added pop of color. Napa cabbage is my favorite as it is lighter in texture, making it perfect for this salad. Savoy cabbage, Bok choy or regular green cabbage will all work great as well.
CAN I ADD OTHER TOPPINGS AND VEGETABLES TO THIS SALAD?
Yes! You can absolutely add other toppings and vegetables to this salad. I love to swap out the ramen noodles for crispy wontons and I also love to add matchstick carrots to this salad.
You can also add:
- Mandarin oranges
- Avocados
- Cilantro
- Bean sprouts
- Celery
- Pea pods
- Chow Mein Noodles
DO I HAVE TO USE CHICKEN IN THIS RECIPE?
No, you do not have to use chicken in this salad recipe. If you prefer you can omit the chicken all together or you can substitute it for another protein.
Try these other options:
- Pieces of cooked turkey
- Grilled shrimp
- Cubed tofu
HOW TO STORE THIS SALAD
This is the perfect salad that lasts days in the fridge. I have eaten this salad 4 days after making it and it still tastes fresh.
Be sure to store it in an airtight container in the fridge for best-storing results.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD
This Chinese chicken salad makes enough to be the main dish of any meal or to take for a picnic or pot luck. If you are looking for other options to serve with it, try these ideas!
- Frech bread, sliced
- Egg Rolls
- Wontons
LOOKING FOR OTHER GREAT SALAD RECIPES? CHECK THESE OUT!
Chinese Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 1 large cabbage
- 2 oz. sesame seeds
- 4 oz. sliced or slivered almonds
- 3 packages Chicken flavored Ramen noodles
- 1 bunch green onions
- 1 lb. chicken cooked
Instructions
- Slice cabbage and put in a large mixing bowl.
- Break ramen noodles into small pieces and sprinkle over cabbage.
- Chop onion and sprinkle over mixture. Set aside.
- Cook chicken over low heat (don’t let it get too brown) about 4 minutes per side
- Chop chicken into bite-sized pieces and add to mixture.
- In small frying pan, toast slivered almonds and sesame seeds for a few minutes. Watch carefully so they don’t furn. This will bring out the flavor in the nuts. Sprinkle nuts and sesame seeds and cabbage mixture.
- Toss all ingredients to combine. Set aside and make the dressing.
Dressing:
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 6 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 6 Tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Seasoning from Ramen noodle packets
- In medium-mixing bowl, or glass jar with lid, mix together all dressing ingredients. Stir vigorously until all ingredients are combined.
- Pour dressing over cabbage mixture and mix well to make sure the dressing is incorporated over all of the salad. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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