Chinese Chicken Salad

Published April 17, 2024. Updated April 30, 2024

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Fresh and flavorful Chinese Chicken Salad! A colorful Asian salad made with crisp cabbage, tender roasted chicken, sweet bell pepper, and a rich and tangy peanut-sesame dressing. 

Large serving bowl full of Chinese chicken salad with cabbage, peanuts, sesame seeds, wonton strips, bell peppers.

This refreshing Chinese Chicken Salad has such a welcome, satisfying blend of textures paired with well rounded flavor. The dressing has a crave-able rich peanut flavor, the veggies offer the salad so much freshness and a great crunch, and the chicken makes it hearty and filling.

It’s fairly easy to make since it includes a shortcut of store-bought, pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. This also makes it a no cooking required dinner salad recipe.

There’s just bit of measuring, chopping and tossing. And if you happen to have someone to help one of you can prep the salad while the other person makes the dressing.

It’s a nutritious, all in one salad that’s great for serving as a main dish entree for lunch or dinner. You’ll love all the deliciousness in every bite!

Chinese Chicken Salad with peanut sesame dressing.

Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe Ingredients and Substitutes

Chinese Chicken Salad Dressing ingredients:

  • Light olive oil: Olive oil is definitely not traditional in Chinese cooking but it’s a healthier alternative so I do recommend it. Vegetable oil or canola oil will work as well.
  • Peanut butter: I recommend creamy peanut butter for this recipe.
  • Sesame oil: This is the toasted sesame oil available in the Asian section of the grocery store.
  • Soy sauce: If you need to reduce sodium then low-sodium soy sauce can be used. For gluten-free use tamari, and omit wonton strips of course.
  • Rice vinegar: In a pinch apple cider vinegar will work as well.
  • Lime juice: Lemon juice may be substituted.
  • Honey: Maple syrup could be used if needed.
  • Ginger: Fresh ginger will give the best flavor but if needed you could use 1/4 tsp dried ground.
  • Garlic: Fresh garlic will also give the best flavor but you could use a heaping 1/4 tsp dried ground.
  • Chinese five spice and red pepper flakes: These ingredients are both optional for an additional boost in flavor.

Salad ingredients:

  • Romaine lettuce and nappa cabbage: I like to use a blend of the two greens for great texture and flavor. Though you could make it with just one of them if needed.
  • Rotisserie chicken breasts: This salad could also be made with leftover grilled chicken or pan seared chicken.
  • Red bell pepper, carrot, green onions, cilantro: This blend of produce adds vibrant natural color and fresh flavor.
  • Peanuts: Cashews are another great option.
  • Sesame seeds: Toasting them if you have time will add one more layer of deep flavor.
  • Fried wonton strips: Homemade or store-bought works here. These are optional but add great crunch.

Ingredients used to make Chinese chicken salad. Ingredients for Chinese chicken salad dressing in a glass mixing bowl shown before mixing.

How to Make Chinese Chicken Salad Dressing

  1. Make the dressing: In a medium mixing bowl whisk together oil, peanut butter, sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, honey, ginger, garlic, Chinese five spice and red pepper flakes.
  2. Transfer dressing to fridge and chill preferably for 30 minutes (or freeze for 15 minutes).

Dressing in glass mixing bowl shown after mixing. Chinese chicken salad ingredients shown before tossing.

How to Make Chinese Chicken Salad

  1. In a large serving bowl toss together lettuce, cabbage, chicken, bell pepper, carrot, green onions and cilantro. Top with peanuts and sesame seeds.
  2. Add dressing to entire salad and toss or add dressing to individual servings. Serve immediately after adding dressing.

Completed Chinese chicken salad shown after tossing and adding dressing.

How to Store this Salad

  • Chinese chicken salad and dressing can be stored separately (without the dressing added) for up to 2 days.
  • Serve shortly after you’ve added the dressing, then add wonton strips.

What to Serve with Chinese Chicken Salad

Chinese chicken salad is quite filling on it’s own but if you are looking for extra dishes to pair with it here are some recommendations:

Overhead photo of Chinese chicken salad in a large white salad bowl with a blue cloth underneath. It's set on a marble surface.

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Large serving bowl full of Chinese chicken salad with cabbage, peanuts, sesame seeds, wonton strips, bell peppers.
5 from 5 votes

Chinese Chicken Salad

A colorful Asian salad made with crisp cabbage, tender roasted chicken, sweet bell pepper, and a sweet and tangy peanut-sesame dressing. 
Servings: 5
Prep30 minutes
Ready in: 30 minutes

Ingredients

Dressing

Salad

Instructions

  • Make the dressing: In a medium mixing bowl whisk together oil, peanut butter, sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, honey, ginger, garlic, Chinese five spice and red pepper flakes.
  • Transfer dressing to fridge and chill preferably for 30 minutes (or freeze for 15).
  • For the salad: In a large serving bowl toss together lettuce, cabbage, chicken, bell pepper, carrot, green onions and cilantro. Top with peanuts and sesame seeds.
  • Add dressing to entire salad and toss or add dressing to individual servings. Serve immediately after adding dressing.

Notes

  • Sesame seeds and wonton strips not included in nutrition estimate as these are optional.
Nutrition Facts
Chinese Chicken Salad
Amount Per Serving
Calories 551 Calories from Fat 333
% Daily Value*
Fat 37g57%
Saturated Fat 6g38%
Polyunsaturated Fat 10g
Monounsaturated Fat 19g
Cholesterol 71mg24%
Sodium 543mg24%
Potassium 971mg28%
Carbohydrates 23g8%
Fiber 6g25%
Sugar 12g13%
Protein 38g76%
Vitamin A 6842IU137%
Vitamin C 76mg92%
Calcium 138mg14%
Iron 4mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.