Description
A vibrant and crunchy Chinese Chicken Salad featuring shredded rotisserie chicken tossed with crisp romaine and iceberg lettuce, red cabbage, carrots, and green onions, all dressed in a flavorful Asian dressing and topped with toasted sesame seeds, slivered almonds, and crispy wonton strips for the perfect balance of textures and flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 cups rotisserie chicken breast, shredded
- ½ cup Asian salad dressing, divided
Greens and Vegetables
- 1 head romaine lettuce, shredded
- 1 head iceberg lettuce, shredded
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- ¼ cup thinly sliced green onions
- 3 tablespoons cilantro leaves (optional), roughly chopped
Toppings
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- ½ cup slivered almonds
- 1 cup crispy wonton strips (or chow mein noodles)
Optional Add-Ins
- Mandarin orange slices
- Water chestnuts
- Baby corn
- Snow peas
Instructions
- Prep the Chicken: Shred the rotisserie chicken breast into bite-sized pieces using your hands or forks. Place the shredded chicken into a large bowl and pour in half of the Asian salad dressing. Toss well to coat every piece evenly. Let the chicken marinate for about 10 minutes so it soaks up the flavors and stays juicy. If using leftover grilled or baked chicken, warm it slightly before tossing in the dressing.
- Chop and Combine the Greens: While the chicken marinates, shred the romaine and iceberg lettuces and combine them with shredded red cabbage and carrots in a large salad bowl. Add thinly sliced green onions and chopped cilantro if you like. For advance prep, store the greens and cabbage in a zip-top bag with a paper towel to keep crisp.
- Assemble and Toss: Add the marinated chicken to the bowl of greens and vegetables. Pour the remaining Asian dressing over the salad and toss gently until each leaf and shred is lightly coated. Avoid overdressing; the dressing should cling, not drown. Taste and adjust seasoning by adding a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of soy sauce for extra flavor.
- Add Crunchy Toppings: Sprinkle sesame seeds, slivered almonds, and crispy wonton strips evenly over the salad to add a satisfying crunch and nutty flavor contrast. For variety, try toasted cashews or sunflower seeds instead. Serve the salad immediately for maximum crunch.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the Chinese Chicken Salad in a large serving bowl or individual plates. If preparing ahead for potlucks or gatherings, keep the dressing and crunchy toppings separate until serving to prevent sogginess. Enjoy the crisp freshness and balanced flavors right after tossing.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken in the dressing for 10 minutes enhances flavor and moisture.
- To keep greens crisp for days, store them with a paper towel in a zip-top bag.
- If desired, customize with optional add-ins like mandarin orange slices or snow peas for added sweetness and crunch.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute crispy wonton strips with gluten-free crunchy toppings like toasted nuts or rice sticks.
- Serve salad immediately after adding crunchy toppings to maintain texture.
