The hero of this Chinese Chicken Salad is the Asian Dressing and crunchy noodles. It can make any bowl of fresh greens devilishly moreish! Made with cabbage, carrots, green onions and chicken, finished with sesame seeds, this is terrific for packed lunches as it keeps well for days!
CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD – MY MOST MADE ASIAN SALAD!
This is my most made faux Asian salad. It’s “faux” because it’s in no way authentic Chinese and that’s totally ok.
I love it anyway because it’s so delish, and it’s a good way to make me inhale large volumes of fresh greens.
THE ASIAN SALAD DRESSING
The Asian salad dressing I use in this salad is based on a recipe by David Chang of Momofuku. It’s made with all manner of Asiany ingredients – soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, garlic and ginger – but there’s plenty of flex here which I’ve jotted down in the recipe notes.
I love the fresh hit of ginger and garlic in the dressing but I quite often make this salad using my standby simple Asian Sesame Dressing. Made with just soy sauce, sesame oil, vinegar, oil and sugar, it keeps for days, weeks even. It would be unusual if I didn’t have a jar of this lurking in the dark depths of my fridge at all times!
I think the thing that really seals the deal for me about this Chinese Chicken Salad are the crunchy noodles. I just use Chang’s Fried Noodles which are often on sale at the supermarket for around $1. Any brand will do – the thin ones I’ve used or even the wider ones. Just as long as they’re crunchy!! – Nagi x
PS This is a terrific do-ahead meal. The chopped veggies stay fresh for days in the fridge – I’ve kept them for 5 days in an airtight container – and shredded chicken can be frozen. The only thing to add fresh is the ginger and garlic in the dressing.
MORE ASIAN SALADS
- Asian Salmon Salad
- Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Noodle Bowls
- Chinese Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing
- Thai Beef Salad
- Thai Chicken Salad
- Satay Chicken Noodle Salad
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
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Chinese Chicken Salad
Ingredients
Asian Dressing
- 2 tbsp light soy sauce (Note 1)
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar (aka rice wine vinegar, or use cider vinegar)
- 1 tbsp sesame oil (toasted)
- 2 tbsp grapeseed oil (or canola or any other neutral flavored oil)
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 1/2 tsp fresh ginger , grated or very finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove , minced
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Salad
- 4 cups Chinese cabbage (Nappa Cabbage), finely shredded (Note 2)
- 1 1/2 cups red cabbage , finely shredded
- 1 cup carrot , finely julienned (see video)
- 2 cups chicken , shredded
- 1/2 cup shallots / scallions , finely sliced on the diagonal
Garnishes
- 1/2 to 1 cup crunchy noodles (I use Chang's) (Note 3)
- 1 - 2 tsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Combine the Dressing ingredients in a jar and shake. Set aside for 10 minutes or so for the flavours to meld.
- Place the Salad ingredients together in a large bowl along with half the crunchy noodles. Drizzle over dressing then toss. (Note 4)
- Divide between serving bowls. Top with more crunchy noodles and a good sprinkle of sesame seeds. Serve immediately!
Recipe Notes:
Originally published June 2015, updated with new photos and video. No change to recipe.Nutrition Information:
LIFE OF DOZER
He wasn’t bothered by the burs. Unlike me. Prickly legs!!!
Just perfect! I added a little shredded cucumber as well.
Delicious! Mine had to be gluten free so I used tamari (less than what was called for) and added cilantro and almond slivers (in lieu of crunchy noodles. Also tried it with GF spaghetti in the salad! I’ve been making it once a week for dinner. It’s that good.
Easy to prepare and very tasty. I used just one breast so there was sauce left over. Hoping to cook some pasta tomorrow and use the rest of the sauce with some more Parmesan on top.
I really like the sound of crunchy noodles on this salad but can’t get them in the UK unless anyone from UK can point me in the right direction please.
For crunchy noodles, just cut wonton wrappers into strips and fry them in oil until golden. They are delicious and addictive!
I rarely comment on blog recipes, but this Chinese/Asian Chicken Salad is an exception. I’ve made it many times since finding it maybe a year ago. Modesty aside, at meals with the extended family, I’ve got a reputation for good salads and am often asked to contribute in that way. With or without chicken, this recipe has been a top favorite for all of us. We can’t get enough of it!
I love this salad!!! My grocery store didn’t have Napa cabbage, so in a pinch I substituted it for romaine lettuce. Turned out really good
I love your recipes I have made this slaw cold and as a hot dish with ramen noodles and broccoli,sliced colored peppers,water chestnuts,in addition to the slaw ingredients.Ponzu sauce or housing works,or even peanut tsang.Yummy girl anyway you have it ,it disappears!!
I have made this several times now and this is my all time favorite now. It was so easy to put together and the dressing my family loved. Right now I cannot have soy so I made an avocado oil and vinegar with some spices. It was still delicious. And the nice part it stayed fresh the next day when I finished off what the family left behind. Thank you for such a beautiful, delicious salad like no other. Belly rubs for Dozer! ❤️🐾
Hi Mary,
Not sure what it is about the soy that you can’t have but it could be worth looking at tamari or coconut aminos as a possible substitute if they fit within your dietary parameters. They both have a similar flavour profile to soy sauce so may give you a closer match to the original recipe.
Although it sounds like you have a tasty alternative anyway.
I would love to make this, do you know of any gluten free noodles I could use Nagi?
Chang’s make gluten free fried noodles, that I found in Woolworths (Aust)
I use Rice Noodles and drop them in oil until in they puff up. This is much better than La Choy canned noodles. This is a fan favorite. You can also substitute shredded iceberg lettuce for cabbage
My friends loved this salad. It was the perfect light meal before our decadent dessert! Family consumed the leftovers the next day, which I think tasted better since the flavors had time to meld.
Normally I do not change your recipes but have medical problems now and am on a strict detox diet and soy is not allowed. I followed the recipe and dressing for the family but had to forgo the dressing and the noodles. Everyone said it was delicious and I have to agree even without the dressing and noodles. I had two bowls with avocado oil and vinegar and it was luscious. I was told the soy dressing and the noodles were what they all really liked about the salad. Thank you for something else that I can make and eat and not screw up my diet with and the rest of the family said they all loved it and it was a keeper! ❤️❤️
There is no such thing as a detox diet.
Finally I can make this at home! It’s the best! Thank you.
The dressing was really delicious! I modified some of the vegetables for what I had on hand-red pepper, snow peas and added mandarin oranges. Really delicious, fresh salad and it came together quickly. Thanks for another great recipe, we will be making it again!
I added almond slivers and a touch of red chili flakes to this recipe. Thank you for a great recipe. Perfect for those hot CA after work dinners- quick, tasty and easy.
Love chicken salad.
This looks amazing! I need to make it!
Thank you for the recipe of Asian chicken salad its so yummy.
Loved this recipe, but when I made it, there was a kind of bitter taste to it. Was it because of too much ginger, or something else? Pls let me know as I’d love to make it again. Had to add small tangerine for sweetness but only helped a bit. Thanks.
I personally only used light soy sauce, peanut oil, rice vinegar, crushed garlic & 1 pkg splenda. Poured this over pre packaged salad, shredded carrots 🥕, & crushed Top Ramen. Then of course the chicken. I hope this works for you…
This was fantastic! I will be making this recipe over and over again. Delicious. 🙂
That’s amazing Amy! I anm so happy that you enjoyed it! N x