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Chinese Chicken Salad

By:Nagi
245 Comments
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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!

Overhead photo of 2 black bowls with Chinese Chicken Salad with Asian Dressing, ready to be eaten

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.

Asian Dressing being poured over Chinese Chicken Salad

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!

Chinese Chicken Salad with Asian Dressing in a white bowl, ready to be tossed

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

Close up of Chinese Chicken Salad with Asian Dressing in a rustic dark brown bowl, ready to be eaten

Chinese Chicken Salad - with crunchy noodles and an simple but amazing dressing by David Chang (Momofuku)

WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT

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Overhead photo of 2 black bowls with Chinese Chicken Salad with Asian Dressing, ready to be eaten

Chinese Chicken Salad

Author: Nagi | RecipeTin Eats
Prep: 15 mins
Total: 15 mins
Salad
Western Chinese
4.97 from 54 votes
Servings2 - 3
Tap or hover to scale
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Recipe video above. This one is all about the fabulous Asian Dressing and the slaw-type shape of the ingredients. Don't skip the crunchy noodles, they totally make this! Alternative Dressing: standby Asian Sesame Dressing (keeps for weeks).

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:

1. Light soy sauce is lighter in colour and flavor than ordinary soy sauce. Ordinary soy sauce is fine to use too. Do not use dark or sweet soy sauce. 
Sesame oil - use toasted sesame oil (ie dark brown colour, not light yellowy untoasted sesame oil). In Australia, we don't get regular untoasted sesame oil at supermarkets, we only have toasted.
2. Chinese Cabbage is my favourite in this because it's softer than other green cabbages. If you use another green cabbage (or all red cabbage), what I'd do is to toss salad with dressing WITHOUT noodles, leave for 10 minutes to let cabbage soften slightly. Then proceed with recipe.
3. You can buy crunchy fried noodles in the Asian section of supermarkets. I don't even know if you can get them in Asian grocery stores! They are cheap - just over $1 for a packet. You can use any crunchy fried noodles - thick or thin. I use a brand called Chang's (yellow packet).
4. Make ahead: Keep salad, dressing and garnishes separate until ready to serve. Chopped salad keeps for 5 days in an airtight container. Dressing keeps for 2 to 3 days in fridge, if keeping longer, add garlic and ginger before serving. Cooked chicken keeps for 3 days in the fridge - can also be frozen. 
5. Nutrition per serving assuming 3 servings, chicken breast and 1/2 cup of crunchy noodles are used.
Chinese Chicken Salad
Originally published June 2015, updated with new photos and video. No change to recipe.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 320gCalories: 412cal (21%)Carbohydrates: 17.3g (6%)
Did you make this recipe?I love hearing how you went with my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @RecipeTinEats.

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I believe you can make great food with everyday ingredients even if you’re short on time and cost conscious. You just need to cook clever and get creative!

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245 Comments

  1. Mary says

    5 stars
    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! ❤️🐾

    Reply

  3. Karen says

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply

  4. Mary says

    5 stars
    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! ❤️❤️

    Reply

  5. Rhonda Horne says

    5 stars
    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.

    Reply

  9. Bandit's Slave says

    4 stars
    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.

    Reply

  11. Susan says

    5 stars
    Made this last night and it was all very very good but the absolute winner was the dressing! I also added a bit of the syrup from the mandarins. Thank you for the recipe

    Reply

  12. Patty Thompson says

    In the US. Prefer not to shallow fry but definitely want the noodles. Would the crunchy chow mein noodles by La Choy be a suitable substitute? I went to Asian Market and was told they had nothing fried/comparable to Chang’s. Thank you.

    Reply

  14. Tim says

    5 stars
    Outstanding taste worthy of restaurant menus. We added peanuts and toasted sesame seeds instead of the noodles. Thank you for sharing!!!

    Reply
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