Recipe for Chinese Chicken Salad - Balancing Motherhood (2024)

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.This classic Chinese chicken salad recipe is one of our all-time most requested recipes. I bring it to pot lucks, game days, and family gatherings because it can feed a crowd. It’s so versatile that I often serve it as home as a meal.

This is the Best Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe to make at home

I’ve been making this recipe for over 20 years because people love it so much and it’s really a simple dish to make. It’s ALWAYS a hit and I put it on my website for the sole purpose of sharing the recipe easily – no matter where I take this dish, I get asked for the recipe. So, now you have it too!

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One of the things I love the most about it is that you can make it the night before. It tastes better once the flavors are marinated together for a bit in the refrigerator. Our simple step-by-step instructions make this a recipe you can’t mess up.

Ingredients for Easy Chinese Chicken Salad

• 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 the Best Chinese Chicken Salad

1. Slice cabbage and put in a large mixing bowl.
2. Break ramen noodles into small pieces and sprinkle over cabbage.
3. Chop onion and sprinkle over mixture. Set aside.
4. Cook chicken over low heat (don’t let it get too brown) about 4 minutes per side.
5. Chop chicken into bite-sized pieces and add to mixture.
6. 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.
7. Sprinkle nuts and sesame seeds and cabbage mixture.
8. Toss all ingredients to combine.
9. Set aside and make the dressing.

How to make an Easy Chinese Chicken Salad Dressing

1. Mix together all dressing ingredients in a medium mixing bowl or glass jar with a lid.
2. Stir vigorously until all ingredients are combined.
3. Pour dressing over cabbage mixture
4. Mix well to make sure the dressing is incorporated over all of the salad.
5. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight.

Easy Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe tips and tricks

• 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.

What kind of cabbage works best for this Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe?

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.

Recipe for Chinese Chicken Salad Variations

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

Easy Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe protein swaps

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 the Best Chinese Chicken 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 the Best Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe

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

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