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Chinese Chicken Salad

May 18, 2012 by Cynthia 54 Comments

Chinese chicken salad starts with finely shredded Napa cabbage. Shredded chicken breast, Mandarain oranges, scallions, sesame seeds and almonds are added, then a sweet Asian dressing is drizzled over everything.

Chinese Chicken Salad

The weather is starting to warm up again…salad days are here again. I could eat a salad every day, and usually do in the summer. There are no outstanding favorites for me, because I like them all, from Greek to Mediterranean.

I often hesitate ordering a Chinese Chicken Salad in a restaurant though, because they can really pack in hidden calories with the super sweet dressings! I like to know what goes in my food, whether it’s good or bad. My mom made Chinese Chicken Salad for PTA functions in the 60’s, when it was considered “exotic”.  A lot of Chinese Chicken Salad recipes use the ramen seasoning package and noodles. Those packets are loaded with chemicals, MSG and who-knows-what else. This dressing recipe is just as easy, but with simple ingredients. I also use Mandarin oranges that are canned in their own juice rather than “syrup”.

Chinese Chicken Salad, crisp cabbage, shredded chicken in a slightly sweet dressing with sliced almonds and mandarin oranges.@whatagirleats.com

Chinese Chicken Salad

Swap out the Mandarin oranges for fresh tangerines or diced mango, and cashews or peanuts for the almonds. I used to add crunchy noodles, and sometimes I do, but since I’m getting ready for bathing suit season, I don’t need the extra carbs. The nuts give it plenty of crunch.

If I’m making this salad just for the family, I’ll add fresh chopped cilantro. If I’m making it for a big group, I omit it, since cilantro seems to have a  small fan base. The good thing about using cabbage is that it holds its crunch a lot longer than lettuce, so you can make it an hour or so ahead of serving. It will even taste good the following day for lunches.

This recipe makes a lot of Chinese chicken salad.

It’s my “go-to” salad for baby and wedding showers and will make 8 luncheon portions. If you’re serving smaller portions as a side dish for a picnic or BBQ, it will serve double that.

Chinese chickens salad, gluten free and low carb.
Print
Chinese Chicken Salad
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
 
Crisp cabbage, shredded chicken and mandarin oranges in a slightly sweet dressing. *To save time you can buy bags of pre-shredded cabbage in the produce section.
Course: Salad
Cuisine: Retro 60's American
Servings: 8 -12
Author: Cynthia McCloud Woodman
Ingredients
  • 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
  • 5 Tablespoons sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons sesame oil
  • 2 teaspoons fresh grated ginger
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/3 cup vegetable or peanut oil
  • 4 cups cooked chicken breast either shredded, diced or chopped
  • 1 bunch of green onions slice thin on the diagonal
  • 2 11 ounce cans of Mandarin Oranges drained (or fresh oranges)
  • 1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds
  • 1 cup sliced or slivered almonds toasted
  • 1 large head of cabbage shredded*. (I've used regular cabbage and Napa cabbage. Napa is a bit softer than regular green cabbage. You could also use iceberg, romaine or field greens.)
Instructions
  1. Combine the first 7 ingredients, rice wine vinegar to vegetable oil, in a small sauce pan and heat over a low heat just until sugar is dissolved. Let cool and refrigerate.
  2. For the salad, combine all ingredients in a large bowl and toss with dressing.

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Greek Salad

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Chinese chickens salad, gluten free and low carb.

Chinese Chicken Salad. Light, healthy and delicious! Gluten free.

 

 

 

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Filed Under: Food, Gluten Free, Salad, Savories, Sides Tagged With: Asian, Chinese chicken salad, Chinese chicken salad dressing, Chinese salad with cabbage, mandarin oranges, salad, Side Dish

 

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Comments

  1. Elaine Houghton says

    May 18, 2012 at 4:57 pm

    This sounds so good. I remember your mom making it back in the days. I will try it soon. Being that my Dr. told me I was a little to chubby a couple days ago I will try and take off a few pounds first. I love your blog and all your writings.

    Reply
    • Cynthia says

      May 20, 2012 at 4:44 pm

      Elaine, try staying away from wheat products, cookies, bread, cakes, etc. for a couple of weeks…The weight will slip off!

      Reply
  2. Denise@BeBetsy says

    May 21, 2012 at 4:58 pm

    Love this salad! Sesame oil is to go crazy for! Will make this soon – or will have hubby make it which is even better. Great stuff!

    Reply
    • Cynthia says

      May 21, 2012 at 7:09 pm

      Denise…sometimes I add crunchy stuff too! Fried won tons, crispy noodles!

      Reply
  3. Lynne says

    April 24, 2013 at 7:58 pm

    How many servings would you say this makes? I’m hosting a baby shower on Saturday 🙂 This and your chicken salad is on the menu. Also, I’m super lazy… do I have to toast the sesame seeds and almonds? 😉

    Reply
  4. Cynthia says

    April 25, 2013 at 10:48 pm

    I would say 8-10…I like the toasted seeds and nuts for the flavor, but you can buy pre-toasted nuts from Trader Joe’s.

    Reply
  5. Maggie @ Mama Maggie's Kitchen says

    June 5, 2013 at 9:08 am

    I’m just like you. I could eat a salad EVERY day in the summer…. with some cold lemonade. YUM! This looks great, btw. 🙂

    Reply
    • Cynthia says

      August 5, 2013 at 10:39 am

      @Maggie, Totally with you on that!

      Reply
  6. Elisabeth says

    August 4, 2013 at 9:16 pm

    Instead of sugar, substitute with half the amount of honey or agave. If you want more ‘crunchies’ add some water chestnuts! Recipe sounds great!

    Reply
    • Cynthia says

      August 5, 2013 at 10:39 am

      @Elisabeth, good suggestions! I’m not much of an agave person…Honey would be nice.

      Reply
  7. Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom says

    April 18, 2015 at 11:45 am

    One of my most favorite salads. Love the mandarin oranges!

    Reply
  8. David @ CookingChat says

    April 18, 2015 at 12:20 pm

    Good healthy idea!

    Reply
    • Cynthia says

      July 1, 2015 at 4:20 pm

      I love making calorie “bombs” healthier David!

      Reply
  9. Des @ Life's Ambrosia says

    June 23, 2015 at 9:28 pm

    what a flavorful salad! And I love that it is so versatile too.

    Reply
  10. Michelle @ The Complete Savorist says

    June 23, 2015 at 11:20 pm

    I love this recipe. I know the dish you describe from the past, I love it and can’t help but eat it when I see it. But I have wanted to make my own healthier version. You’ve done it for me.

    Reply
    • Cynthia says

      July 1, 2015 at 4:31 pm

      thanks Michelle…a lot of teachers bring the ramen seasoning packet version to school and it’s just loaded with chemicals and sodium…this one is simple and yet still delicious!

      Reply
  11. Megan Keno says

    June 24, 2015 at 5:13 pm

    Yummmm!

    Reply
    • Cynthia says

      July 1, 2015 at 4:31 pm

      haha!

      Reply
  12. Christina @ Christina's Cucina says

    June 24, 2015 at 9:09 pm

    I’ve actually never made an Asian style salad at home. Of course, when I order one at a restaurant, inevitably, I’ll say, “Why don’t I ever make this at home?” Getting in a rut and being a creature of habit is not good!

    I really need to try this at least once! Thanks for the inspiration and recipe!

    Reply
    • Cynthia says

      July 1, 2015 at 4:34 pm

      minus the cilantro! 😉

      Reply
      • Christina Conte says

        February 21, 2016 at 8:06 pm

        abso-frickin-lutely! haha! 😉

        Reply
  13. Kimberly says

    June 25, 2015 at 8:51 am

    You are my hero for making this without the salt-laden bomb that is a ramen seasoning packet! This is going on my “to make” list soon!

    Reply
    • Cynthia says

      July 1, 2015 at 4:34 pm

      So true Kimberly!

      Reply
  14. Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says

    June 25, 2015 at 10:06 am

    A classic, well loved salad. It looks delectable! (P.S. Cilantro on EVERYTHING!)

    Reply
    • Cynthia says

      July 1, 2015 at 4:29 pm

      haha Dorothy!

      Reply
  15. Christy @ Confessions of a Culinary Diva says

    June 26, 2015 at 8:32 am

    Definitely a classic! Light and refreshing – perfect summer fare!

    Reply
    • Cynthia says

      July 1, 2015 at 4:28 pm

      I agree Christy…definitely a summer time salad!

      Reply
  16. Carol says

    June 26, 2015 at 10:07 am

    Yum! All my favorite flavors going on. A “must try!”

    Reply
    • Cynthia says

      July 1, 2015 at 4:28 pm

      Carol, one of my family’s favorites!

      Reply
  17. fabiola@notjustbaked says

    June 26, 2015 at 11:27 am

    This is a family favorite, I love it! The mandarins make all the difference.

    Reply
    • Cynthia says

      July 1, 2015 at 4:26 pm

      So true Fabiola! I’ve used oranges in a pinch, but the mandarins make it!

      Reply
  18. Steph @ Steph in Thyme says

    June 27, 2015 at 7:06 am

    Crunchy, flavorful, crowd-pleasing picnic goodness!

    Reply
    • Cynthia says

      July 1, 2015 at 4:25 pm

      yes Steph! And it holds up reasonably well since it’s made with cabbage instead of lettuce!

      Reply
  19. Susan says

    June 28, 2015 at 5:10 am

    I rarely order Chinese chicken salad too but your version is so fresh and I love the swap suggestions you make.

    Reply
    • Cynthia says

      July 1, 2015 at 4:24 pm

      Thanks Susan, I try to make these calorie bombs at home so I can control the ingredients!

      Reply
  20. Faith (An Edible Mosaic) says

    June 28, 2015 at 6:54 am

    I love Chinese Chicken Salad, but never think to make it at home! Your version looks so yummy – perfect for weekday lunches!

    Reply
    • Cynthia says

      July 1, 2015 at 4:22 pm

      Faith, this is one of my favorite salads, and I like being able to have a healthier version at home!

      Reply
  21. Matt @ Plating Pixels says

    June 28, 2015 at 9:53 pm

    Sounds so healthy and refreshing. Orange and chicken make such a great combo!

    Reply
    • Cynthia says

      July 1, 2015 at 4:17 pm

      One of the girl’s favorite’s matt!

      Reply
  22. Derek says

    August 22, 2015 at 1:01 pm

    This looks spectacular! Thanks for the recipe!

    Reply
  23. Nutmeg Nanny says

    April 14, 2016 at 9:33 am

    This salad is so light and refreshing! It’s perfect for spring…yum!

    Reply
  24. Jenny | Honey and Birch says

    May 24, 2016 at 12:31 pm

    This sounds great – I love all kinds of salads too. I can’t wait to try this with each of your substitutions. Salad ideas for days!

    Reply
  25. Florentina says

    December 31, 2016 at 8:03 am

    Looks very tasty and easy to prepare, thank you for sharing this recipe.
    Flo

    Reply
    • Cynthia says

      January 3, 2017 at 3:37 pm

      thank you Florentina!It’s one of my favorites!

      Reply
  26. Leslie says

    February 13, 2017 at 10:28 am

    Cynthia, this one looks awesome! I’ve featured it in my new post today and I hope it’s ok!

    Reply
    • Cynthia says

      February 13, 2017 at 2:51 pm

      Thank you leslie!

      Reply
  27. Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says

    April 3, 2017 at 4:04 am

    Love how light and fresh this is! It’ll be perfect for lunch today 🙂

    Reply
  28. Taylor Kiser says

    April 3, 2017 at 3:12 pm

    This looks so fresh and delicious! Would love this for lunch!

    Reply

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Cynthia WoodmanHi, I’m Cynthia McCloud Woodman. Welcome to my blog ​where I cook healthy food with a global spin!

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