I’ve had my fair share of chicken salads, but I wanted to change things up a bit. This Asian chicken salad is packed with protein and crisp veggies that will tantalize your taste buds and eyes! It’s naturally gluten-free and dairy-free, making it a perfect option for meal prepping.
Asian Chicken Salad
There’s something about the warmer weather that makes me crave a refreshing and crunchy salad. I like to have a variety of salads in my meal rotation, and this Asian salad is a unique twist with a slaw base instead of traditional lettuce. I opted for napa and red cabbage, but feel free to use green cabbage if that’s what you have on hand. Cabbage is a great main ingredient for a spring salad as it’s a cool weather crop.
I also added colorful and crunchy veggies like carrots and snow peas for added texture. Mandarin oranges provide a hint of sweetness, while the chicken adds a protein punch to the meal. The highlight of this salad is the dressing, which is packed with umami flavor from coconut aminos, garlic, and toasted sesame oil. A touch of sweetness comes from maple syrup and honey.
For the chicken, I recommend pre-cooking it at the beginning of the week for easy meal prep. You can use leftover chicken breasts, rotisserie chicken, chicken thighs, or grilled chicken. I like to cook my chicken in bone broth for tenderness, but grilled chicken works too. You can marinate the chicken in some sesame dressing for extra flavor if desired.
For garnishes, I suggest adding a layer of crunch with ingredients like toasted sesame vinaigrette instead of chow mein noodles. The vinaigrette features toasted sesame oil for a sweet and tangy flavor, with fresh garlic and ginger for added spice. Feel free to add siracha or red pepper flakes for a little heat.
This Asian-inspired chicken salad is a colorful, nutritious, and refreshing dish that combines an array of textures and flavors in one bowl. Add your desired garnishes like homemade wonton strips and green onions for extra flair. Remember to add the dressing and crispy garnishes just before serving if you’re making this salad ahead of time.
Looking for more salad ideas to add some crunch to your meals? Check out these easy recipes to keep your salad game strong. Share your favorite healthy salad in the comments below!