Chinese Chicken Salad

I’ve included some videos I found relevant and helpful. 😍

Chinese chicken salad is a tasty mix of crunchy veggies, tender chicken, and a yummy Asian dressing. You can make it in just 15 minutes! This quick and easy salad is perfect for a light lunch or dinner.

The salad has shredded cabbage, carrots, and chicken. It’s topped with crunchy noodles and sesame seeds. The dressing is a blend of soy sauce, rice vinegar, and sesame oil. It’s sweet, tangy, and full of flavor.

Exact Ingredients List

This Chinese Chicken Salad uses a mix of fresh vegetables, protein, and crunchy toppings. The Asian dressing ties everything together with a flavorful blend of soy sauce, vinegar, and sesame oil.

Asian Dressing

To make the dressing, you’ll need:

• 2 tbsp light soy sauce
• 3 tbsp rice vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 2 tbsp grapeseed oil (or other neutral oil)
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 1/2 tsp fresh grated ginger
• 1 minced garlic clove
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Mix these ingredients in a jar and shake well. Let the flavors blend for about 10 minutes before using.

Salad

For the salad base, gather:

• 4 cups finely shredded Chinese cabbage
• 1 1/2 cups finely shredded red cabbage
• 1 cup finely julienned carrot
• 2 cups shredded chicken
• 1/2 cup finely sliced shallots or scallions

Combine these ingredients in a large bowl. The mix of cabbages gives a nice crunch, while the chicken adds protein.

Garnishes

Top your salad with:

• 1/2 to 1 cup crunchy noodles
• 1-2 tsp sesame seeds

Add half the noodles to the salad before tossing. Save the rest to sprinkle on top with the sesame seeds just before serving. This adds extra crunch and visual appeal to your dish.

Instructions

Mix the dressing ingredients in a jar and shake well. Let it sit for 10 minutes to blend flavors.

Put all salad ingredients in a big bowl. Add half the crunchy noodles. Pour the dressing over everything.

Toss the salad to coat with dressing. Make sure all ingredients are well mixed.

Divide the salad into serving bowls. Top with extra crunchy noodles and sprinkle sesame seeds on top.

Serve right away while the noodles are still crunchy. Enjoy your fresh and tasty Chinese Chicken Salad!

Remember to adjust the dressing amount to your liking. You can always add more if needed.

For meal prep, keep the dressing separate until ready to eat. This keeps the salad crisp and fresh.

Possible Substitutes List

Can’t find some ingredients? No problem! Here are some easy swaps for this Chinese Chicken Salad:

Cabbage:

• Swap Chinese cabbage for green cabbage or romaine lettuce
• Use all red cabbage instead of mixing types

Protein:

• Try shredded turkey or pork instead of chicken
• For a veggie option, use tofu or edamame

Crunchy toppings:

• Swap crunchy noodles for sliced almonds or chopped peanuts
• Try wonton strips or broken rice crackers

Dressing ingredients:

• Replace rice vinegar with apple cider vinegar
• Use honey instead of sugar for sweetness
• Swap grapeseed oil for any neutral oil like canola or vegetable

Veggies:

• Add cucumber or bell peppers for extra crunch
• Try mandarin orange segments for sweetness

Remember, you can adjust amounts to suit your taste. Feel free to get creative with your salad mix-ins!

How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly

You can make this Chinese Chicken Salad more diabetes-friendly with a few simple tweaks. Start by using skinless chicken breast to reduce fat content.

Replace the sugar in the dressing with a natural sweetener like stevia. Use less oil in the dressing to cut calories.

Add more non-starchy veggies like bell peppers or cucumber to boost fiber and nutrients. This helps slow digestion and prevent blood sugar spikes.

Go easy on the crunchy noodles, as they’re high in carbs. Instead, try adding some chopped peanuts or almonds for crunch.

Use brown rice vinegar instead of regular rice vinegar. It has a lower glycemic index.

Serve smaller portions to control carb intake. Pair the salad with a side of berries for a balanced meal.

Remember to check your blood sugar after trying this modified recipe. Everyone responds differently to foods, so adjust as needed.

Tips, Tricks & Storing

Make the dressing ahead of time to save prep time. You can store it in the fridge for up to a week.

Chop veggies in advance and keep them in airtight containers. This makes assembly quick and easy when you’re ready to eat.

For extra crunch, add chopped almonds or pumpkin seeds to your salad.

Try grilling the chicken for a smoky flavor. Slice it thinly against the grain for the best texture.

Keep the crunchy noodles separate until serving to prevent them from getting soggy. Add them right before eating for maximum crispiness.

Store leftover salad without dressing in the fridge for up to 2 days. Keep the dressing separate and add it just before eating.

For a vegetarian option, swap the chicken for tofu or edamame.

Experiment with different veggies like snap peas or bell peppers to add variety.

To make it a heartier meal, serve the salad over a bed of cooked rice or noodles.