Description
This vibrant Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad combines tender shredded chicken with crisp romaine, napa cabbage, and shredded carrots, tossed with a flavorful dressing of rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, and sesame oil. Toasted almonds and sesame seeds add a delightful crunch, while dried cranberries provide a sweet contrast. Quick to prepare and naturally gluten-free (when using tamari), this salad is perfect for a healthy lunch or light dinner with a refreshing Asian-inspired twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 4 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
- 6 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 2 cups shredded napa cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup sliced green onions
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds (toasted)
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds (toasted)
- 1/2 cup crispy wonton strips (optional)
Dressing
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the salad base: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, chopped romaine lettuce, shredded napa cabbage, shredded carrots, sliced green onions, dried cranberries, toasted almonds, and toasted sesame seeds. This mix creates the hearty foundation of the salad with a variety of textures and flavors.
- Add wonton strips (optional): If using, add the crispy wonton strips just before serving to maintain their crunchiness and prevent them from becoming soggy.
- Make the dressing: In a separate bowl or jar, whisk together the rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, olive oil, grated fresh ginger, and minced garlic until well combined. This dressing balances tangy, sweet, and savory notes with a hint of freshness from the ginger and garlic.
- Season the dressing: Taste the dressing and add salt and pepper as needed to suit your preference.
- Toss and serve: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing. Serve the salad immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quick and easy shortcut.
- Add mandarin oranges or edamame for additional flavor and texture variations.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and substitute with tofu or extra vegetables.
- To make the recipe gluten-free, use tamari instead of traditional soy sauce.
- Toast almonds and sesame seeds lightly in a dry skillet over medium heat to enhance their flavor before adding to the salad.
