Chinese Chicken Salad

Enjoy this Chinese Chicken Salad for a cool, refreshing lunch or light dinner. Topped with a Sesame Ginger Dressing, this easy salad combines Asian-inspired flavors with shredded chicken and coleslaw mix. It’s always a hit at parties and potlucks, so add it to your menu today!

It seems like everyone has their own version of this Chinese Chicken Salad! I made this version with an eye for convenience, which is why I used a rotisserie chicken and a bagged coleslaw mix. But one area I won’t use a shortcut for is the Sesame Ginger Dressing! It’s so easy to make your own salad dressing, and the extra effort is worth it for the flavor!

This salad holds up well for a day or two in the fridge, too, making it perfect for leftovers! The dressing takes just a few minutes to make, and you can store it on the side to add whenever you’re ready to eat the salad. I like to keep it in a mason jar with a lid so it’s easy to store and pour.

Ingredients for Ramen Noodle Salad

A fresh salad like this requires a trip to the grocery store for the best ingredients. Here’s what’s on my list:

Coleslaw mix, bagged

Shredded chicken- I use leftover rotisserie chicken, but you can use a boneless, skinless chicken breast

Yellow bell pepper

Canned mandarin oranges

Sliced almonds

Pickled red onions

Green onions, chopped

Freshly chopped parsley

Crunchy noodles from an instant ramen packet (discard the seasoning packet)

Sesame Ginger Dressing Ingredients

Rice wine vinegar

Honey

Low-sodium soy sauce

Sesame oil

Freshly minced ginger

Minced garlic

Chili paste (or you can also use red pepper flakes)

Olive oil

Find the detailed ingredient amounts in the printable recipe card below.

How to Make Chinese Chicken Salad

Like most salad recipes, this chicken salad is easy to make with just a little prep time!

First, I prepare all my vegetables. I core, seed, and slice the yellow pepper into thin strips. Then I drain the oranges and red onions, chop the green onions, and chop the parsley.

In a large bowl, I place the coleslaw mix, shredded chicken, yellow pepper slices, mandarin oranges, sliced almonds, pickled red onion, green onions, and parsley. I gently crush the ramen noodles to the desired side, then add them as well. Then I mix all these ingredients together carefully.

For The Chinese Chicken Salad Dressing

Next, I make the Sesame Ginger Dressing. In a small bowl, I whisk together the rice vinegar, honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, minced garlic,  and chili paste. Then, while whisking continually, I pour in the olive oil and stir until completely blended.

I drizzle the dressing over the salad just before serving, and gently toss everything to coat. If I’m not going to serve the salad right away, I store the dressing in a lidded container in the fridge until I am ready to serve it.

Recipe Variations

Shred a head of cabbage instead of using coleslaw mix. I recommend Napa cabbage/Chinese cabbage! Then you can also add in some julienned carrots. I just like using the pre-bagged mix for ease.

If you don’t like cabbage, shredded romaine lettuce is a great alternative.

Use crunchy fried noodles, sesame seeds, or fried wonton strips instead of ramen to provide the crunch in the salad. You could also add nuts like peanuts or cashews.

FAQs

How long does this Chinese Chicken Salad last in the fridge?

Undressed, this salad is good for 3-4 days in the fridge. Once the dressing is added, it can still hold up for a day or so due to the firmness of the veggies in the salad. Want more crunch? Add more dry ramen noodles.

Can I make this vegetarian?

Yes, omit the chicken and consider adding a protein like tofu or edamame instead.

How long is the salad dressing good for?

I find it lasts for a week or so when kept in an airtight container in the fridge. Make sure to stir or shake it before using as oil separation will occur.

More Asian-Inspired Recipes

Chinese Chicken Salad is an American-Asian fusion dish. Here are some more popular Asian-inspired recipes from the blog:

Roasted Pork Tenderloin with an easy Asian marinade is juicy, flavorful, and so simple to prepare! Follow our pro tips to make the best roast pork with this easy recipe!

This Pork Potstickers recipe is one you’ll come back to again and again because it’s so easy! They’re made of ground pork, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and cabbage tucked into a potsticker wrapper, fried, and then steamed. They make a delicious appetizer or main course for dinner.

This Coconut Rice recipe transforms ordinary grains of rice into a fragrant, rich side dish. It’s the perfect accompaniment to an Asian inspired dinner and takes hardly any extra effort at all!

Pad See Ew is a very popular Thai dish made with chicken, a sweet-salty sauce, broccoli rabe, and flat rice noodles, often sold by street vendors in Thailand. This super easy, fast, and delicious recipe is one your family will love any night of the week!

Take your appetizer game to the next level with this easy Garlic Edamame recipe. Edamame pods are sautéed with garlic and ginger for the perfect start to any Asian meal.

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