Asian-Inspired Chicken Salad
Published on April 30, 2025
Quick Summary
This easy Asian-Inspired Chicken Salad is loaded with shredded rotisserie chicken, crunchy cabbage, edamame, carrots, cucumber, fresh herbs, and creamy avocado—all tossed in a bold sesame ginger soy dressing. It’s fresh, fast, and full of flavor—perfect for a quick lunch or a no-fuss dinner.
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Easy & Fresh Asian-Inspired Chicken Salad
You know those recipes you make once… and then suddenly you’re making them every week? This Asian Chicken Salad is that kind of recipe. It’s fresh, colorful, and full of texture—every bite has something exciting going on.
You get the tender shredded chicken (I cheat a little and use rotisserie to keep it simple), the crisp crunch of cabbage and carrots, cool cucumber, buttery avocado, and pops of protein from edamame.
Then there’s the punch of flavor from fresh herbs—cilantro and mint really brighten everything up. Toss all of that in a sesame ginger dressing that’s tangy, savory, a little sweet, and deeply satisfying… and honestly, it tastes like something you’d order at a restaurant, but is so easy to make at home.
Whether you’re meal-prepping lunches for the week or need a quick, no-fuss dinner, this one’s a winner. Trust me—once you make it, you’ll be hooked.
Tips for Salad Success
- Use rotisserie chicken to keep the salad super simple. You can also use grilled, baked, or poached chicken, just chop it up!
- I like to use green cabbage, but to save even more time, use pre-shredded slaw mix.
- Make it vegetarian by swapping chicken for crispy tofu, tempeh, or even chickpeas.
- Add the avocado just before serving to keep it fresh and prevent browning.
- Toast your nuts/seeds for extra flavor—just a few minutes in a dry skillet makes a big difference.
- Customize it! Throw in bell peppers, shredded radish, or even mandarin orange segments for extra flavor and color.
- Make it vegetarian by swapping chicken for crispy tofu, tempeh, or even chickpeas.
- Meal prep tip: Store the salad and dressing separately, then toss everything together when you’re ready to eat to keep it fresh and crisp.
Asian-Inspired Chicken Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing
Ingredients
For the dressing:
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil or olive oil
- 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons lite soy sauce or Tamari
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 heaping teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- Crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
For the salad:
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup chopped cucumber
- 1 cup edamame
- 1 avocado, diced
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup chopped mint
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1/3 cup chopped peanuts or cashews
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- Chili crunch, for serving, optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, soy sauce (or Tamari), rice wine vinegar, honey, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and crushed red pepper flakes.
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cabbage, carrots, cucumber, edamame, avocado, green onions, cilantro, mint, and sesame seeds.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until well combined. Top with peanuts or cashews. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if necessary. You can serve with a little chili crunch, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make this salad ahead of time? Yes! You can prep all the ingredients up to 3 days in advance. Keep the avocado and dressing separate until you’re ready to serve to prevent browning and sogginess.
- Can I use another protein? Absolutely. Grilled shrimp, baked tofu, or even seared steak all work beautifully here.
- What can I substitute for edamame? Green peas or shelled fava beans make a great substitute, though edamame gives the salad a nice protein boost.
- Can I make it nut-free? Yes, simply skip the peanuts or cashews. For crunch, try sunflower seeds or crispy wonton strips instead.
- Can I add a grain to this salad? Absolutely! Adding rice, quinoa, or farro is a great way to make the salad even heartier. Just cook the grain ahead of time, let it cool, and mix it in with the veggies and chicken. It adds extra texture and makes for a more filling meal, perfect if you’re looking to bulk it up a bit.
More Salad Recipes
- Asian Quinoa Salad
- Cucumber Edamame Salad
- Mandarin Orange Salad
- Easy Cucumber Salad
- Sesame Ginger Carrot Salad
- Cabbage Salad
Check out all of my SALAD RECIPES!
