Name: Chinese Chicken Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 4 cups Napa cabbage, shredded; 3 cups iceberg lettuce, chopped; 2 u00bd cups cooked chicken, diced; 1 cup carrots, julienned; 11 oz mandarin oranges, drained and patted dry; 1/3 cup green onions, diced; u00bd cup chow mein noodles; u00bd cup crispy wonton strips; u00bc cup sliced almonds; 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds; 2 tablespoons rice vinegar; 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce; 2 tablespoons peanut oil (or avocado, vegetable, or canola oil); 2 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 tablespoon honey; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 teaspoon peanut butter (optional); u00be teaspoon toasted sesame oil; u00bd teaspoon ground ginger

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

It’s fast, fresh, and loaded with textures—crisp cabbage, juicy mandarin oranges, savory chicken, and those addictive crunchy toppings that somehow disappear the second you turn your head. This recipe is especially perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep lunches, or the moment you realize you’ve eaten one too many “handfuls of crackers” and need a real meal.

Why You’ll Love This Chinese Chicken Salad

It’s quick and no-cook friendly. If your chicken is already cooked, you’re basically just assembling happiness.
Sweet-salty dressing magic. Hoisin, soy sauce, honey, and sesame oil give you that takeout-style flavor without mystery ingredients.
Great for picky eaters. You can keep toppings “on the side” and let everyone build their own bowl like a salad bar at home (minus the awkward sneeze guard).

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Salad

4 cups Napa cabbage, shredded
3 cups iceberg lettuce, chopped
2 ½ cups cooked chicken, diced
1 cup carrots, julienned
11 oz mandarin oranges, drained and patted dry
1/3 cup green onions, diced
½ cup chow mein noodles
½ cup crispy wonton strips
¼ cup sliced almonds
2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

For the Dressing

2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon honey
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon peanut butter (optional, but tasty)
¾ teaspoon toasted sesame oil
½ teaspoon ground ginger

How to Make Chinese Chicken Salad

This is the kind of recipe that feels fancy, but the steps are basically: shake, chop, pile, crunch.

Step 1: Shake Up the Dressing

Add all dressing ingredients to a jar with a tight lid. Shake it like you’re mad at your inbox. Keep going until it looks smooth and combined.

Step 2: Start with the Greens

On a big serving platter or in a large bowl, layer your shredded Napa cabbage and chopped iceberg lettuce.

Drizzle just a little dressing over the greens first. This helps everything start mingling without turning the salad into soup.

Step 3: Add the Good Stuff

Now pile on:

diced cooked chicken
julienned carrots
mandarin oranges
green onions

Step 4: Bring the Crunch Party

Right before serving, sprinkle on:

sliced almonds
chow mein noodles
wonton strips
toasted sesame seeds

Serve with extra dressing on the side so everyone can dress their own bowl (and so leftovers don’t get sad and soggy).

Dressing Notes: The Flavor That Makes It “Chinese Chicken Salad”

This dressing is doing a lot of heavy lifting—in the best way.

Soy sauce brings salty balance.
Rice vinegar brightens everything up.
Honey smooths out the edges.
Sesame oil adds that unmistakable “takeout aroma” that makes your kitchen smell like a treat.

And that tiny spoonful of peanut butter? Optional, yes—but it gives the dressing a slightly creamy, rich finish that feels like a restaurant upgrade.

My Little Story With This Salad

So now I do what any reasonable chicken-loving cook would do: I make extra wonton strips and chow mein noodles and pretend it’s “for garnish.” We all know the truth. Crunch is the love language here.

Chinese Chicken Salad with shredded lettuce and cabbage, sliced chicken, mandarin oranges, crunchy toppings, and sesame dressing on a white platter — Chinese Chicken Salad topped with mandarin oranges, tender chicken, and crunchy bites for a bright, satisfying meal.

Tips for the Best Crunchy Chinese Chicken Salad

Pat the mandarin oranges dry. If they’re wet, they’ll water down the salad and mess with the crunch. (Nobody wants damp wonton strips.)
Use cold chicken. Warm chicken can wilt lettuce fast. Chill it first if you can.
Toast your almonds (optional but amazing). A quick toast in a dry pan makes them taste extra nutty and rich.

Easy Variations (Because Life Happens)

Rotisserie chicken shortcut: Dice it up and you’re done. Instant weeknight hero move.
Make it spicy: Add a little sriracha to the dressing or sprinkle red pepper flakes on top.
No peanuts: Skip peanut oil and peanut butter; use avocado or canola oil instead.
More protein: Add extra chicken or toss in edamame if you want.

FAQs About Chinese Chicken Salad

Can I make Chinese Chicken Salad ahead of time?

What’s the best chicken to use?

Anything cooked works: rotisserie, grilled, baked, even leftover chicken from last night. Just dice it up. This Chinese Chicken Salad is a “use what you have” kind of friend.

Can I substitute Napa cabbage?

You can. Regular green cabbage or a bagged coleslaw mix works in a pinch. Napa is softer and a bit sweeter, but the salad will still be delicious.

How do I store leftovers?

Is the peanut butter really optional in the dressing?

Totally. It adds a subtle creamy richness, but the dressing still tastes fantastic without it.

Bring the Magic to Your Table

When you need something fresh but filling, light but satisfying, and crunchy enough to make you forget you’re eating a salad—Chinese Chicken Salad is the answer. It’s colorful, easy, and just fancy enough to feel like a little treat (even if you’re eating it out of a bowl while standing at the counter… no judgment here).

Keep the Crunch Going: More Fresh Favorites to Try

If you loved the sweet-and-crunchy vibe here, you’ll probably fall hard for Thai Quinoa Crunch Salad.
Want another easy dinner that feels “restaurant-y” but is totally weeknight-friendly? Try Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps.
Craving something with that same fun, crispy-topping energy? Don’t miss Potsticker Salad (it’s a whole mood).

And if you make this Chinese Chicken Salad, please come back and leave a quick review—tap your star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and tell me what you added (extra wonton strips totally counts as “self-care”).