Chinese Chicken Salad with Homemade Dressing
This vibrant salad combines crisp Napa cabbage, hearty lettuce, flavorful chicken, and juicy mandarin oranges with a light and tangy homemade dressing.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 4 cups Napa cabbage, shredded
- 3 cups Iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 2 ½ cups cooked chicken, diced Use cooked chicken for convenience.
- 1 cup carrots, julienned
- 11 oz. mandarin oranges, drained and patted dry Ensure they are dry to maintain crispness.
- ⅓ cup green onions, diced
- ½ cup chow mein noodles Add just before serving for crunch.
- ½ cup crispy wonton strips Add just before serving for crunch.
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
Dressing Ingredients
- 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 Adjust to taste.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon peanut butter (optional) For extra creaminess.
- ¾ teaspoon toasted sesame seed oil
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
Prepare the Dressing
- Combine the rice vinegar, hoisin sauce, peanut oil, soy sauce, honey, minced garlic, peanut butter (if using), toasted sesame seed oil, and ground ginger in a jar with a lid.
- Seal it tightly and shake well until everything is fully incorporated. Refrigerate to chill.
Assemble the Salad
- In a large bowl, arrange the Napa cabbage and Iceberg lettuce as the base. Drizzle some dressing over the greens.
- Add the diced cooked chicken on top, then sprinkle with julienned carrots, mandarin oranges, and diced green onions.
- Drizzle more dressing over the salad to flavor everything.
- Top with sliced almonds, crispy chow mein noodles, and wonton strips just before serving.
- Serve with remaining dressing on the side.
Notes
For best results, add toppings just before serving to retain their crunch. Pat mandarin oranges dry and adjust the sweetness to suit your taste.