Description
The Asian Chicken Crunch Salad is a fresh, flavorful, and texture-packed salad that combines tender cooked chicken breast with crisp mixed greens, shredded carrots, green onions, and crunchy toppings like sliced almonds or chow mein noodles. Tossed in a tangy, slightly sweet dressing made from soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, and ginger, this salad is perfect for busy weeknights or quick lunches. It’s healthy, versatile, and full of vibrant flavors, making it an ideal meal prep option that doesn’t sacrifice taste or convenience.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 1 to 2 cooked chicken breasts, shredded or diced
Salad Base
- 4 cups mixed greens (romaine and napa cabbage)
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 3 green onions, sliced
Crunchy Toppings
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds or chow mein noodles
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Cook the chicken breast by boiling, grilling, or pan-searing until fully cooked. Shred or dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces to ensure tender protein that absorbs the dressing well.
- Assemble the Greens and Veggies: Wash and chop the mixed greens including romaine and napa cabbage. Add shredded carrots and sliced green onions to the greens for added freshness, sweetness, and vibrant color.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, sesame oil, and freshly grated ginger. This creates a balanced tangy and slightly sweet dressing that ties the salad together.
- Toss Everything Together: In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens, veggies, and cooked chicken. Pour the dressing over and toss well to coat every ingredient evenly for a burst of flavor in every bite.
- Add the Crunch: Just before serving, sprinkle sliced almonds or chow mein noodles, sesame seeds, and chopped cilantro on top to add a delightful crispy finish that makes the salad unforgettable.
Notes
- Use warm chicken to help the dressing coat better and meld flavors.
- Chop vegetables uniformly to ensure balanced texture in each bite.
- Make dressing ahead of time to save preparation time and deepen flavors.
- Lightly toast almonds to enhance their flavor and crunchiness.
- Keep crunchy toppings separate until serving to avoid sogginess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1/4 of total recipe)
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
Keywords: Asian Chicken Salad, Crunchy Chicken Salad, Healthy Chicken Salad, Quick Asian Salad, Gluten-Free Salad, Chicken Crunch Salad
