Easy Asian Chicken Salad Recipe That’s Bursting With Fresh Flavor

Crafting an incredible asian chicken salad brings excitement to weeknight dinners with minimal effort.

Fresh ingredients dance together in a vibrant medley of flavors.

Crisp vegetables provide remarkable crunch against tender, seasoned chicken strips.

Zesty dressing helps blend each component into a harmonious bite.

Light yet satisfying, this recipe offers a perfect balance of protein and greens.

Refreshing herbs and crunchy nuts add unexpected texture to every forkful.

Asian Chicken Salad That Balances Crunch And Tang

• Quick and Easy Weeknight Meal: Whip up this Asian Chicken Salad in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy families craving a delicious and nutritious dinner.
• Flavor-Packed Marinade Magic: The zesty marinade infuses the chicken with incredible Asian-inspired flavors, transforming a simple grilled chicken into a mouthwatering protein that elevates the entire salad.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Swap ingredients easily to suit dietary preferences or pantry availability – vegetarians can replace chicken with tofu, and those wanting extra crunch can add different nuts or crispy toppings.
• Restaurant-Quality at Home: Create a restaurant-worthy dish without the hefty price tag, impressing family and friends with professional-level culinary skills using simple, accessible ingredients and straightforward cooking techniques.

Items Used in Asian Chicken Salad

• Chicken: Lean protein that serves as the main component of the salad, best when marinated for extra flavor and grilled for a tender texture.

• Lettuce, Edamame, Carrots, Green Onions, Cilantro: Fresh vegetables that provide crunch, color, and nutritional variety to the salad, choose crisp and vibrant produce.

• Soy Sauce, Sesame Oil, Rice Vinegar: Key flavor enhancers that create a classic Asian-inspired profile, select high-quality brands for authentic taste.
• Water: Used to adjust the consistency of the dressing, helps balance the flavors.

• Cashews, Wonton Strips: Provide textural contrast and extra crunch, can be toasted for enhanced flavor.

Asian Chicken Salad Cooking Method

Step 1: Create Zesty Dressing

Whisk together all dressing ingredients in a small bowl.

Add water to achieve desired consistency.

Let the dressing sit at room temperature or chill in the refrigerator if preparing ahead of time.

Step 2: Marinate Chicken

Combine marinade ingredients in a small bowl.

Transfer chicken to a Ziplock bag and pour marinade over it.

Allow chicken to marinate in the refrigerator for up to 5 hours or at room temperature for 1 hour.

Step 3: Fire Up the Grill

Heat grill to 450°F.

Cook chicken for 3-4 minutes on each side until internal temperature reaches 160°F.

Let chicken rest briefly, then slice into strips.

Step 4: Assemble Vibrant Salad Base

• Crisp lettuce
• Shredded carrots
• Fresh cilantro
• Sliced green onions
• Edamame

Step 5: Add Crunchy Toppings

• Roasted cashews
• Crispy wonton strips
• Sliced grilled chicken

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Drizzle dressing over salad or serve on the side, allowing everyone to customize their portion.

Asian Chicken Salad Assembly Advice

• Adjust the marinade's intensity by reducing or increasing soy sauce and ginger to match your taste preferences.
• Marinate chicken overnight for deeper flavor infusion and more tender meat texture.
• Use medium-high heat to prevent burning while ensuring chicken remains juicy and perfectly cooked.
• Add wonton strips and cashews just before serving to maintain their crispy texture and prevent sogginess.
• Replace chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version that still delivers bold Asian-inspired flavors.

Asian Chicken Salad That Reheats With Crunch

• Store leftover salad and chicken separately in airtight containers to maintain freshness, keeping them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Place sliced chicken in a sealed container, ensuring it's covered to prevent drying out and absorbing other food odors.
• Keep the dressing in a separate jar with a tight lid, which helps maintain its flavor and prevents soggy salad ingredients.
• Warm the chicken gently in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of water to retain moisture.

Zesty Sips For Chicken Salad

• Pair with Crisp Riesling: Select a chilled, slightly sweet German Riesling to complement the salad's tangy dressing and balance the grilled chicken's savory notes.
• Enhance with Asian Beer: Choose a light Tsingtao or Sapporo beer to cut through the salad's richness and provide a refreshing contrast to the bold Asian flavors.
• Create Ginger Mocktail Companion: Blend fresh ginger, sparkling water, and a touch of lime juice for a zesty, non-alcoholic drink that mirrors the salad's vibrant Asian-inspired profile.
• Match with Green Tea: Serve a chilled sencha or jasmine green tea to echo the salad's herbal cilantro and green onion components while offering a clean, subtle backdrop.

Asian Chicken Salad Variants

• Vegetarian Delight: Replace chicken with grilled tofu or tempeh, marinated in the same Asian-inspired sauce for a protein-packed plant-based alternative.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap wonton strips with crispy rice noodles or gluten-free tortilla strips to maintain the crunchy texture while accommodating gluten sensitivities.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Substitute edamame with roasted cauliflower or zucchini, and use lettuce wraps instead of traditional salad base to reduce carbohydrate content.
• Seafood Variation: Swap chicken with grilled shrimp or seared salmon, maintaining the original marinade and dressing for a delightful ocean-inspired version of the salad.

FAQs

• What ingredients give this Asian Chicken Salad its unique flavor profile?

The combination of marinade with soy sauce, garlic, and ginger creates a deep, savory flavor, while the dressing adds tangy and sweet notes that complement the grilled chicken and fresh vegetables.

• Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Yes, you can prepare the chicken and dressing ahead of time. Marinate the chicken in advance, grill it, and store separately from the salad ingredients. Keep the dressing refrigerated, and assemble the salad just before serving to maintain crispness.

• Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Substitute regular wonton strips with gluten-free alternatives or use toasted nuts for crunch. Ensure you use gluten-free soy sauce in both the marinade and dressing to make the entire recipe gluten-free friendly.

• How can I add more protein to this salad?

Consider adding additional protein sources like hard-boiled eggs, tofu, or increasing the quantity of edamame. You can also use grilled shrimp or beef as an alternative protein option to chicken.

Asian Chicken Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Savor the zesty flavors of Asian Chicken Salad, a refreshing blend of crisp vegetables and tender chicken. Packed with tangy dressing and crunchy toppings, this dish delivers a perfect balance of textures that will transport you to the bustling streets of Southeast Asia.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 lbs (907 grams) chicken breasts, cut thin or into tenders

Marinade:

• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) soy sauce
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) mirin
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) honey
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) minced garlic

Salad Base and Toppings:

• 4 cups (about 2–3 heads) romaine lettuce, chopped
• 1 large carrot, shredded
• 1/2 cup (20 grams) cilantro, chopped
• 1/2 cup (50 grams) green onions, sliced
• 1 cup (150 grams) edamame
• 1/2 cup (60 grams) cashews, chopped
• 1/2 cup (30 grams) wonton strips

Dressing:

• 1/4 cup (60 grams) peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) hoisin sauce
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) honey
• 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
• 12 tabl

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Instructions

1. Craft a vibrant dressing by whisking together all components in a compact mixing vessel until smooth and well-integrated.
2. Adjust liquid consistency by introducing measured water, creating a light and pourable texture.
3. Allow dressing to rest at ambient temperature or chill in refrigerator if preparing ahead of time.
4. Prepare a robust marinade by thoroughly blending selected seasonings in a separate container.
5. Transfer raw chicken into a sealed plastic bag and completely saturate with prepared marinade.
6. Allow protein to absorb flavors by refrigerating for maximum 5 hours or maintaining at room temperature for 1 hour.
7. Heat outdoor grill to approximately 450°F, ensuring grates are clean and lightly oiled.
8. Position chicken on hot grill, cooking each side for 3-4 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160°F and exterior develops appetizing char marks.
9. Remove chicken from heat and permit brief resting period to redistribute internal juices before slicing.
10. Assemble salad foundation by combining crisp lettuce, julienned carrots, fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, and vibrant edamame in expansive serving bowl.
11. Enhance salad with crunchy cashews, crispy wonton strips, and elegantly sliced grilled chicken.
12. Finalize dish by drizzling dressing over entire salad or presenting separately for personalized serving preferences.

Notes

• Adjust dressing consistency by gradually adding water, ensuring a smooth, pourable texture that coats salad ingredients evenly.
• Marinate chicken for maximum flavor absorption, with refrigeration extending taste depth while maintaining meat tenderness.
• Grill chicken at high temperature to achieve perfect char marks and seal in juices, using meat thermometer for precise doneness.
• Customize salad for dietary needs by substituting cashews with pumpkin seeds for nut allergies, or using gluten-free wonton strips for celiac-friendly version.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Asian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 470
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 700 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg