Name: Easy Chinese Chicken Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce; 1/3 cup rice vinegar; 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil; 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil; 2 tablespoons honey; 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated; 12-ounce bag broccoli slaw; 1 1/2 cups shredded carrots; 4 scallions, sliced; 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, chopped; 8-ounce can sliced water chestnuts; 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded; 1 cup dry Chow Mein noodles; 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

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This vibrant, Easy Chinese Chicken Salad recipe features shredded chicken, crunchy vegetables and Chow Mein noodles, tossed in a tangy Asian dressing. And, it's on the table in less than 10 minutes for those busy weeknight dinners!

A large black bowl filled with Chinese chicken salad featuring shredded chicken, shredded carrots, broccoli slaw, scallions, water chestnuts and chow mein noodles, with a pair of chopsticks on top and dressing in a glass pourer, and a linen napkin on the side.

If you love a good chicken salad, then this recipe, my foodie friends, is for you! This is my healthier version of the traditional Chinese Chicken salad, using colorful broccoli slaw as the base, instead of shredded cabbage.

This tasty chicken salad is so versatile! Try using up whatever crisp, colorful vegetables you have in your fridge. There are no rules!

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What ingredients are in the asian dressing?
What ingredients are in the salad?
Easy ingredients for minimal prep time
How to assemble the salad
How do you make this gluten free?
Recipe notes
Want more chinese-inspired recipes?
Easy Chinese Chicken Salad

What ingredients are in the asian dressing?

Labeled ingredients in small glass bowls for making the dressing for Chinese chicken salad along with a ginger root, on a gray surface.

[*See recipe card for exact quantities.]

This Asian dressing is beyond easy to prepare. You probably already have all of these ingredients in your pantry!

low-sodium soy sauce
rice vinegar
grapeseed oil
sesame oil
honey
ginger
black pepper

A woman's hands whisking the Asian salad dressing for Chinese chicken salad in a small white bowl, with other glass bowls surrounding.

This Asian dressing is incredible easy to make. Just add all of the ingredients into a small bowl, and whisk together until well-combined. That's it!

TOP TIP: This Asian salad dressing is also great as a marinade for just about any protein! Make extra so you can save for another amazing meal!

What ingredients are in the salad?

Labeled ingredients in small bowls for making Chinese chicken salad on top of a gray surface.

[*See recipe card for exact quantities.]

Here's what I used, but like I said, you can get creative with your own salad ingredients. Don't like carrots? Add red bell peppers. Don't like Chow Mein noodles? Add crunchy rice noodles. It's up to you!

cooked chicken breast
broccoli slaw
shredded carrots
scallions
sliced water chestnuts
fresh cilantro
Chow Mein noodles
sesame seeds

TOP TIP: Broccoli slaw does not wilt, so this Chinese chicken salad is perfect for eating the leftovers days later. I like to throw the leftovers on top of field greens or other lettuces.

A whole cooked chicken breast and a pile of shredded chicken breast on top of a wooden cutting board with a chef's knife on the side.

Make it easy on yourself. Buy a prepared rotisserie chicken at the grocery store and shred up the chicken breasts. That's what I did! Doesn't get much easier than that!

Easy ingredients for minimal prep time

There is nothing easier than this salad when you buy already prepared items. Here's what I used:

A cooked rotisserie chicken that I shredded.
A package of shredded carrots.
A package of broccoli slaw.

How to assemble the salad

A hand pouring dressing into a large black bowl filled with Chinese chicken salad featuring shredded chicken, shredded carrots, broccoli slaw, scallions, water chestnuts and chow mein noodles, with a linen napkin on the side.

Place all of the ingredients in a bowl.
Pour the dressing on top.
Toss and serve! Isn't that easy?

How do you make this gluten free?

This recipe is easily adaptable to a gluten-free version. Instead of soy sauce, use coconut aminos or tamari. And, instead of regular Chow Mein noodles, use Gluten-Free Chow Mein Noodles, or deep-fry some vermicelli rice noodles (it's so easy!). Here's a link to learn how: Crispy Rice Noodles. You can also add in cooked rice noodles for a different twist!

A hand with tongs with large black bowl filled with Chinese chicken salad featuring shredded chicken, shredded carrots, broccoli slaw, scallions, water chestnuts and chow mein noodles, with a pair of chopsticks, a linen napkin, and dressing in a glass pourer on the side.

Recipe notes

This salad is a great way to use up leftover chicken! I used a store-bought rotisserie chicken and used the leftover breasts.
You can make the Asian dressing ahead of time, and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Let it defrost at room temperature before using.
You can store this salad in the refrigerator for up to four days in an air-tight container. Broccoli has staying power so it should not wilt, even if coated with dressing.

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