Refreshing Asian Chopped Chicken Salad Recipe for Busy Days

Summer heat calls for a refreshing Asian chopped chicken salad that bursts with vibrant flavors and crisp textures.

This salad delivers a perfect balance of tangy and savory notes with every delightful bite.

Tender chicken mingles with crunchy vegetables, creating a symphony of tastes that dance across your palate.

Colorful ingredients like crisp cabbage, carrots, and green onions add visual appeal and nutritional punch.

A zesty dressing ties everything together, bringing a punch of umami and brightness to the dish.

Packed with protein and loaded with fresh ingredients, this salad makes an ideal lunch or light dinner option.

Dive into this simple yet spectacular meal that promises to satisfy your hunger and delight your taste buds.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 5

Asian Chopped Chicken Salad Ingredients for Crunch

• Chicken Breasts: Lean protein that provides a tender and juicy foundation for the salad, choose fresh, high-quality cuts with minimal fat.
• Olive Oil: Helps create a light, golden sear on chicken while adding subtle richness and preventing sticking.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the chicken's natural flavor and create a delicious base layer.

• Purple Cabbage, Napa Cabbage: Colorful, crisp vegetables that add vibrant texture and nutritional density, select firm and bright-colored heads.
• Carrots: Brings sweet crunch and beautiful orange color, pick fresh, firm carrots for maximum crispness.
• Almonds, Sesame Seeds: Provide delightful nutty crunch and toasty notes, toast lightly for enhanced flavor and aroma.
• Cilantro: Adds fresh, herbal brightness that complements the Asian-inspired profile, choose bright green leaves without wilting.

• Soy Sauce: Delivers umami depth and salty complexity, opt for low-sodium varieties if watching salt intake.
• Rice Vinegar: Introduces tangy brightness that balances the dressing, select clear, high-quality versions.
• Ginger: Brings zingy, warming undertones that elevate the entire dish's flavor profile.
• Honey: Adds subtle sweetness and helps bind the dressing, choose raw honey for more robust flavor.
• Sesame Oil: Contributes authentic Asian-inspired nutty essence, use sparingly for intense impact.

Tools to Toss Asian Chopped Chicken Salad Right

• Grill or Grill Pan: Essential for perfectly cooking chicken with those delicious char marks.
• Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious container to toss and combine all those vibrant vegetables and chicken.
• Small Mixing Bowl: Perfect for whisking together the zesty, flavor-packed dressing.
• Whisk: Helps blend the dressing ingredients smoothly and evenly.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for slicing chicken and chopping crisp vegetables with precision.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for all your chopping and slicing needs.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure dressing ingredients for balanced flavors.

Steps to Make Asian Chopped Chicken Salad Easily

• Chicken Preparation

Fire up the grill or grill pan with passion, coating chicken breasts in a silky olive oil glaze and seasoning with a whisper of salt and pepper. Cook until golden and perfectly tender, about 4-5 minutes per side.

• Veggie Chopping

Unleash your inner chef by transforming purple cabbage, napa cabbage, and carrots into a colorful medley. Slice, dice, and shred these vibrant ingredients into a welcoming bowl.

• Chicken Transformation

Let the grilled chicken rest briefly, then slice into delectable bite-sized pieces. Gently nestle these protein-packed morsels among the waiting vegetables.

• Flavor Symphony

Create a magical dressing by blending soy sauce, rice vinegar, zingy ginger, sweet honey, and nutty sesame oil. Whisk with love until the ingredients dance together harmoniously.

• Salad Fusion

Drizzle the dressing over the chicken and vegetables, tossing with care to ensure every morsel is kissed by the delightful sauce.

• Crunchy Finale

Crown your masterpiece with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds and crunchy almond slivers. Serve immediately and watch eyes light up with delight.

Tips for Enhancing Asian Chopped Chicken Salad Flavor

• Chicken Prep Pro: Pat the chicken dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect golden-brown exterior and maximum flavor absorption. For extra juiciness, let the chicken rest at room temperature for 15 minutes before grilling.
• Veggie Variation Station: Swap out cabbage types for a fun twist – try adding crisp bok choy, thinly sliced radishes, or cucumber for extra crunch and freshness. Experiment with seasonal vegetables to keep the salad exciting and nutritious.
• Protein Power-Up: Turn this salad into a meal-prep champion by using rotisserie chicken, grilled tofu, or shredded duck as protein alternatives. Leftover grilled chicken works beautifully and saves precious cooking time.
• Dressing Drama: Create a spicy kick by adding sriracha or chili oil to the dressing. For a creamy version, mix in a tablespoon of tahini or Greek yogurt. Always taste and adjust seasonings before final tossing.
• Crunch Factor Boost: Toast your almonds and sesame seeds in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes to intensify their nutty flavor.

Serve Asian Chopped Chicken Salad Cold and Fresh

• Fresh Flavor Boost: Garnish the salad with chopped fresh cilantro or green onions for an extra burst of brightness and herbal notes that complement the Asian-inspired dressing.
• Restaurant-Style Presentation: Serve the salad in a wide, shallow bowl to showcase the colorful vegetables and create an Instagram-worthy dish that looks as amazing as it tastes.
• Protein Power-Up: Add edamame or crispy tofu for extra protein and a delightful texture contrast that makes the salad more filling and nutritionally balanced.
• Crunch Factor Enhancement: Sprinkle some crispy wonton strips or crushed rice crackers on top to give the salad an unexpected and delightful crunch that elevates the entire eating experience.

Store Asian Chopped Chicken Salad to Keep It Crisp

• Quick Meal Prep Strategy: Chop all vegetables and cook chicken in advance during your weekly meal planning, storing components separately in airtight containers to assemble fresh salads within minutes.
• Refrigeration Heroes: Store dressed salad for up to 2 days, keeping crunchy toppings like almonds and sesame seeds separate to maintain their texture and prevent sogginess.
• Smart Protein Swap: Replace grilled chicken with rotisserie, leftover roasted, or poached chicken for faster preparation without compromising flavor profile and nutritional value.
• Temperature Tricks: Serve salad chilled or at room temperature, ensuring chicken is thoroughly cooled before mixing to maintain crisp vegetable integrity and prevent wilting of delicate cabbage leaves.

Zesty Asian Chopped Chicken Salad

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4.8 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Crisp mixed greens showcase the delightful asian chopped chicken salad with tender shredded chicken and crunchy vegetables. Zesty sesame dressing and toasted almonds provide refreshing flavor combinations for your quick and satisfying meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 thin boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 2 cups (473 ml) purple cabbage, chopped
• 3 cups (709 ml) napa or savoy cabbage, chopped
• 1 cup (237 ml) shredded carrots
• ¼ cup (59 ml) almonds, sliced
• 2 tbsps soy sauce
• 2 tbsps sesame oil
• 2 tbsps cilantro, chopped
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, finely minced
• 2 tsp honey
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high, creating an optimal cooking environment for chicken breasts.
2. Seasoning: Coat chicken with olive oil, then season generously with salt and pepper to amplify natural flavors.
3. Grilling: Cook chicken for 4-5 minutes per side, ensuring thorough cooking and achieving a golden-brown exterior.
4. Vegetable Preparation: Chop purple cabbage, napa cabbage, and carrots into uniform, bite-sized pieces using a sharp knife.
5. Salad Assembly: Allow grilled chicken to rest briefly, then slice into one-inch pieces and combine with prepared vegetables in a large mixing bowl.
6. Dressing Creation: Whisk soy sauce, rice vinegar, grated ginger, honey, and sesame oil in a small bowl until ingredients meld into a cohesive mixture.
7. Final Touch: Drizzle dressing over the salad, tossing carefully to ensure even coating, then garnish with sesame seeds and sliced almonds.
8. Serving: Present immediately to maintain the salad’s crisp texture and vibrant flavor profile.

Notes

• Grill with Precision: Maintain medium-high heat for perfectly golden chicken with a crisp exterior and juicy interior.
• Maximize Flavor Infusion: Massaging oil and seasoning directly onto chicken ensures deep, even flavor penetration.
• Rest for Tenderness: Allowing grilled chicken to rest redistributes internal juices, preventing dryness and enhancing meat’s natural moisture.
• Dress for Success: Whisk dressing ingredients thoroughly to create a balanced, harmonious flavor that coats every ingredient evenly.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg