If you’re craving a dish that’s both vibrant and satisfying, you can’t go wrong with Crunchy Asian Sesame Chicken Salad. This colorful salad bursts with crisp vegetables, juicy chicken, and crunchy toppings, all tossed in a bold, tangy sesame dressing. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a celebration in a bowl — every bite is crunchy, fresh, savory, and just a little bit sweet. Whether you’re enjoying it for lunch, a light dinner, or as a meal-prep hero, this salad will quickly become a household favorite.

Crunchy Asian Sesame Chicken Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this salad counts, from the crisp veggies to the savory chicken and the nutty sesame seeds. Simple pantry staples become magic when blended for the dressing, while the garnishes send the whole dish over the top with texture and flavor.

Cooked and shredded chicken breast (2 cups): The heart of the salad; use rotisserie chicken for extra ease and flavor.
Shredded green cabbage (4 cups): Adds satisfying crunch and a vibrant color base.
Shredded red cabbage (1 cup): Brings a peppery note and a pop of purple that makes the salad look gorgeous.
Shredded carrots (1 cup): Offer sweetness and extra crunch with their vibrant orange hue.
Red bell pepper, thinly sliced (1): Gives sweet flavor and beautiful, bold color.
Green onions, chopped (2): Add a fresh, slightly sharp bite that awakens the palate.
Chopped cilantro (1/2 cup): Infuses the salad with a burst of herby brightness.
Sliced almonds (1/2 cup): Deliver nutty crunch that pairs perfectly with tender chicken.
Crispy wonton strips (1/2 cup): The irresistible topping that makes every bite extra special.
Sesame seeds (2 tablespoons): Toasty and nutty, they finish the salad with classic Asian flavor.
Rice vinegar (1/4 cup): Brings acidity and depth to the dressing.
Soy sauce (2 tablespoons): Adds rich umami and saltiness (swap for tamari if gluten-free).
Toasted sesame oil (1 tablespoon): Delivers that unmistakable, toasty sesame aroma.
Honey (1 tablespoon): Balances the savory and tangy notes with gentle sweetness.
Lime juice (1 tablespoon): Provides brightness and a fresh citrus zing.
Grated ginger (1 teaspoon): Lends aromatic warmth and a subtle spicy kick.
Garlic clove, minced (1): Pumps up the flavor in every drop of dressing.
Olive oil (1/4 cup): Adds richness and unites the dressing ingredients smoothly.
Salt and pepper to taste: Rounds out and heightens all the other flavors.

How to Make Crunchy Asian Sesame Chicken Salad

Step 1: Prep the Veggies and Chicken

Grab a large mixing bowl and add your shredded chicken, green and red cabbage, carrots, red bell pepper, green onions, and cilantro. If you haven’t prepped your veggies yet, now’s the time to shred, slice, and chop everything. The more finely you shred, the better the dressing coats every bite! Using cooked chicken saves time and makes this salad perfect for quick meals.

Step 2: Whisk the Sesame Dressing

In a separate small bowl or a mason jar, combine your rice vinegar, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, honey, lime juice, grated ginger, minced garlic, and olive oil. Whisk or shake vigorously until the dressing is creamy and well-emulsified. Taste, and add salt and pepper to suit your palate — it should be a balance of tangy, nutty, salty, and sweet.

Step 3: Dress and Toss the Salad

Pour the sesame dressing over the bowl of salad ingredients. Toss everything thoroughly so each piece is glossy and flavored. This is where the magic happens: the dressing melds with the crisp veggies and chicken, pulling the salad together into one harmonious Crunchy Asian Sesame Chicken Salad.

Step 4: Add Almonds, Wonton Strips, and Sesame Seeds

Wait until just before serving to sprinkle on the sliced almonds, crispy wonton strips, and sesame seeds. They add that signature crunch and contrast you look for in a perfect Crunchy Asian Sesame Chicken Salad. If you mix these in too soon, they’ll lose their irresistible snap — patience pays off!

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy Immediately

Transfer the finished salad to a serving platter or individual bowls, making sure each portion gets plenty of the colorful veggies and crunchy toppings. Enjoy it right away for the best mixture of hearty, juicy chicken and satisfying crisp texture that makes this salad unforgettable.

How to Serve Crunchy Asian Sesame Chicken Salad

Garnishes

Garnishing is what truly elevates this Crunchy Asian Sesame Chicken Salad! After tossing, a generous sprinkle of extra sesame seeds, fresh chopped cilantro, thinly sliced green onion tops, or even a handful of mandarin orange segments gives a bright, finishing touch. Keep the almonds and wonton strips on top for maximum crunch factor.

Side Dishes

This salad is easily a main course, but it pairs beautifully with light, simple sides. Try serving it with a bowl of miso soup, a side of chilled rice noodles, or fresh fruit like sliced mango for a sweet contrast. For heartier appetites, add spring rolls or dumplings to round out the meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For gatherings, serve your Crunchy Asian Sesame Chicken Salad in a large shallow platter so everyone can admire the colors. For meal-prep or take-along lunches, layer the veggies and chicken in jars, keeping dressing and crunchy toppings separate until just before eating. At parties, mini salad cups with forkfuls of the crunchy toppings on display are always a hit!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers, store the salad and the toppings separately in airtight containers. The chicken and veggies keep their texture for up to 2 days in the fridge. Add fresh almonds and wonton strips when serving to keep their crunch lively.

Freezing

While you can freeze cooked chicken on its own, this Crunchy Asian Sesame Chicken Salad doesn’t freeze well once dressed — the veggies lose their snap, and textures change. For best taste, always prepare fresh or from refrigerated components.

Reheating

This salad is designed to be enjoyed cold and crunchy! If you prefer, you can warm the chicken before assembling, but the veggie base and toppings are at their best straight from the fridge. For meal prep, just let chilled portions sit at room temp for a few minutes before eating.

FAQs

Can I use a different protein instead of chicken?

Absolutely! Crunchy Asian Sesame Chicken Salad is super flexible — swap in shrimp, tofu, or even thinly sliced steak for new flavors. Just make sure your protein is cooked, cooled, and cut for easy tossing.

Is this salad gluten-free?

You can make it gluten-free easily by using tamari in place of regular soy sauce, and double-checking your crispy wonton strips or omitting them if needed. All the other components are naturally gluten-free!

How far in advance can I make the dressing?

The sesame dressing keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Whisk or shake it well before using to recombine any separated ingredients.

Can I add extra vegetables or toppings?

Definitely! Add edamame, snap peas, chopped nuts like cashews, or even sliced avocado. Mandarins add lovely sweetness, and you can increase or swap any veggies to play with color and texture.

What’s the best way to shred chicken?

For easy shredding, use cooked chicken breasts while they’re still warm and pull apart with two forks or your hands. Rotisserie chicken shreds beautifully and saves time for this Crunchy Asian Sesame Chicken Salad.

Final Thoughts

This Crunchy Asian Sesame Chicken Salad combines everything you love about fresh, flavorful meals in one easy bowl. With its balance of crispiness, bright dressing, and bold colors, it’s sure to brighten your lunch or dinner table. Give it a try — I promise it’ll win hearts with every crunchy bite!

Crunchy Asian Sesame Chicken Salad Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

A delightful Crunchy Asian Sesame Chicken Salad that combines tender shredded chicken with a vibrant mix of green and red cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, and cilantro, topped with a crunchy medley of almonds, crispy wonton strips, and sesame seeds, all tossed in a flavorful sesame dressing.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Salad:

2 cups cooked and shredded chicken breast
4 cups shredded green cabbage
1 cup shredded red cabbage
1 cup shredded carrots
1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
2 green onions chopped
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 cup crispy wonton strips
2 tablespoons sesame seeds

For the dressing:

1/4 cup rice vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 garlic clove minced
1/4 cup olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

Main Salad: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, green and red cabbage, carrots, red bell pepper, green onions, and cilantro.
For the dressing: In a separate small bowl or jar, whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, lime juice, ginger, garlic, and olive oil until fully emulsified.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well to coat.
Just before serving, sprinkle with sliced almonds, crispy wonton strips, and sesame seeds for crunch.
Serve immediately for best texture.