Description
A lightning-fast, healthier alternative to takeout, this salad features shredded rotisserie chicken, crisp raw vegetables, and a tangy sesame-ginger dressing. It comes together in just 15 minutes and is perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (about 300g)
- 1/2 medium head green cabbage, shredded (about 200g)
- 1/4 medium head red cabbage, shredded (about 100g)
- 2 medium carrots, julienned or grated (about 150g)
- 1 English cucumber, diced (about 150g)
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (about 30g)
- 3 stalks green onions, thinly sliced (about 50g)
- 1/2 cup crunchy toppings (roasted peanuts, sesame seeds, or crispy wonton strips)
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated (about 15g)
- 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced (about 6g)
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1–2 teaspoons sriracha, to taste
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (neutral oil like canola or grapeseed)
Instructions
- Prep the vegetables: Shred the green and red cabbage thinly. Julienne the carrots. Dice the cucumber (scoop out seeds if using regular cucumber). Chop cilantro and slice green onions.
- Shred the chicken: Pull meat from rotisserie chicken bones and shred into bite-sized pieces using two forks. Add to the large bowl with the vegetables.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, grated ginger, minced garlic, honey, sriracha, and vegetable oil. Whisk vigorously or shake until emulsified and honey is dissolved. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Toss the salad: Drizzle about 3/4 of the dressing over the chicken and vegetables. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat. Add cilantro and green onions, then toss again. Add more dressing if desired.
- Add crunch: Sprinkle crunchy toppings (peanuts, sesame seeds, or wonton strips) over the top and toss lightly to distribute.
- Serve immediately: Serve right away while vegetables are crisp. Garnish with extra sesame seeds or green onions if desired.
Notes
For meal prep, store the dressing separately to keep the salad crisp. The salad keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days without dressing. Do not freeze this salad as vegetables will become mushy. Toast sesame seeds in a dry pan for enhanced flavor. Use fresh ginger and garlic for best results.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 15
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 25
Keywords: Asian chicken salad, sesame ginger dressing, rotisserie chicken salad, healthy lunch, meal prep, quick dinner, gluten-free option, vegetarian option