Description
A fresh and vibrant Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad combining tender cooked chicken with crunchy mixed greens, shredded carrots, crisp red cabbage, sweet dried cranberries, and toasted nuts, all tossed in a flavorful sesame-ginger dressing. Perfect for a light yet satisfying meal packed with texture and balanced savory and sweet notes.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 4 cups mixed greens (such as spinach, arugula, and romaine)
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup red cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds or chopped peanuts
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large salad bowl, mix together the mixed greens, shredded carrots, thinly sliced red cabbage, dried cranberries, sliced almonds, and chopped green onions to create the base of the salad.
- Add Cooked Chicken: Add the shredded or diced cooked chicken to the salad bowl and gently toss all the ingredients together ensuring the chicken is evenly distributed throughout the salad.
- Prepare Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey (or maple syrup), grated fresh ginger, and minced garlic until the dressing is smooth and combined. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste preference.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients and toss carefully to coat everything evenly with the flavorful dressing.
- Serve: Serve the salad immediately for the freshest taste or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld before serving. Enjoy your delicious and healthy Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad!
Notes
- You can substitute chicken with turkey or tofu for a variation in protein.
- Use maple syrup instead of honey to keep it vegan-friendly.
- For extra crunch, toast the nuts lightly before adding.
- Allowing the salad to chill for 1-2 hours helps deepen the flavor but can be served right away.
- Adjust salt and pepper in the dressing based on dietary preferences.
