Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad Recipe
A vibrant and flavorful Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad combining tender rotisserie chicken, crunchy coleslaw mix, toasted nuts, and sweet dried cranberries, all tossed in a zesty homemade sesame-ginger dressing. This refreshing salad is perfect for a light lunch or a healthy dinner option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian
- Diet: Low Salt
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 4 cups coleslaw mix
- 2 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup toasted sliced almonds or cashews
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries (preferably Orange Cranberries)
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup sesame sticks (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/2 cup mandarin oranges (optional)
- 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds (or regular sesame seeds)
Dressing Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (regular or white)
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil (more to taste)
- 2 to 4 tablespoons water (to thin the dressing)
Instructions
- Layer the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the coleslaw mix, shredded rotisserie chicken, toasted almonds or cashews, dried cranberries, thinly sliced red onion, sesame seeds, optional sesame sticks, chopped cilantro, and optional mandarin oranges. Toss lightly to mix all ingredients evenly.
- Make the Dressing: In a blender, add the extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, low-sodium soy sauce, minced garlic, honey or brown sugar, minced fresh ginger, and toasted sesame oil. Add 2 tablespoons of water to help blend. Process until the mixture is smooth; add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time, to reach your desired consistency.
- Toss and Serve: Just before serving, lightly pour the dressing over the salad mixture according to your preference for moisture. Gently toss the salad to ensure everything is coated with the dressing. Serve immediately. You may have some leftover dressing for another use.
Notes
- You can substitute any nuts for the almonds or cashews based on preference or allergies.
- Mandarin oranges add a citrusy brightness, but they are optional.
- Sesame sticks add crunch and a toasted sesame flavor, but they can be left out if unavailable.
- Adjust sweetness of dressing by increasing or decreasing honey or brown sugar.
- This salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 1 day, keeping dressing separate until serving.
Keywords: Asian chicken salad, cranberry salad, rotisserie chicken salad, sesame ginger dressing, healthy chicken salad, coleslaw mix salad
