This Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad is fresh, crunchy, colorful, and packed with delicious sweet-and-savory flavors. Tender chicken, crisp cabbage, juicy mandarin oranges, dried cranberries, crunchy almonds, and green onions come together with a tangy homemade sesame dressing.
It’s an easy, satisfying meal that’s perfect for lunch, light dinners, meal prep, or a refreshing side dish. Every bite combines juicy chicken, sweet cranberries, crunchy vegetables, and a flavorful Asian-inspired dressing!
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Course: Lunch, Salad, Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
- Diet: Dairy-Free
Ingredients
Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad – 1 Fresh & Flavorful Bowl
For the Salad
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or sliced
- 3 cups green cabbage, thinly shredded
- 2 cups red cabbage, thinly shredded
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup mandarin orange segments, drained
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
For the Asian Sesame Dressing
- ¼ cup olive oil or neutral vegetable oil
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Grilled chicken breast slices on wood
If using raw chicken, season 2 chicken breasts with a little salt and black pepper. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat.
Cook the chicken for approximately 6–8 minutes per side, depending on thickness, until the center reaches 165°F (74°C). Let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing or shredding.
You can also use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken to save time.
Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables
Chicken “Egg Roll” Noodle Bowl with Cabbage, Carrots, and Bean Sprouts | Hello Chef!
Wash and dry the vegetables thoroughly. Thinly slice the green and red cabbage, shred the carrots, chop the cilantro, and slice the green onions.
Place everything in a large salad bowl.
Step 3: Add the Cranberries and Other Toppings
Vibrant Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing – cookrisp
Add the dried cranberries, mandarin orange segments, sliced almonds, and sesame seeds to the vegetables.
Gently toss to distribute the ingredients evenly.
Step 4: Make the Asian Sesame Dressing
Sesame Dressing Recipe – Cookie and Kate
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey or maple syrup, sesame oil, lime juice, grated ginger, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, and black pepper.
Whisk until the dressing is smooth and well combined. Taste and adjust the sweetness or acidity as desired.
Step 5: Add the Chicken
How to Make Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad in Just 20 Minutes onehourrecipes
Add the sliced or shredded chicken to the salad bowl. Gently toss everything together, making sure the chicken is evenly distributed among the vegetables and fruit.
Step 6: Dress the Salad
Fresh and Flavorful Asian Chicken Salad – My Homemade Recipe
Pour the dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss gently until all the ingredients are lightly coated.
For the best crunch, add the almonds and sesame seeds at the end if preparing the salad ahead of time.
Step 7: Garnish and Serve
Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad – 1 Fresh & Flavorful Bowl
Finish with extra sliced green onions, cilantro, almonds, and sesame seeds. Serve immediately and enjoy this fresh, colorful, sweet-and-savory salad!
Tips for the Best Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad
- Use chilled chicken: Let freshly cooked chicken cool before adding it to the salad.
- Slice cabbage thinly: Thin slices make the salad easier to eat and help the dressing coat everything.
- Toast the almonds: Lightly toast them in a dry skillet for 2–3 minutes to bring out their nutty flavor.
- Add dressing before serving: This keeps the cabbage crunchy.
- Balance the flavors: Add extra lime juice for freshness or a little more honey for sweetness.
- Use fresh ingredients: Fresh cilantro, ginger, and garlic make the dressing especially flavorful.
Easy Recipe Variations
Chinese-Inspired Chicken Salad with Citrus and Vegetables – Tasty Gusto
Crunchy Asian Chicken Salad – Women of Today
10
1. Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad with Cashews
Replace sliced almonds with roasted cashews for a richer, buttery crunch.
2. Spicy Asian Chicken Salad
Add ½ teaspoon chili flakes or a little sriracha to the dressing for a spicy kick.
3. Crunchy Wonton Chicken Salad
Top the salad with crispy wonton strips just before serving.
4. Asian Chicken Salad with Edamame
Add ½ cup cooked and shelled edamame for extra texture and plant-based protein.
5. Pineapple Cranberry Chicken Salad
Replace mandarin oranges with fresh pineapple chunks for a tropical twist.
What to Serve with Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad
Chinatown Chicken Salad Recipe
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9
This salad is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it with:
- Vegetable spring rolls
- Steamed jasmine rice
- Vegetable fried rice
- Asian-style noodle bowls
- Grilled vegetables
- Crispy wonton strips
- Homemade garlic bread
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerator: Store the undressed salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Dressing: Keep the dressing in a separate sealed jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Shake well before using.
- Cooked chicken: Store separately in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
- Meal Prep: Divide the cabbage, carrots, chicken, cranberries, and oranges into individual containers. Keep dressing and crunchy toppings separate until serving.
Important: Once dressed, the salad is best enjoyed immediately because the cabbage gradually softens.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use rotisserie chicken for this recipe?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a convenient option. Remove the skin, shred the meat, and add it directly to the salad.
2. Can I make Asian chicken cranberry salad ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare the vegetables, chicken, and dressing separately. Store them in the refrigerator and combine everything just before serving.
3. Can I use fresh cranberries instead of dried cranberries?
Dried cranberries are recommended because they provide concentrated sweetness. Fresh cranberries are much more tart, so if using them, chop them finely and adjust the dressing sweetness.
4. Is this Asian chicken salad dairy-free?
Yes! The ingredients in this recipe are naturally dairy-free. Check the labels on packaged ingredients such as soy sauce and dried cranberries.
5. What can I use instead of soy sauce?
Use tamari for a gluten-free option, or coconut aminos for a milder, slightly sweeter flavor.
6. Can I make this salad without chicken?
Yes! Replace chicken with edamame, crispy tofu, or chickpeas for a delicious vegetarian version.
Printable Recipe Card
Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad
Delicious and Nutritious Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad – Recipes Mentor
A crunchy, colorful salad with tender chicken, sweet cranberries, mandarin oranges, almonds, and homemade sesame dressing.
Prep
20 min
Cook
15 min
Servings
4
Ingredients
Salad
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, sliced or shredded
- 3 cups shredded green cabbage
- 2 cups shredded red cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup mandarin oranges
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- 3 green onions
- ½ cup fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
Dressing
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 clove minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook chicken until its internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Rest and slice or shred.
- Add green cabbage, red cabbage, carrots, and green onions to a large bowl.
- Add mandarin oranges, cranberries, almonds, cilantro, and sesame seeds.
- Whisk all dressing ingredients together in a small bowl.
- Add cooked chicken to the salad.
- Pour dressing over the salad just before serving.
- Toss gently, garnish with extra almonds and sesame seeds, and enjoy!
Lunch • Main Course • Asian-Inspired
