Description
This Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad is a vibrant, crowd-pleasing dish layered with coleslaw mix, tender rotisserie chicken, sweet cranberries, toasted almonds, and a tangy homemade sesame dressing. Perfect for potlucks, meal prep, or a refreshing dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 small bags of coleslaw mix (about 12 cups)
- 4 cups rotisserie chicken, finely chopped
- 1 ½ cups toasted sliced almonds or cashews
- 1 ½ cup dried cranberries (orange-flavored if available)
- ¾ cup red onion, finely diced
- 1 cup sesame sticks (optional)
- 1 ½ cups chopped cilantro
- 1–2 small cans mandarin oranges, drained (optional)
- ¼ cup black sesame seeds or regular sesame seeds
- Dressing:
- 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar (regular or white)
- 4 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
- 3–4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 4 Tbsp honey or brown sugar
- 4 Tbsp minced ginger
- 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 3 Tbsp water
Instructions
1. Layer the cabbage in a large bowl with chicken, almonds (or cashews), cranberries, red onion, sesame seeds, sesame sticks (optional), and chopped cilantro. Add mandarin oranges if using.
2. In a blender, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, honey, ginger, sesame oil, and water. Blend until smooth.
3. Lightly pour the dressing over the salad mixture based on desired moisture level. Gently toss to combine.
4. Serve immediately, or refrigerate and toss again before serving.
Notes
Toast almonds by microwaving for 1 minute on a paper towel, turning once, or broil under low heat for 2–3 minutes.
You can make your own cabbage mix with green and purple cabbage and a bit of shredded carrots.
Mandarin oranges and sesame sticks are optional but add great texture and flavor.
Dressing can be made in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Tossing
- Cuisine: Chinese
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 35mg