Description
A 15-minute weeknight meal featuring rotisserie chicken, crunchy vegetables, and a savory-sweet sesame dressing. This salad is light, satisfying, and requires zero cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 2 cups shredded red cabbage
- 1 cup shredded green cabbage
- 2 medium carrots, julienned or grated
- 1 large cucumber, sliced into half-moons
- 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons roasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 cup crushed peanuts or almonds
- 1/2 cup shelled edamame (optional)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon sriracha or chili flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Shred the rotisserie chicken, removing any skin or bones. Ensure the chicken is cold before adding to the salad.
- Shred the red and green cabbage into thin strips. Julienne the carrots and slice the cucumber into half-moons. Thinly slice the red onion and soak in ice water for 5 minutes to mellow the bite, then drain.
- Chop the cilantro and set all vegetables aside in a large mixing bowl.
- In a small jar or bowl, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, grated ginger, minced garlic, and sriracha. Whisk or shake vigorously until emulsified.
- Add the shredded chicken to the bowl with the vegetables. Pour the dressing over everything and toss thoroughly with tongs to coat evenly.
- Add the crushed peanuts and sesame seeds. Toss one more time.
- Let the salad sit in the fridge for 10-15 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving cold or at room temperature.
Notes
Use cold chicken to prevent wilting the vegetables. Toast nuts and seeds for better flavor. Store dressing separately if meal prepping to keep the salad crisp. Do not freeze this salad as the vegetables will become mushy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 25
Keywords: Asian chicken salad, sesame chicken, weeknight dinner, rotisserie chicken recipe, healthy salad, quick meals, gluten-free options, meal prep