Description
Savory Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad combines sweet and tangy flavors from crisp vegetables and tender chicken. Fresh ingredients and zesty dressing create a light, refreshing meal perfect for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups rotisserie chicken, finely chopped
- 12 cups coleslaw mix (from 2 small bags)
- 1.5 cups dried cranberries
- 1.5 cups chopped fresh cilantro
- 1.5 cups toasted sliced almonds or cashews
- 0.75 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1 cup sesame sticks (optional)
- 0.5 small cans mandarin oranges, drained (optional)
- 0.25 cup black or regular sesame seeds
- 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 0.5 cup balsamic vinegar (regular or white)
- 4 tbsps low-sodium soy sauce
- 4 tbsps honey or brown sugar
- 4 tbsps minced ginger
- 0.75 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 tsps toasted sesame oil
Instructions
- Compose Salad Base: Layer coleslaw mix in a large mixing bowl, creating a crisp foundational canvas for the ensemble of ingredients.
- Layer Proteins and Textures: Distribute shredded chicken, toasted almonds, dried cranberries, diced red onion, sesame sticks, and cilantro across the coleslaw, ensuring an intricate balance of flavors and textures.
- Craft Dressing: Blend extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, minced garlic, honey, grated ginger, toasted sesame oil, and water until achieving a smooth, glossy emulsion.
- Integrate and Garnish: Drizzle dressing over the salad, gently tossing to coat ingredients evenly, then sprinkle sesame seeds for a final aromatic and visual flourish.
- Serve Immediately: Present the salad at the peak of its crisp, vibrant character, allowing the harmonious medley of flavors to captivate the palate.
Notes
- Optimize Chicken Quality: Select freshly cooked or rotisserie chicken for maximum tenderness and flavor absorption, shredding meat into uniform, bite-sized pieces.
- Customize Nut Crunch: Toast nuts separately to enhance their nutty flavor and prevent soggy texture; choose between almonds or cashews based on personal preference or dietary restrictions.
- Balance Dressing Consistency: Adjust liquid ratio by adding water gradually during blending to achieve perfect emulsion; taste and modify sweetness with honey or vinegar for personalized flavor profile.
- Maintain Salad Freshness: Prepare dressing and chop ingredients separately, combining just before serving to preserve crisp textures and prevent wilting of coleslaw mix and herbs.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 11
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg