If you’ve been craving a salad that bursts with vibrant flavors and textures, this Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad Recipe is the answer you’ve been looking for. It’s a lively medley of crisp coleslaw mix, tender rotisserie chicken, sweet dried cranberries, and zesty mandarin oranges, all tossed in a rich, homemade dressing that balances savory soy with a hint of ginger and garlic. This dish is not only incredibly colorful and refreshing but also excitingly complex in taste — perfect for a quick lunch or a crowd-pleasing side at your next gathering.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These simple yet carefully chosen ingredients each play a crucial role in building the incredible flavor, texture, and color profile of this salad. From crunchy nuts to juicy fruits and vibrant herbs, every element brings something special to the party.
- 12 cups coleslaw mix: Provides a crisp, fresh base loaded with shredded cabbage and carrots for a perfect crunch.
- 4 cups rotisserie chicken, finely chopped: Adds tender, savory protein that soaks up the dressing beautifully.
- 1 ½ cups toasted sliced almonds (or cashews): Brings irresistible nuttiness and extra crunch.
- 1 ½ cups dried cranberries: Offers a burst of sweet and tart flavor that contrasts wonderfully with the savory notes.
- ¾ cup red onion, finely diced: Adds a zesty kick and bright color.
- 1 cup sesame sticks (optional): Contributes an addictive, salty crunch for texture lovers.
- 1 ½ cups chopped cilantro: Gives the salad a fresh, herbal lift that ties everything together.
- 1-2 small cans mandarin oranges, drained: Adds juicy, citrus sweetness that bursts in every bite.
- ¼ cup black sesame seeds (or regular sesame seeds): Adds a subtle nuttiness and appealing speckled appearance.
- 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil: Creates a rich, smooth base for the dressing.
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar: Brings a deep tangy sweetness that complements the fruit and chicken.
- 4 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce: Infuses the salad with umami depth and saltiness.
- 3-4 cloves garlic, chopped: Provides bold aromatic flavor.
- 4 tablespoons honey (or brown sugar): Adds a gentle sweetness that balances the vinegar and soy sauce.
- 4 tablespoons minced ginger: Introduces a warm spicy note that elevates the Asian flair.
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil: Finishes the dressing with a smoky, fragrant touch.
How to Make Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad Recipe
Step 1: Combine the Base Ingredients
Start by layering your main salad components in a large bowl. Toss together the coleslaw mix, finely chopped rotisserie chicken, toasted almonds or cashews, dried cranberries, diced red onion, optional sesame sticks, chopped cilantro, and black sesame seeds. This colorful mixture sets the stage for the delicious flavors to come.
Step 2: Fold in the Mandarin Oranges
Gently fold the drained mandarin oranges into the salad. You want to distribute the juicy citrus pieces evenly without breaking them apart so that each bite gets a refreshing pop of sweetness.
Step 3: Blend the Dressing
In a blender, combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, chopped garlic, honey (or brown sugar), minced ginger, and toasted sesame oil. Blend until smooth and creamy, adding about 3 tablespoons of water to create a pourable consistency that will coat the salad perfectly.
Step 4: Dress and Toss
Drizzle the dressing evenly over the salad and toss gently to ensure every ingredient is lightly coated. Be delicate to maintain the crunchy texture of the coleslaw and nuts while incorporating all the beautiful flavors.
Step 5: Chill or Serve Immediately
You can serve the Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad Recipe right away for instant freshness or chill it for a short time to let the flavors meld and deepen. Either way, this salad is sure to impress.
How to Serve Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad Recipe
Garnishes
Sprinkle additional toasted sliced almonds or cashews on top just before serving for an extra crunch. A few fresh cilantro leaves or a light dusting of black sesame seeds can also enhance both presentation and flavor.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs beautifully with simple sides like steamed jasmine rice or a light miso soup. If you want to keep things casual, crunchy spring rolls or steamed edamame make excellent companions to round out the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun and eye-catching presentation, serve the salad in individual lettuce cups or on a bed of butter lettuce leaves. You can also toss smaller portions into mini glass jars or mason jars for picnic-friendly servings that look as great as they taste.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’s best enjoyed within 2 days to maintain the freshness of the lettuce and the crispness of the nuts.
Freezing
This salad is not ideal for freezing due to the coleslaw mix and mandarin oranges, which can become soggy. For best results, prepare fresh when possible.
Reheating
Since this is a cold salad meant to be enjoyed fresh, reheating is not recommended. If you want warm chicken to accompany it, consider heating the rotisserie chicken separately and serving it alongside the chilled salad.
FAQs
Can I use fresh chicken instead of rotisserie chicken?
Absolutely! Grilled or roasted chicken breasts, finely chopped, work wonderfully in this salad. Just be sure to season the chicken well or keep it lightly salted since the dressing adds additional flavor.
What can I substitute for the coleslaw mix?
If you don’t have coleslaw mix on hand, shredded green and purple cabbage with grated carrots will do the trick. The mix adds color and crunch, so try to maintain a similar ratio of textures.
Is there a nut-free option?
Yes! Simply omit the toasted almonds or cashews and the sesame sticks. You can add extra seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds for crunch without using nuts.
Can I make the dressing ahead of time?
The dressing can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator in a sealed container. Just give it a gentle shake or stir before drizzling over the salad.
How spicy is this salad?
This salad carries a mild warmth from the ginger and garlic but is not spicy in the traditional sense. If you want to add a kick, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or a dash of chili oil can easily be incorporated.
Final Thoughts
This Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad Recipe has quickly become one of my absolute favorites to whip up for family and friends. Its vibrant combination of sweet, savory, crunch, and freshness makes every bite a delightful experience. I truly hope you enjoy making it as much as I enjoy sharing it!
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Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
- Diet: Low Salt
Description
This vibrant Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad combines a crunchy coleslaw base with tender rotisserie chicken, toasted nuts, dried cranberries, and refreshing mandarin oranges. Tossed with a flavorful, homemade Asian-inspired dressing, this salad is both satisfying and light, perfect for a quick lunch or a delightful dinner side dish.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 12 cups coleslaw mix (2 small bags)
- 4 cups rotisserie chicken, finely chopped
- 1 ½ cups toasted sliced almonds (or cashews)
- 1 ½ cups dried cranberries
- ¾ cup red onion, finely diced
- 1 cup sesame sticks (optional)
- 1 ½ cups chopped cilantro
- 1–2 small cans mandarin oranges, drained
- ¼ cup black sesame seeds (or regular sesame seeds)
Dressing Ingredients
- 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- 4 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 3–4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 4 tablespoons honey (or brown sugar)
- 4 tablespoons minced ginger
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- About 3 tablespoons water (to thin dressing)
Instructions
- Assemble Salad Base: In a large bowl, layer the coleslaw mix, finely chopped rotisserie chicken, toasted almonds or cashews, dried cranberries, diced red onion, optional sesame sticks, chopped cilantro, and sesame seeds evenly to create the hearty salad foundation.
- Add Mandarins: Gently fold in the drained mandarin oranges, taking care not to crush them, distributing their sweet citrus flavor throughout the salad.
- Prepare Dressing: In a blender, combine the extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, low-sodium soy sauce, chopped garlic, honey or brown sugar, minced ginger, and toasted sesame oil. Blend on high speed until smooth. Add about 3 tablespoons of water gradually to reach a pourable consistency perfect for dressing the salad.
- Toss Salad: Drizzle the blended dressing evenly over the salad ingredients. Toss gently but thoroughly to ensure every component is coated with the flavorful dressing.
- Serve or Chill: Serve the salad immediately to enjoy fresh flavors, or chill it briefly in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to meld for enhanced taste before serving.
Notes
- Using rotisserie chicken saves time and adds great flavor; you can substitute with cooked shredded chicken breast if preferred.
- To toast nuts, spread sliced almonds or cashews on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes until golden.
- Mandarin oranges add a bright sweetness; ensure they are well drained to avoid sogginess.
- For a nut-free version, omit almonds or cashews and sesame sticks.
- This salad is best consumed within 24 hours for optimal freshness.
