Crunchy Asian Chicken Salad

Closeup of a bowl of Chinese chicken salad with crunchy noodles.

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Recreate your favorite Applebee's-style Oriental Chicken Salad at home. Packed with crisp veggies, tender chicken, crunchy noodles and a savory homemade dressing. Perfect for busy weeknights.

Prep Time15

Cook Time0

Total Time15

Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Dish Salad, Weeknight Dinner

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Calories: 590kcal

Author: Lori

Equipment

Ingredients

Salad

1 head lettuce (Romaine, iceberg or Napa cabbage)
3-4 cooked chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces (or use leftover or rotisserie chicken)
1 cup shredded carrots
3 green onions finely sliced

Dressing

1-2 tablespoons sugar
1/3 cup vinegar (white, apple cider or rice wine vinegar)
1 cup oil (vegetable, sunflower or olive)
salt to taste
black pepper to taste

Toppings

5 ounce can Chow Mein noodles
4 ounces sliced almonds
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
1 tablespoon poppy seeds

Instructions

For the Salad

Tear the lettuce into bite-sized pieces and add to a large bowl.
1 head lettuce (Romaine, iceberg or Napa cabbage)
Slice the chicken and green onions and add to the greens, then add the carrots.
3-4 cooked chicken breasts, 3 green onions, 1 cup shredded carrots
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve.

For the Dressing

Mix the dressing ingredients until blended and store in the refrigerator.
1-2 tablespoons sugar, salt, black pepper, 1/3 cup vinegar, 1 cup oil

Before Serving

Add noodles, seeds and almonds, right before serving.
5 ounce can Chow Mein noodles, 4 ounces sliced almonds, 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, 1 tablespoon poppy seeds

Notes

Prep time doesn't include the time it takes to cook the chicken. This recipe is great if you have leftover chicken or a rotisserie chicken.
Ingredient Substitutions and Variations:
- Meat: try cooked shrimp or thinly-sliced steak.
- Lettuce: try fresh spinach, Napa cabbage or a bagged salad mix.
- Veggies: add sliced or chopped veggies like red bell peppers or cucumbers for added crunch.
- Fruit: add drained mandarin oranges or pineapple tidbits just before serving.
- Dressing options: add a splash of soy sauce, sesame oil or sriracha sauce to the dressing.
- Noodles: crispy wonton strips or crushed uncooked ramen noodles can be substituted for the chow mein noodles. If using the ramen, break up the noodles and toast them for the best flavor.
- Toppers: use cashews and sunflower seeds.
Wait to add the salad toppers and dressing until right before serving.
This recipe makes quite a bit of dressing and you may not use it all. Add as much as you like, then store the remaining dressing in the refrigerator for up to a week.
This salad is best eaten immediately. If you anticipate leftovers, only assemble what you need and store the remaining items separately in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.
Nutritional information will vary based on how much salad dressing you use.

Nutrition