Description
A vibrant and flavorful Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad combining crunchy coleslaw mix, tender rotisserie chicken, toasted nuts, and sweet dried cranberries with a tangy homemade sesame-ginger dressing. Perfect as a refreshing, quick-to-prepare meal or side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
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 (optional, for thinning)
Instructions
- Layer the salad ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the coleslaw mix, finely chopped rotisserie chicken, toasted almonds or cashews, dried cranberries, finely diced red onion, sesame sticks if using, chopped cilantro, and black or regular sesame seeds. Ensure ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Add mandarin oranges: Gently fold the drained mandarin oranges into the layered salad mixture, taking care to keep fruit pieces whole and avoid crushing.
- Prepare the dressing: In a blender, combine extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, low-sodium soy sauce, chopped garlic, honey or brown sugar, minced ginger, and toasted sesame oil. Blend until smooth. Add about 3 tablespoons of water as needed to reach a pourable consistency.
- Toss the salad with dressing: Drizzle the prepared dressing evenly over the salad ingredients. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat all components with the dressing.
- Serve or chill: Serve the salad immediately for fresh crispness or chill it briefly to enhance flavors before serving.
Notes
- To toast almonds or cashews, heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until fragrant and lightly golden.
- Sesame sticks add a crunchy texture but are optional if unavailable.
- The dressing can be adjusted in sweetness and saltiness by varying honey and soy sauce to taste.
- This salad keeps well for up to 1 day refrigerated but is best fresh.
- Substitute mandarin oranges with canned pineapple tidbits for a different twist.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to reduce sodium content.
