Description
This vibrant Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad combines crunchy coleslaw mix, tender rotisserie chicken, toasted nuts, tart dried cranberries, and mandarin oranges, all tossed in a flavorful homemade Asian-inspired dressing. Perfect for a quick and refreshing meal or a crowd-pleasing side dish, this salad balances textures and tastes with a tangy, sweet, and savory dressing made from balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil.
Ingredients
Salad
- 2 small bags of coleslaw mix (about 12 cups)
- 4 cups rotisserie chicken (finely chopped)
- 1 ½ cups toasted sliced almonds or cashews
- 1 ½ cups dried cranberries (preferably Orange Cranberries)
- ¾ cup red onion (finely diced)
- 1 cup sesame sticks (optional)
- 1 ½ cups chopped cilantro
- 1-2 small cans mandarin oranges (drained, optional)
- ¼ cup black sesame seeds or regular sesame seeds
Dressing
- 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar (regular or white)
- 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
- 3 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Prepare the Salad Base: In a large bowl, layer the coleslaw mix with finely chopped rotisserie chicken, toasted almonds or cashews, dried cranberries, diced red onion, sesame seeds, sesame sticks (if using), and chopped cilantro. Add the drained mandarin oranges if you choose to include them.
- Make the Dressing: Combine the extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, low-sodium soy sauce, chopped garlic, honey or brown sugar, minced ginger, toasted sesame oil, and 3 tablespoons of water in a blender. Blend the mixture until it achieves a smooth consistency.
- Toss the Salad: Lightly pour the blended dressing over the prepared salad mixture, adjusting the amount based on how moist you prefer the salad. Gently toss the salad to evenly distribute the dressing. Serve immediately. Note that you might have some dressing left over, which can be refrigerated for later use.
Notes
- Toasted almonds can be substituted with cashews or a mix of both for different textures and flavors.
- Sesame sticks add a crunchy element but are optional and can be omitted for a lighter salad.
- Dried cranberries add sweetness and tartness; orange-flavored cranberries used here provide a unique citrus twist.
- You can use either regular or white balsamic vinegar depending on your taste preference.
- The dressing can be adjusted by adding more or less water to reach desired consistency.
- Leftover dressing can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
- This salad is best served fresh to maintain the crunch of the coleslaw and nuts.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
