Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad Recipe
A vibrant and crunchy Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad combining grilled sesame chicken with a colorful mix of shredded green and red cabbage, fresh vegetables, and a zesty sesame ginger dressing. Topped with toasted nuts, sesame seeds, and optional crispy wonton strips, this salad offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors for a refreshing, nutritious meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- Grilled Sesame Chicken (prepared separately, seasoned with sesame flavors)
For the salad:
- 4 cups shredded green cabbage
- 2 cups shredded red cabbage
- 1/2 cup diced green onion
- 3/4 cup freshly diced cilantro
- 1 cup shredded carrots (bagged or matchstick-cut for crunch)
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly julienned
- 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
For the dressing:
- 1 batch Sesame Ginger Dressing (typically made with sesame oil, ginger, soy sauce, vinegar, and sweetener)
For serving:
- 1/3 cup toasted sliced almonds
- 1/3 cup roasted cashew halves
- Sesame seeds
- Extra cilantro
- Extra green onion
- A few jalapeno slices
- Optional: Crispy wonton strips
Instructions
- Prepare the grilled sesame chicken: Marinate chicken with sesame-based marinade, then grill until cooked through and slightly charred for enhanced flavor. Allow to rest and slice thinly or shred.
- Prepare the vegetables: Shred green and red cabbage finely. Dice green onions, julienne the red bell pepper, shred carrots into matchsticks, and dice the seeded jalapeno. Chop fresh cilantro.
- Make the dressing: Prepare a sesame ginger dressing by whisking together sesame oil, freshly grated ginger, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sweetener such as honey or sugar, and optionally some garlic or chili flakes for extra kick.
- Assemble the salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine all shredded and chopped vegetables with the sliced grilled sesame chicken. Pour the sesame ginger dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to coat evenly.
- Add toppings: Sprinkle toasted sliced almonds, roasted cashew halves, and sesame seeds on top of the salad. Garnish with extra cilantro, green onion, and a few jalapeno slices to taste.
- Optional crispy topping: For added crunch, sprinkle crispy wonton strips on the salad just before serving.
- Serve: Transfer the salad to serving plates or a large bowl and enjoy immediately for the best freshness and texture.
Notes
- Grilling the chicken adds smoky flavor but you can substitute with pan-seared or baked chicken if preferred.
- For extra heat, leave the jalapeno seeds in.
- The salad can be prepped in advance but add crispy toppings last to maintain crunch.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce in the dressing to reduce salt content.
- Optionally add shredded snow peas or sliced cucumbers for more freshness.
