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Crunchy Asian Chinese Chicken Salad

When you're looking for a meal that perfectly balances fresh and crunchy, this Asian Chinese Chicken Salad hits all the right notes. It's a refreshing combination of tender chicken, crisp lettuce, and addictive crunchy noodles, enhanced by a sweet and tangy dressing that ties everything together.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese
Calories: 485
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Salad Ingredients
  • 1/2 pound cooked white chicken meat
  • 6 cups shredded head lettuce or romaine lettuce
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped toasted almonds
  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
  • 1 cup crispy chow mein noodles Add just before serving for extra crunch
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ajinomoto (MSG) optional
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 cup peanut oil
  • 3 tablespoons rice vinegar

Equipment

  • Large salad bowl
  • Dry Skillet
  • Small bowl

Method
 

  1. In a large salad bowl, combine 6 cups of shredded lettuce, 1/2 pound of cooked white chicken meat, and 1/4 cup of finely chopped green onions.
  2. Add 2 tablespoons of finely chopped toasted almonds and 2 tablespoons of toasted sesame seeds. If they aren't toasted yet, toast them briefly in a dry skillet over medium heat to release their nutty flavor.
  3. Just before serving, gently fold in 1 cup of crispy chow mein noodles to keep them crunchy.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of sugar, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of ajinomoto (if using), 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, 1/4 cup of peanut oil, and 3 tablespoons of rice vinegar until well combined.
  5. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients without crushing the crunchy components.
  6. Serve immediately to enjoy the optimal texture and flavor of the salad.

Notes

For the best crunch, add the crispy chow mein noodles to the salad just before serving. You can easily substitute grilled shrimp or tofu for the chicken to change up the protein. Toasting the almonds and sesame seeds right before adding them amps up the nutty flavor. This salad is also great for meal prep; just store the dressing and noodles separately and combine when ready to eat.