Real talk — most salads are an afterthought. A handful of greens, some sad dressing, and a quiet wish that you'd ordered the pasta. But this Asian sesame chicken salad? It's the one that changes everything. It's crunchy, savory, a little sweet, and absolutely packed with flavor. Your weeknight just got better, and honestly, so did your meal prep game.
Whether you're making it for a quick lunch, a dinner that impresses without the stress, or a dish to bring to literally any gathering — this recipe delivers every single time.
Key Takeaways 🥗
- Asian sesame chicken salad comes together in about 30 minutes with simple, accessible ingredients.
- The homemade sesame ginger dressing is the real star — and it takes less than 5 minutes to whisk together.
- Rotisserie chicken is a totally valid shortcut. No judgment here.
- This salad stores well, making it a meal prep magic superstar.
- Customize toppings and veggies to suit your taste or what's already in your fridge.
Table of Contents
HideWhat You'll Need: Ingredients for Asian Sesame Chicken Salad
The beauty of this salad is that it's flexible. Here's the full lineup — but spoiler alert, you probably have most of this already.
For the Salad Base
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cooked chicken breast | 2 cups, sliced | Rotisserie works great |
| Shredded green cabbage | 2 cups | Or a pre-shredded coleslaw mix |
| Shredded purple cabbage | 1 cup | For color and crunch |
| Julienned carrots | ½ cup | Matchstick or shredded |
| Edamame (shelled) | ½ cup | Thawed from frozen |
| Mandarin orange segments | ½ cup | Canned or fresh |
| Sliced green onions | ¼ cup | Don't skip these |
| Crispy wonton strips | ½ cup | The crunch you didn't know you needed |
| Toasted sesame seeds | 2 tbsp | White or black, or both |
For the Sesame Ginger Dressing
- 3 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1½ tbsp sesame oil (toasted)
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp fresh grated ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tsp sriracha (optional, but recommended)
- 2 tbsp neutral oil (like avocado or canola)
💡 Pro tip: Double the dressing. Future you will thank you — it keeps in the fridge for up to a week and works on grain bowls, noodles, and just about everything else.
🥗 Want a full week of healthy meals like this one?
If you're looking for a simple way to eat like this every day without the planning headache, I've got a recommendation that's worth checking out.
See My Top Recommendation →How to Make Asian Sesame Chicken Salad (Step by Step)
This is genuinely low effort, high reward cooking. Here's how it all comes together.
Step 1: Make the Dressing First
Whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, ginger, garlic, and sriracha in a small bowl or jar. Drizzle in the neutral oil while whisking until emulsified. Taste it. Adjust. Want more tang? Add a splash of vinegar. More heat? Another hit of sriracha. This is your dressing — own it.
Step 2: Prep Your Chicken
If you're cooking chicken fresh, season two boneless breasts with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of sesame oil. Cook in a skillet over medium-high heat for 6–7 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Let it rest, then slice thinly against the grain.
Fair warning: Using rotisserie chicken is not cheating. It's called being smart with your time.
Step 3: Build the Salad
In a large bowl, combine the green and purple cabbage, carrots, edamame, and green onions. Toss with about half the dressing and let it sit for 5 minutes — this softens the cabbage just slightly and lets the flavors meld.
Step 4: Add the Good Stuff
Layer the sliced chicken on top, then scatter over the mandarin oranges, crispy wonton strips, and sesame seeds. Drizzle with the remaining dressing right before serving.
Step 5: Toss and Serve
Give it a gentle toss, plate it up, and try not to eat it straight from the bowl. (No judgment if you do.)
Tips, Swaps & Make-Ahead Magic 🙌
Want to meal prep this? Store the dressing separately and keep the wonton strips in a zip-lock bag. Assemble right before eating so everything stays crispy.
Protein swaps: Shrimp, tofu, or even leftover steak work beautifully here.
Veggie additions: Snap peas, cucumber, sliced bell pepper, or avocado all play well with the sesame flavors.
Make it heartier: Toss in some cooked soba noodles or brown rice to bulk it up.
Crowd-pleaser alert 🎉 — this salad is a guaranteed hit at potlucks, BBQs, and meal train drop-offs. Do yourself a favor and make a double batch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can this be made ahead of time?
Yes! Prep all the components and store separately. The dressed salad (without crunchy toppings) keeps for up to 2 days in the fridge.
Is this salad gluten-free?
Swap soy sauce for tamari and skip the wonton strips (or use gluten-free crackers). Done.
What's the best way to toast sesame seeds?
Toss them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2–3 minutes, stirring constantly. They go from perfect to burned fast — trust me on this one, stay close.
Conclusion: Save This One — You'll Make It on Repeat
This Asian sesame chicken salad is the kind of recipe that earns a permanent spot in your rotation. It's fast, fresh, endlessly customizable, and genuinely delicious — not in a “healthy food can be good too” way, but in a “please pass the bowl again” way. You've got this. Make the dressing ahead, grab a rotisserie chicken, and get ready to feel like the most capable person in your kitchen. Pin-worthy for a reason. 📌
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