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Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad Recipe

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4.4 from 102 reviews

Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish that combines tender rotisserie chicken, crunchy toasted almonds, and sweet dried cranberries with a zesty homemade dressing. This colorful salad features fresh coleslaw mix, red onion, and chopped cilantro, finished with optional sesame sticks for an extra crunch. Perfect for quick lunches, family gatherings, or as a healthy appetizer, this salad is easy to prepare in just 15 minutes, packed with nutrients and bold Asian-inspired flavors.

Ingredients

Salad Ingredients

  • 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
  • ¾ cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1 cup sesame sticks (optional)
  • 1 ½ cups chopped cilantro

Dressing Ingredients

  • 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½ cup balsamic vinegar
  • 4 Tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
  • 3-4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 4 Tbsp. honey or brown sugar
  • 4 Tbsp. minced ginger
  • 2 tsp. toasted sesame oil

Instructions

  1. Prepare the salad base: In a large mixing bowl, layer the coleslaw mix with finely chopped rotisserie chicken, toasted almonds or cashews, dried cranberries, diced red onion, optional sesame sticks, and chopped cilantro. For extra flavor and color, you can also add mandarin oranges if desired.
  2. Make the dressing: In a blender, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, low-sodium soy sauce, chopped garlic, honey or brown sugar, minced ginger, and toasted sesame oil. Blend until the mixture is smooth and well combined. If the dressing is too thick, thin it out with a little water to your desired consistency.
  3. Toss salad with dressing: Lightly pour the blended dressing over the salad mixture. Gently toss everything together to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated. Serve immediately for the freshest taste, or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

  • This salad can be customized by adding mandarin oranges for a citrusy twist.
  • To make it vegetarian, substitute the rotisserie chicken with baked tofu or chickpeas.
  • Use low-sodium soy sauce to reduce the salt content.
  • For extra crunch, sprinkle with additional toasted nuts or sesame seeds when serving.
  • The salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours.