Sesame Chicken Salad
A vibrant and crunchy salad featuring tender chicken, crisp romaine, sweet mandarin oranges, and toasted sesame seeds, all tossed in a flavorful sesame oil dressing. Perfect for light lunches or potlucks, this dish combines fresh textures with savory Asian-inspired flavors that appeal to a variety of palates.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prepare Sesame Oil Dressing and set aside.
- In a serving bowl, toss the cooked chicken, sliced green onions, diced celery, and shredded romaine lettuce.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
- Top the salad with chow mein noodles, lightly toasted sesame seed, and drained mandarin oranges.
- Garnish with additional romaine, if desired.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, marinate the chicken in soy sauce and ginger before cooking. If you don't have chow mein noodles, consider using crispy wonton strips for a similar crunch. You can also substitute the mandarin oranges with fresh orange segments for a vibrant twist. Don't forget to toast the sesame seeds for enhanced nuttiness.
Serving Suggestions
This salad is perfect as a light lunch or as a side dish for grilled dishes. It pairs beautifully with recipes like O'Reilly'S St. Patrick'S Day Green Soup for a refreshing meal. For a heartier option, serve alongside steamed rice or quinoa to complement the flavors.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To prevent the noodles from becoming soggy, keep them separate and add just before serving. Reheat chicken separately in a microwave or skillet, but enjoy the salad chilled for the best texture.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Sesame Chicken Salad contains roughly 913 calories, with 37g protein, 45g carbohydrates, and 71g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (73% of the Daily Value), iron (47% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (41% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium and calcium. It also contributes 11g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use leftover chicken for this salad?
Absolutely! Leftover rotisserie chicken or any cooked chicken breast works perfectly in this salad. Just shred or chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces and toss it in with the other ingredients for a quick meal.
What can I use instead of sesame oil?
If you don't have sesame oil, you can substitute it with a light olive oil or peanut oil. While it won't have the same nutty flavor, a drizzle of toasted sesame seeds can help mimic that essence in the dish.
Is this salad gluten-free?
To make this salad gluten-free, choose gluten-free chow mein noodles or crispy rice noodles. Ensure that your sesame oil and soy sauce are also gluten-free, as traditional soy sauce contains wheat. This way, you can enjoy a deliciously safe meal.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).