Description
The Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad is a vibrant, nutritious, and flavor-packed dish that combines tender sesame-marinated chicken with crisp cabbage, colorful vegetables, and a tangy sesame-soy dressing. Topped with toasted sesame seeds and optional garnishes like nuts or fresh herbs, this salad is a perfect blend of savory, tangy, and crunchy elements. Whether you’re looking for a healthy meal, a party-worthy dish, or an option for meal prep, this salad delivers on all fronts.
Ingredients
Scale
For the chicken:
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 cut into matchsticks for excellent crunch!)
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly julienned
- 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
- For the dressing:
- 1 batch Sesame Ginger Dressing
- For serving:
- 1/3 cup toasted sliced almonds
- 1/3 cup roasted cashews halves
- Sesame seeds
- Extra cilantro
- Extra green onion
- A few jalapeno slices
- Optional: Crispy wonton strips
Instructions
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Marinate the chicken using this grilled sesame chicken recipe.
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Make the sesame ginger dressing. Set aside.
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Assemble the salad together: in a large bowl, add the green and red cabbage, green onion, cilantro, carrots, bell pepper and jalapeno. Pour dressing all over the salad and toss to combine and coat all the veggies. Cover and set aside while you bake or grill your chicken according to the recipe.
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Serve the salad: add salad to a large platter. Garnish with toasted sliced almonds, cashews, extra cilantro, a sprinkle of sesame seeds, a few jalapeno slices and some additional chopped green onion, if desired. I also love adding crispy wonton strips but that’s totally optional. Dig in! Serves 4 as a hearty main dish or 6 as a side dish.
Notes
- Customizable Protein: While chicken is the star, tofu, shrimp, or tempeh can easily replace it for dietary preferences or variety.
- Keep it Crunchy: To preserve the salad’s texture, always toss the dressing in just before serving, especially if prepared in advance.
- Ingredient Flexibility: Mix and match vegetables like snap peas, cucumbers, or edamame to add extra layers of flavor and color.
- Dressing Tip: Adjust the dressing’s sweetness, saltiness, or tanginess by modifying the amounts of honey, soy sauce, or vinegar to suit your taste.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Store components separately and assemble on the day of serving for freshness.
- Perfect for Sharing: This salad’s visual appeal and vibrant flavors make it an excellent choice for potlucks or gatherings.