Whole30 Chinese Chicken Salad

Craving a salad that combines crunch and flavor? Enter my Chinese Chicken Salad—a delightful harmony of textures and tastes. Having the best fresh ingredients like broccoli slaw, carrot sticks, water chestnuts, and almonds. These are complemented by irresistibly marinated chicken. Try this Mediterranean Chopped Salad too.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This easy salad is a symphony of freshness and simplicity, and it’s one of my favorite Whole30 salad recipes! The diverse ingredients come together effortlessly, creating a dish that’s beautiful and bright. For the perfect finishing touch, don’t forget to try it with my Sesame Ginger Dressing—it’s the magic that ties this salad together. Bonus: it makes a great option for meal prep for the week ahead!

Ingredients You Will Need

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: is a lean cut of meat from the chicken that can be baked, grilled or poached and is so versatile.

Sesame Oil: Sesame oil’s nutty aroma and rich, savory flavor enhance this marinade.

Garlic Powder: Using garlic powder over minced garlic is best in this recipe as it easily dissipates into the marinade.

Ground Ginger: adds a warm and aromatic flavor.

Coconut Aminos: A gluten free and soy-free alternative to traditional soy sauce, coconut aminos bring a rich umami flavor.

Lime: adds a bright and zesty dimension to this marinade. The recipe calls for an optional extra squeeze of lime on top of the salad.

Arrowroot Powder: A versatile thickening agent in recipes, arrowroot powder is an excellent alternative to cornstarch or flour. It does not impact the flavor of a dish.

Broccoli Slaw: A crisp and crunchy salad made from shredded broccoli stems and often includes shredded carrots and cabbage too.

Carrot Sticks: Carrot sticks add a delightful crunch that complements the shredded broccoli slaw. They enhance the texture and add more colors.

Water Chestnuts: Water chestnuts are commonly available in most grocery stores, often found canned and sliced or whole. They are crisp and crunchy and make a delightful addition to salads.

Tangerines/Mandarin Oranges: Tangerines are similar to mandarin oranges, often used interchangeably. Either of these citrus fruits add a vibrantly sweet and citrusy flavor to this salad.

Slivered Almonds: Slivered almonds add a delightful crunch to salads, and their mild yet neutral flavor complements the other ingredients. This makes them a popular choice over other nuts for added texture.

Green Onions: impart a mild, onion-like flavor and a touch of freshness.

Sesame Seeds: Sesame seeds provide a delightful crunch and a nutty, earthy flavor, adding texture to dishes.

Instructions

Marinate the chicken: by mixing together the sesame oil, garlic, ginger, coconut aminos and lime. Now add the chicken to marinade.

Mix up the salad: Toss together the broccoli slaw, carrots, water chestnuts, tangerines, almonds and green onion. Give everything a good toss.

Cook the chicken: Heat oil in a pan. Add the arrowroot powder to the chicken and toss it well. Cook the chicken 2-3 minutes per side, depending on how large the bites are.

Add the chicken to the salad: Once fully cooked, add the chicken to the salad.

Dress the salad: now pour the dressing on top. Garnish with limes and sesame seeds.

Enjoy!

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Marinate it longer: marinating for up to 2 hours in the refrigerator can intensify the flavors.

Save some without the dressing: it’s advisable not to dress the entire salad in one go. This maintains the salad’s freshness and crispness.

Recipe Variations

Experiment with marinades: This Whole30 Chinese Chicken salad calls for a specific marinade. You lcan switch up your marinade ingredients based on your preferences.

Want a little spice? Try sprinkling in a pinch of crushed red pepper or a little bit of sriracha into the marinade. This gives the chicken a subtle kick.

Storage Tips

This Whole30 Chinese Chicken Salad can be stored in the fridge for 4-5 days. Place it in a sealed airtight glass container. Keeping the dressing separate will maintain the crispness of the salad.

FAQs About Whole30 Chinese Chicken Salad

What is Chinese chicken salad made of?

My version of this Whole30 Chinese chicken salad includes a medley of ingredients. It features broccoli slaw, carrot sticks, water chestnuts, and almonds, harmonized by chicken marinated in sesame oil, garlic, ginger, coconut aminos and lime.

What is Chinese salad dressing made of?

I recommend pairing this chicken salad with my homemade Sesame Ginger Dressing.

Is Chinese chicken salad healthy?

Yes, my version of this Whole30 Chicken Salad can be a healthy option.