Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad
This Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad is a vibrant, flavorful Summer Salad that’s as easy as it is delicious. I love how its mix of sweet, savory, and crunchy elements comes together in minutes, making it perfect for lunches, dinners, or festive gatherings.
Ingredients
- 12 cups coleslaw mix 2 small bags
- 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
- 1 –2 small cans mandarin oranges drained
- ¼ cup black sesame seeds or regular sesame seeds
For the Dressing:
- 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar
- 4 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 –4 cloves garlic chopped
- 4 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons minced ginger
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
Instructions
- In a large bowl, layer the coleslaw mix, finely chopped rotisserie chicken, toasted almonds (or cashews), dried cranberries, diced red onion, sesame sticks if using, chopped cilantro, and sesame seeds.
- Gently fold in the drained mandarin oranges.
- In a blender, combine extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, chopped garlic, honey (or brown sugar), minced ginger, and toasted sesame oil. Blend until smooth, adding about 3 tablespoons of water to achieve pourable consistency.
- Drizzle the dressing evenly over the salad and toss gently to coat.
- Serve immediately or chill for a short time before serving for enhanced flavor.
Notes
- Swap almonds for cashews or pecans based on preference.
- Add toasted pumpkin seeds for extra crunch and flavor.
- For a spicy kick, add sliced jalapeños or chili flakes to the dressing.
- Make vegetarian by omitting chicken and adding extra nuts or crispy tofu.
- Try different dried fruits like cherries or raisins for variety.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 2 days; nuts may soften over time.
- Prepare salad and dressing separately if making ahead to keep freshness and crunch.