Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad
Have you ever craved a salad that’s bursting with Asian-inspired flavors but still feels light and refreshing? That’s exactly what drew me to creating this Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad. It’s one of those dishes that combines tender chicken, crisp cabbage, and a nutty sesame dressing into something truly addictive. In my experience, it’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something healthy without sacrificing taste.
I remember the first time I whipped up this Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad for a family gathering—everyone was hooked! The crunch from the cabbage and add-ins like mandarin oranges or almonds makes it stand out from your average salad. If you’re looking for an easy way to jazz up your meal routine, this is it. Let’s dive into how you can make your own Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad right at home.
I’ve linked it to some favorites like our easy Asian cucumber salad for sides, or try pairing with the 5-minute Asian sesame dressing for extra flair.
Grab This Chef Knife Now - Almost Gone!
- Stays Razor-Sharp: Ice-hardened blade keeps its edge longer than ordinary knives
- Superior Grip Control: Unique finger hole design gives you perfect balance and safety
- Built to Last a Lifetime: Premium stainless steel blade with elegant beech wood handle
- ✓ Finally, a knife that stays sharp and feels comfortable in my hand
- ✓ Professional quality without the premium price tag
- ✓ Makes meal prep faster and more enjoyable
⏰ Only a few items left in stock - order soon
Key Takeaways:
- This Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad offers a perfect balance of protein and veggies for a satisfying meal.
- Ready in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for quick lunches or dinners.
- The sesame flavors and crunch deliver an explosion of taste in every bite.
- Use fresh ingredients and chill briefly for maximum crispness.
- Stores well for meal prep—up to 3 days in the fridge.
Why You’ll Adore This Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad
Health-Boosting Ingredients: Packed with nutrient-rich cabbage and lean chicken, this salad is a powerhouse for your daily vitamins. I love how it keeps you full without weighing you down. It’s one of those recipes where healthy eating feels effortless and delicious.
Quick and Effortless Prep: Who doesn’t love a meal that comes together fast? You’ll spend more time enjoying than cooking. Here’s the thing—it’s versatile for any skill level in the kitchen.
Irresistible Crunch and Flavor: The Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad shines with its textural contrasts and savory sesame notes. Every forkful is a treat that keeps you coming back. What I find interesting is how the simple dressing ties it all together so harmoniously.
Customizable for Any Palate: Adapt it with your favorite veggies or proteins—endless possibilities! We always tweak it based on what’s in season. It’s become a staple in our home for good reason.
Grab This Kitchen Scale Now — Best Precision Pick!
- Razor-Accurate Every Time: Dual-increment precision down to 0.1g — perfect for baking, meal prep, and portion control with g, oz, ml, and fl'oz modes.
- Smart Removable Bowl Design: Detachable bowl doubles as a protective case for compact storage. Tare function lets you weigh ingredients in any container with zero fuss.
- Built for Everyday Convenience: Auto-zero, tare function, low battery alert, overload indicator, and 2-minute auto-off to extend battery life — all in a sleek stainless steel build.
- ✓ "Perfect for baking — precise, lightweight, and stores easily without wasting counter space"
- ✓ "A game changer! Weighing ingredients is now way more accurate than measuring cups"
- ✓ "Love the 0.1g precision and backlight — best food scale I've owned. Highly recommend!"
⏰ Only a few items left in stock - order soon
Essential Ingredients for Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad
Shredded Cabbage: This is the star base of your Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad, providing that signature crunch and freshness. I prefer a mix of green and red cabbage for color and extra nutrients—it’s low-carb and full of fiber. In my experience, it holds up well even after dressing, unlike softer lettuces.
Cooked Chicken Breast: Shredded or diced, it adds juicy protein to balance the veggies in this Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad. Opt for rotisserie chicken to save time; it’s tender and absorbs the sesame flavors beautifully. Grilling or baking your own keeps it light and healthy.
Sesame Seeds and Oil: These bring the nutty, toasty essence that’s central to the Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad. Toasting the seeds enhances their aroma—trust me, it’s worth the extra minute. They’re also packed with healthy fats for added nutrition.
How to Make Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad
Prep the Veggies and Chicken
Start by shredding your cabbage finely—about 4 cups will do for a hearty Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad. Toss in sliced carrots, green onions, and any crunch elements like sliced almonds or chow mein noodles. I’ve found that prepping everything in advance makes assembly a breeze. Ensure your chicken is cooked and shredded; rotisserie works great for convenience.
Whisk Up the Sesame Dressing
In a small bowl, combine sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, and a minced garlic clove for that zesty kick. The dressing should be slightly sweet and tangy—taste and adjust as needed. Stir vigorously until emulsified; the aroma alone will have you excited. This step takes just minutes but elevates the entire dish.
Assemble and Toss the Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad
Pour the dressing over your prepped ingredients in a large bowl, starting with half to avoid sogginess. Gently toss everything together, ensuring the chicken and cabbage get evenly coated in this Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes to meld flavors—the crunch intensifies. For extra flair, sprinkle more sesame seeds on top before serving. If you’re into related twists, check out our Asian chicken crunch salad.
Ingredients
- 4 cups shredded cabbage (green or red)
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- ½ cup sliced green onions
- ¼ cup sliced almonds or chow mein noodles (for crunch)
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
- ¼ cup sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad Instructions
- Shred the cabbage and carrots, then slice the green onions. Shred the cooked chicken if not already done.
- In a jar or bowl, whisk together sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, and minced garlic until well combined.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cabbage, carrots, green onions, chicken, and crunch add-ins like almonds.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.
- Chill for 5-10 minutes before serving for best flavor infusion.
Pro Tips for the Best Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad
Toast Your Sesame Seeds: A quick toast in a dry pan brings out their flavor—don’t skip this for your Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad.
Make Dressing Ahead: Prepare it up to a day in advance; the flavors deepen over time.
Add Fresh Herbs: Cilantro or mint can brighten it up without overpowering the sesame notes.
You Must Know
- This Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad is naturally gluten-free if using tamari instead of soy sauce.
- Cabbage’s high water content keeps the salad hydrated, but drain excess if needed.
- Sesame oil can be strong—start with less and add more to taste.
- It’s keto-friendly with under 10g net carbs per serving.
How to Store Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad
Keep your Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The cabbage might soften slightly, but it stays tasty—just give it a quick toss before eating. Avoid freezing as it affects the crunch; if you must reheat, serve cold or at room temp for best results.
Customizing Your Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad
Swap chicken for tofu or shrimp to make this Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad vegetarian or seafood-focused. Add mandarin oranges for sweetness or avocado for creaminess—experiment based on your preferences. For a spicier version, include sliced jalapeños. If you’re inspired by variations, try our spring roll salad with spicy ginger dressing.
What to Serve with Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad
This salad pairs beautifully with grilled veggies or steamed rice for a fuller meal. For a light lunch, serve alongside fresh sushi rolls or egg rolls. Don’t forget a crisp white wine or iced green tea to complement the sesame flavors. We’ve enjoyed it with quinoa bowls too, adding even more protein.
Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad
Fresh and delicious sesame chicken salad packed with bright, crunchy vegetables, juicy chicken, and a flavorful sesame ginger dressing. This flavorful sesame chicken salad is easy to customize with your fav veggies and proteins for the perfect healthy lunch or dinner during the week!
Timing
Recipe Details
Ingredients
- 01 1 Grilled Sesame Chicken (using this grilled sesame chicken recipe)
- 02 4 cup shredded green cabbage
- 03 2 cup shredded red cabbage
- 04 1/2 cup diced green onion
- 05 3/4 cup freshly diced cilantro
- 06 1 cup shredded carrots (bagged or cut into matchsticks for excellent crunch)
- 07 1 red bell pepper (thinly julienned)
- 08 1 jalapeno (seeded and diced)
- 09 1 batch Sesame Ginger Dressing
- 10 1/3 cup toasted sliced almonds
- 11 1/3 cup roasted cashews halves
- 12 Sesame seeds
- 13 Extra cilantro
- 14 Extra green onion
- 15 A few jalapeno slices
- 16 Crispy wonton strips (Optional)
Instructions
Marinate the chicken using this grilled sesame chicken recipe.
Make the sesame ginger dressing. Set aside.
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.
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.
FILED UNDER:
NUTRITION FACTS (PER SERVING)
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad
Can I make Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prep the ingredients separately and assemble just before serving to keep the crunch. If making the full Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad, store undressed for up to 24 hours. It’s great for meal prep lunches.
How long does Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad last in the fridge?
It keeps well for 2-3 days in an airtight container. The flavors might intensify, so taste and adjust seasoning. Avoid leaving it out too long to prevent sogginess.
Is Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad gluten-free?
Absolutely, if you use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari. Check labels on other ingredients like chow mein noodles. For more gluten-free ideas, see our easy low-carb chicken casserole.
Can I use rotisserie chicken in this recipe?
Rotisserie chicken is perfect for the Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad—it’s flavorful and saves time. Shred it finely for even distribution. Just ensure it’s cooled before mixing.
What’s the best way to shred cabbage for the salad?
Use a sharp knife or mandoline for thin, even shreds that provide great texture. It takes about 5 minutes and makes all the difference in your Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad.
How can I make Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad vegan?
Replace chicken with chickpeas or tofu, and use maple syrup instead of honey. The Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad transforms easily while keeping its bold flavors intact.
Does the dressing need refrigeration?
Once mixed, store the dressing in the fridge for up to a week. Shake well before using on your Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad. It’s versatile for other dishes too.
Can I add fruit to Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad?
Yes, mandarin oranges or pineapple add a sweet contrast. For similar fruity salads, check our 15-minute strawberry spinach salad.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about this Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad—it’s simple yet packed with flavors that make every bite memorable. Whether you’re meal prepping or hosting, it never disappoints. Give it a try this week; I promise you’ll love how easy and delicious it is. Share your twists in the comments!
