Description
A vibrant and healthy Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad featuring shredded chicken, fresh mixed greens, crunchy almonds, and a tangy homemade dressing with soy sauce and fresh ginger. Perfect for a quick, flavorful meal or light lunch.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 4 cups mixed greens (such as spinach, arugula, and romaine)
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup red cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds or chopped peanuts
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Salad Base: In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens, shredded carrots, red cabbage, dried cranberries, sliced almonds, and green onions to form the colorful base of the salad.
- Add the Chicken: Incorporate the cooked shredded or diced chicken into the salad bowl and toss gently to ensure even distribution of all ingredients.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey (or maple syrup), grated fresh ginger, and minced garlic until well blended. Season with salt and pepper according to taste preferences.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture and toss thoroughly to coat every ingredient evenly with the flavorful dressing.
- Serve or Chill: Serve the salad immediately for a fresh crunch, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld beautifully before serving.
Notes
- Use freshly cooked chicken or leftover roasted chicken for convenience.
- For a nut-free version, omit almonds or peanuts.
- Maple syrup can be used instead of honey for a vegan alternative.
- To add extra crunch, consider including toasted sesame seeds or crispy wonton strips.
- Refrigerating the salad for a short time enhances dressing absorption but avoid long refrigeration to maintain crispness.
