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There is so much flavor and crunch in this Chinese Chicken Salad with Cashews, making it the perfect warm-weather lunch or dinner option! The homemade orange sesame dressing adds a fresh finishing touch to the sweet, savory, and satisfying meal.
Heads up! This recipe for Chinese Chicken Salad was originally published in June, 2014. The photos were updated in July, 2018.
I love a dish that combines a variety of textures and interesting flavors — especially salty and sweet together. With the rich sesame oil and fresh, sweet orange juice in the dressing, paired with the salty crunchy nuts, crisp veggies, and fresh orange slices in the salad, your taste buds will be singing a happy song!
I serve this as a make-ahead dinner, but the leftovers also work perfectly for lunch the next day. Plus, it’s hearty enough that even the men in my house consider it a real meal!
How do you make Chinese Chicken Salad?
It’s all about the toppings, friends! From the orange sesame dressing to the crisp, fresh vegetables, the sweet and juicy fruit, and the crunchy, buttery cashews, the combination of flavors and textures is what makes this Chinese Chicken Salad so delicious and satisfying.
I modeled my Chinese Chicken Salad after the entree salad from California Pizza Kitchen that I grew up on. I honestly haven’t been to that restaurant in about 20 years, but I still remember that salad!
The key ingredient, in my opinion, is definitely the toasted sesame oil that I use in the homemade Chinese salad dressing. It adds such a unique, rich flavor that I strongly urge you to use it in this dish. It just wouldn’t be the same without it!
And don’t worry — you’ll have plenty of other opportunities to use up the rest of the small bottle of sesame oil. From 10-Minute Oven-Roasted Sesame Broccoli to Cold Peanut Sesame Noodles and One Skillet “Egg Roll in a Bowl,” the ingredient will soon become a staple in your kitchen.
Serving the Chinese Chicken Salad to kids?
My boys like the “deconstructed” version — chicken, cashews, orange slices, peppers, and chow mein noodles — all served side by side in their own separate piles. Hey, whatever it takes!
The recipe makes more dressing than I ever need, so save the extra in a jar in your refrigerator and enjoy it throughout the week. It’s so tasty!
If you’re enjoying entree salads this season, you’ll also love these easy recipes — there’s a cuisine to keep your tastebuds happy every night of the week!
If you’ve tried this Chinese Chicken Salad with Cashews or any other recipe on The Seasoned Mom, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! You can follow me on Facebook, on Instagram, on Pinterest, and on Twitter!
Chinese Chicken Salad with Cashews
Ingredients
- 4 cups diced, cooked chicken (grilled chicken or a store-bought rotisserie chicken work well)
- 2 ribs celery, chopped
- 1 head of romaine lettuce, chopped
- 2 red bell peppers, seeded and chopped
- 4 green onions, sliced
- 1 cup mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 cup salted cashews
- 1 cup Chinese chow mein noodles
For the Orange Sesame Dressing:
- ¼ cup sesame oil
- ¼ cup olive oil or avocado oil
- ½ cup fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 4 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
To prepare dressing:
- Add all ingredients to a jar with a tight lid and shake until completely combined. Refrigerate for up to 1 week.
To prepare salad:
- In a large bowl, toss together chicken, celery, lettuce, bell peppers, onions, and oranges.
- Add enough of the dressing to lightly coat. Chill, covered, for up to 2 hours (or serve immediately).
- When ready to serve, divide evenly between four plates and garnish with cashews and chow mein noodles.
I love Chinese chicken salad and haven’t made it a long time. Thanks for sharing it on Merry Monday.
Hi, Erlene! Thanks so much for stopping by!
Thank you for sharing this beautiful salad with us at Treasure Box Tuesday! Pinned and sharing on FB this morning! 🙂
Oh that sounds wonderful for the warmer weather but with a bit more flavor than traditional green salad. Thanks so much for sharing on Foodie Friday
I’ve never had a Chinese chicken salad before, it looks great. Thanks for linking up to Sweet and Savoury Sunday, stop by and link up again. Have a great day!!
Thanks for stopping by, Laura!
I just love this fresh summer salad, it looks delicious! Hope you have had a great weekend and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday!
Come Back Soon,
Miz Helen
I love a crunch in my salad, it looks delicious! Thank you so much for linking up at Tasty Tuesday! Your recipe has been pinned to the Tasty Tuesday Pinterest board! Please join us again this week!
I love this salad and with the dressing. I love the crunchy noodles and cashews, this is better than just a plain ole’ salad. I also use sesame oil in my cooking, and will be making this in the future. Just better than a plain ole’ salad.
Thanks, Marie!
I made this salad tonight and it was delicious! It was so colorful and crunchy. I can’t wait to make it again. ????
Yay! So glad that you enjoyed it, Lien! Thanks for letting me know! 🙂
Did you not have a recipe for a chinese meal that called for snap peas and some celery, etc. Would like for you to submit it again or send to me direct email.
Thank you
Hi, Beulah! I can’t think of a recipe like you suggest. The closest that I have is this Sesame Ginger Snap Pea Salad: https://www.theseasonedmom.com/sesame-ginger-snap-pea-salad/
or this Ramen Noodle Salad: https://www.theseasonedmom.com/what-were-eating-chinese-coleslaw/
Maybe you’re remembering one of those? Hope that helps!