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Delicious Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad with shredded chicken and sesame dressing.

Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad

A fresh and filling salad that combines tender chicken, chewy cranberries, and crunchy greens, making it perfect for lunch, dinner, or potlucks.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Salad
Cuisine: American, Asian
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Base Ingredients
  • 4 cups mixed greens (romaine, spring mix, or crunchy cabbage blend)
  • 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or chopped) Rotisserie chicken works great.
  • 1 cup dried cranberries Can substitute with chopped dried cherries or raisins.
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1 medium red bell pepper (optional) Adds fresh crunch.
  • 1/2 cup green onions (sliced) Can substitute with thin sliced red onion.
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds or cashews Add as desired for crunch.
  • 1 cup optional crispy toppings (wonton strips or crunchy ramen noodles) Add just before serving.
Dressing Ingredients
  • 1/4 cup olive oil (or neutral oil)
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon honey Adjust based on sweetness of cranberries.
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
  • optional red pepper flakes or sriracha Add for heat.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Start by adding the mixed greens to a large bowl. If using cabbage, toss it with a pinch of salt to soften slightly.
  2. Add the shredded chicken, cranberries, shredded carrots, optional red bell pepper, and green onions to the bowl.
  3. Toss in the sliced almonds or cashews, and hold back the crispy toppings until just before serving.
Dressing and Serving
  1. Drizzle a small amount of the dressing over the salad and toss gently. Add more dressing as needed.
  2. Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning if necessary by adding more vinegar or soy sauce.
  3. Just before serving, sprinkle the crispy toppings over the salad.

Notes

Store greens and vegetables separately from chicken and dressing to keep the salad fresh. Add crunchy toppings just before serving to maintain their texture.