Description
A fresh and delicious sesame chicken cabbage crunch salad packed with bright, crunchy vegetables, juicy grilled chicken, and a flavorful sesame ginger dressing. Perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner, this versatile salad can also be customized with your favorite veggies or proteins for added variety.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- Prepared grilled sesame chicken (see recipe)
For the Salad:
- 4 cups shredded green cabbage
- 2 cups shredded red cabbage
- 1/2 cup diced green onion
- 3/4 cup freshly diced cilantro
- 1 cup shredded carrots (bagged or cut into matchsticks)
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly julienned
- 1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
For the Dressing:
- 1 batch Sesame Ginger Dressing (recipe not detailed here)
For Serving:
- 1/3 cup toasted sliced almonds
- 1/3 cup roasted cashew halves
- Sesame seeds, for garnish
- Extra cilantro, for garnish
- Extra green onion, for garnish
- A few jalapeno slices
- Optional: Crispy wonton strips
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: Prepare and marinate the chicken using the grilled sesame chicken recipe. This primes the chicken with rich sesame flavors before cooking.
- Make the Dressing: Prepare the sesame ginger dressing separately and set it aside while you prepare the rest of the salad.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine shredded green and red cabbages, diced green onion, cilantro, shredded carrots, julienned red bell pepper, and diced jalapeno. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to coat all the vegetables evenly. Cover the bowl and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Bake or grill the marinated chicken according to the recipe instructions until fully cooked and juicy.
- Serve the Salad: Transfer the dressed salad onto a large serving platter. Garnish with toasted sliced almonds, roasted cashew halves, extra cilantro, a sprinkle of sesame seeds, additional chopped green onion, and a few jalapeno slices. Optionally, add crispy wonton strips for extra texture. Serve immediately while chicken is warm. Serves 4 as a main dish or 6 as a side.
Notes
- For a vegetarian or vegan option, omit the chicken or substitute with tofu or rinsed and drained chickpeas for added protein.
- This salad is highly customizable: feel free to add or swap in your favorite crunchy vegetables or protein sources.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American, Asian
