Description
Chicken Cranberry Salad is a delightful mix of savory and sweet flavors, combining tender rotisserie chicken with the tartness of dried cranberries and the citrusy sweetness of mandarin oranges. Enhanced with the crunch of toasted almonds and sesame sticks, and freshened up with cilantro and red onion, this salad is dressed in an Asian-inspired vinaigrette, making it a flavorful option for any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 small bags of coleslaw mix (about 12 cups)
- 4 cups rotisserie chicken, finely chopped
- 1 ½ cups toasted sliced almonds, or cashews
- 1 ½ cups dried cranberries
- ¾ cup red onion, finely diced
- 1 cup sesame sticks (optional)
- 1 ½ cups chopped cilantro
- 1–2 small cans mandarin oranges, drained (optional)
- ¼ cup black sesame seeds, or regular sesame seeds
- 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ cup balsamic vinegar (regular or white)
- 4 Tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
- 3–4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 4 Tbsp. honey or brown sugar
- 4 Tbsp. minced ginger
- 2 tsp. toasted sesame oil
Instructions
Layer Salad:
Combine coleslaw mix, chicken, almonds or cashews, cranberries, red onion, sesame seeds, sesame sticks (if using), cilantro, and mandarin oranges (if using) in a large bowl.
Make Dressing:
Blend olive oil, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, honey, ginger, sesame oil, and water until smooth.
Dress and Toss:
Pour the desired amount of dressing over the salad, toss gently, and serve.
Enjoy your delicious and nutritious Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad! 
Notes
- Toasting almonds and sesame sticks adds extra crunch and nuttiness to the salad.
- For a lighter version, substitute honey with a sugar-free sweetener and use less olive oil.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Tossing
- Cuisine: American with Asian influences
Nutrition
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 18g
- Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 50mg