Asian Chopped Salad
- By Amy Dong
- Updated Jun. 10, 2025
I could eat this Asian Chopped Salad every week, and it’s one my teen boys are happy to devour as well. It’s loaded with crunchy veggies, juicy chicken, and a bold sesame ginger dressing that ties it all together.
In This Article
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Amy’s Notes
This Asian Chopped Salad is one of my all-time favorites salads! It’s one my family will actually eat, which means something when my family includes several teenage boys. I also love serving this at potlucks, as people love it.
- All the Crunch and Color: From crisp romaine to red cabbage and carrots, this salad is a rainbow of texture. The toasted almonds on top seal the deal.
- Bold Sesame Ginger Dressing: This dressing is everything. Sweet, tangy, anf perfectly gingery. I always double the batch to drizzle on other greens all week long, like with my Asian Pasta Salad.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep the dressing and chop the veggies ahead of time. Toss everything together just before serving and you’re golden.
- Better Than Any Restaurant Version: Seriously. No store-bought dressing or takeout salad compares. It reminds me of my Creamy Caesar Dressing and Homemade Caesar Salad.
Key Recipe Ingredients
- Rotisserie Chicken – Shredded rotisserie or cooked chicken adds protein and makes the salad hearty enough for a complete lunch or dinner. Feel free to omit it if you’re keeping it meatless.
- Romaine Lettuce – Crisp and refreshing, romaine provides the perfect base that holds up well to the rich sesame ginger dressing.
- Seasoned Rice Vinegar – Adds a mild tang and slight sweetness that forms the base of the sesame ginger dressing.
- Mandarin Oranges – Juicy, sweet mandarin segments balance the savory flavors and add a burst of brightness to the salad.
- Toasted Almonds – Lightly toasted almonds bring a warm, nutty crunch that finishes the salad with texture and flavor.
Substitutions And Variations
Here are some of our favorite substitutions and variations:
- Lettuce Swap: Romaine adds crispness, but you can use napa cabbage, green leaf lettuce, or a shredded slaw mix for a similar crunch and more convenience.
- Edamame Alternatives: If you’re out of edamame, try using shelled green peas, chopped snap peas, or even canned chickpeas for a different texture and added protein.
- Heat Levels: Sriracha gives a bit of spice, but you can use chili garlic sauce for a stronger kick or skip the heat completely if serving a mild crowd.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
- Blend the dressing ingredients until fully emulsified. The combination of oils and liquids may take a minute to come together smoothly.
- When tossing the salad, work in layers to ensure the dressing reaches all the chopped vegetables without pooling at the bottom.
- Add the chicken and oranges after the initial toss so they maintain their texture and don’t break apart under the weight of the other ingredients.
- Finish with almonds just before serving to create a contrast in texture and keep them from softening too early.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
How To Prep Ahead
Take a look at our best prep-ahead strategies for this recipe:
- Make the Dressing Ahead: The sesame ginger dressing can be made up to one week in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge and give it a good shake before using.
- Prep and Store the Ingredients: You can chop the veggies ahead of time. Store them in separate containers or combine in a large zip-top bag. Shred the chicken and toast the almonds in advance as well. Keep everything refrigerated until it’s time to serve.
What To Serve with Asian Chopped Salad
Protein Pairings
- We love serving Asian Chopped Salad with Asian Chicken Skewers. It pairs beautifully with the sesame ginger dressing.
- It also goes great with Lemon Pepper Shrimp for a quick, citrusy protein that keeps the meal light and vibrant.
Grilled and Asian-Inspired Dishes
- This salad is a perfect match for summer grilling. We love it with Grilled Chicken Thighs or Grilled Pork Chops with Marinade for a smoky, savory contrast.
- It also goes great with Asian Burgers with Sriracha Mayo or Asian Grilled Shrimp for a meal that’s full of bold flavor.
Did you make this?
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Asian Chopped Salad
This Asian Chopped Salad is healthy and 200% delicious. You’ll definitely want to keep it in regular rotation; perfect for lunch, dinner, or sharing with friends.
Ingredients
For the Dressing:
- ¼ cup seasoned rice wine vinegar, found in most stores' Asian aisles
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon Sriracha
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons pure honey
- 3 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons Asian toasted sesame oil, caramel brown in color
- ⅓ cup canola or olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
For the Salad:
- ½ head Romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup red cabbage, chopped
- 1 cup pre-shelled edamame
- 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup matchstick carrots
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- ¼ cup scallions, thinly sliced
- 2 cups rotisserie chicken, or freshly cooked chicken breasts, shredded
- 1 can mandarin oranges, 15 oz can, drained
- ½ cup chopped almonds, toasted
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients until well blended. Transfer to airtight container and keep chilled until ready to serve.
- When ready to serve: In salad bowl, toss together all salad ingredients except chicken, oranges, and almonds. Toss in enough dressing to coat the veggies well.
- Gently toss in shredded chicken and mandarin oranges, sprinkling in more dressing as desired. Garnish top of salad with almonds when ready to serve. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use pre-chopped ingredients like matchstick carrots, shelled edamame, and diced red bell peppers to save time and make prep easier.
- For the best flavor and texture, toast the almonds yourself in a dry skillet until golden and fragrant. If using store-bought sliced almonds, a quick skillet toast can bring out that fresh-roasted flavor.
- Make a double batch of the sesame ginger dressing and store it in the fridge. It keeps well for several weeks and is great on other salads, grain bowls, or as a marinade.
- Toss the salad with dressing just before serving to keep everything crisp. If making ahead, store the dressing and salad components separately.
- Use rotisserie chicken for convenience, or swap in grilled or leftover chicken if you have it. Shred or chop it into bite-sized pieces for easier eating.
- This recipe is part of our Vegetable Recipes Collection.
- This salad is a perfect match for summer grilling. We love it with Grilled Chicken Thighs or Grilled Pork Chops with Marinade.
Nutrition (per serving)
Calories: 306kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 17g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 281mg | Potassium: 346mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 5559IU | Vitamin C: 30mg | Calcium: 72mg | Iron: 1mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use store-bought chopped veggies?
Absolutely. Pre-cut matchstick carrots, pre-shelled edamame, and chopped bell peppers are great time-savers and work just fine in this salad.
What’s a good substitute for rotisserie chicken?
Freshly cooked or grilled chicken breasts, shredded or chopped, work great. You can also use grilled chicken or leftover roast chicken if you have it on hand.
Are mandarin oranges necessary?
They add a nice pop of sweetness, but you can skip them or substitute with fresh orange segments or even pineapple chunks if preferred.
How long does the Asian chopped salad recipe keep?
Once dressed, the salad is best served immediately. Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 1 day, though the texture will soften. Extra dressing keeps for several weeks in the fridge.
More to Cook And Eat
- Crunchy Thai Salad – This Crunchy Thai Salad holds up to its name; it’s full of crunchy goodies and tossed with the most amazing dressing…you’ll keep coming back for more.
- Asian Rice Salad – This Asian Rice Salad is an exciting blend of flavors, color, and texture. The blend of grains and greens with sesame ginger dressing is jaw-dropping delicious!
- Rotisserie Chicken Salad – This Rotisserie Chicken Salad is healthier than most, without compromising a bit of flavor. Minimal effort with delicious results.
- Vietnamese Chicken Salad – This Vietnamese Chicken Salad Recipe is crunchy, yummy, and healthy. The Asian dressing is absolutely irresistible, so plan on making extra for keeping in the fridge for future salads.