Chopped Chinese Chicken Salad

mains recipes Oct 06, 2021

Sometimes you just need a big ol’ bowl of veggies, am I right? But that by no means means that it has to be boring!

One of the biggest personal victories I find from working with clients is helping them find joy in eating veggies. Not just consuming them for the physical benefits, but because they enjoy finding ways to make veggies delicious and satisfying!

And this Chopped Chinese Chicken Salad is the perfect way to do just that. It takes very minimal prep (just some chopping!) and it’s packed full of flavor.

Asian ingredients in general are some of my absolute favorite, if you can’t tell from all of the tasty options I have on my site. Be sure to whip them up while you’re at it:

In this bowl, you’ll find a great variety of textures and flavors, with all of the best crunchy additions. Purple cabbage, Napa cabbage, romaine lettuce and carrots make the perfect base and provide an impressive array of health benefits including antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber.

I also love that this bowl provides lots of protein to keep you full and satisfied as well. Edamame is a great source of plant-based protein, plus it’s rich in vitamins and minerals and might help reduce the risk of chronic disease.

And while you can certainly cook and shred chicken yourself for this recipe, rotisserie chicken makes your life a whole lot easier. Plus, they’re always super flavorful and yield enough to throw in salads all week long.

For a little burst of sweetness in your bowl, mandarin oranges are key. This addition is really what will make this salad remind you of your favorite restaurant (and maybe your childhood as well ). I recommend looking for canned mandarins without any added sugar (just in their own juices).

Lastly, no meal is complete without fresh herbs, in my opinion. Cilantro is one of my absolute favorites, as it adds a burst of freshness to any dish. Plus, cilantro is a powerhouse superfood! It’s seen to help improve blood sugar, aid immune function, protect brain and heart health, promote healthy digestion, fight infections and more.

But to bring this crunchy, chopped salad together, you won’t want to forget the dressing! This one is packed full of flavor and spice for just the right kick.