Okay, so this isn’t your average salad—it’s giving old school PF Changs sesame salad vibes, but like, grown up and way more addicting. We’ve got crisp shredded veggies, juicy mandarin oranges for that sweet pop, chicken for some solid protein, and then…the real star: crispy wonton “croutons.” Honestly, you’ll want to eat them by the handful, but if you manage to save a few for the bowl, future you will be grateful.
And the dressing? Simple but flavor-packed—sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and a splash of that mandarin juice. It’s nutty, tangy, a little sweet, and makes everything it touches taste next-level. Toss it all together and suddenly you’re not forcing yourself to eat veggies—you’re low-key obsessed.
Why You’ll Love This Sesame Chicken Salad
This salad checks all the boxes: it’s high-protein, packed with colorful veggies, and layered with the best textures—crunchy, crisp, juicy, and fresh. The homemade sesame dressing comes together in minutes and is healthier (and honestly tastier) than anything you could get at a restaurant. Plus, it’s easy to meal prep: chop the veggies, prep the chicken, and bake off your wonton strips ahead of time, then toss it all together when you’re ready to eat. Perfect for lunches, weeknight dinners, or even impressing friends at a potluck.
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Sesame Chopped Chicken Salad
- Total Time: 20
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
This sesame chopped chicken salad is loaded with crisp veggies, juicy mandarins, and crispy wonton strips, all tossed in a sweet-savory sesame dressing.
Ingredients
For the Sesame Chopped Chicken Salad:
- 2 cups napa cabbage, sliced thinly
- 1 cup coleslaw mix
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- ½ cup shredded carrots
- 2 persian cucumbers, sliced (optional)
- 2 green onions, chopped
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 5 oz canned mandarin oranges (save the juice!)
- 4oz egg roll or wonton wrappers, cut into strips
- Avocado oil spray
- Salt to taste
For the Sesame Dressing:
- 3 tbsps sesame oil
- 2 tbsps rice vinegar
- 2 tbsps soy sauce
- 2 tbsps juice from the can of mandarin oranges
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
Instructions
For the Sesame Chopped Chicken Salad:
- First start off by making your crispy wonton wrapper “croutons”: add the wonton strips in a single layer to your air fryer basket or a baking sheet. Spray generously with avocado oil and season with salt. Either air fry at 350°F for 4-5 minutes, or bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside to cool.
- Make your salad dressing by adding sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, mandarin orange juice, honey and sesame seeds to a jar with a tight fitting lid. Shake well until combined.
- Assemble your salad: to a bowl, add the napa cabbage, coleslaw mix, shredded chicken, carrots, cucumbers, green onions, and cilantro. Pour over the dressing and toss until well combined, tasting to adjust for seasoning. Top with mandarin oranges and wonton strips and enjoy!
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 5