Description
Refreshing “Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad” blends sweet, tangy flavors with crisp vegetables and tender chicken. Hearty yet light, this dish offers a perfect balance of textures that will satisfy you in just one delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced)
Salad Base and Vegetables:
- 4 cups mixed greens (such as spinach, arugula, and romaine)
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup red cabbage (thinly sliced)
- ¼ cup green onions (chopped)
Toppings and Dressing Ingredients:
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup sliced almonds or chopped peanuts
- ¼ cup soy sauce (for the dressing)
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (for the dressing)
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil (for the dressing)
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (for the dressing)
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger (grated, for the dressing)
- 1 clove garlic (minced, for the dressing)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Prepare a spacious mixing vessel and layer the foundation with a vibrant medley of crisp mixed greens, creating a verdant canvas for the salad.
- Scatter shredded carrots and crimson red cabbage across the greens, introducing textural contrast and vivid color to the dish.
- Sprinkle dried cranberries and toasted almonds or crunchy peanuts over the vegetable base, adding bursts of sweetness and nutty complexity.
- Incorporate finely sliced green onions to provide a subtle, sharp aromatic element to the salad composition.
- Gently fold tender, succulent chicken pieces throughout the vegetable mixture, ensuring an even distribution of protein.
- Craft a harmonious dressing by whisking together umami-rich soy sauce, tangy rice vinegar, fragrant sesame oil, and sweet honey or maple syrup.
- Infuse the dressing with zesty grated ginger and pungent minced garlic, creating a multilayered flavor profile.
- Season the dressing with a delicate balance of salt and pepper, tasting and adjusting to achieve perfect seasoning.
- Drizzle the aromatic dressing over the salad, using a light hand to coat the ingredients without overwhelming their individual characteristics.
- Toss the salad delicately, allowing each component to be gracefully enrobed in the dressing.
- Serve immediately for maximum freshness and crispness, or allow to rest briefly in the refrigerator to let flavors meld and intensify.
Notes
- Elevate your weeknight dinner with this vibrant, protein-packed salad bursting with Asian-inspired flavors.
- Master the perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and savory notes through the carefully crafted homemade dressing.
- Swap chicken with tofu or shrimp for a versatile meal that adapts to different dietary preferences.
- Maximize flavor by allowing the salad to rest briefly, letting the dressing gently marinate the ingredients.
- Toast nuts lightly before adding to enhance their nutty crunch and release deeper, richer aromatics.
- Prepare extra dressing and store in the refrigerator for quick, easy meal prep throughout the week.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg