Name: Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Asian fusion
Ingredients: 12 cups coleslaw mix (2 small bags); 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; ¼ cup black sesame seeds (or regular sesame seeds); 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil; ½ cup balsamic vinegar; 4 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce; 3-4 cloves garlic, chopped; 4 tablespoons honey (or brown sugar); 4 tablespoons minced ginger; 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil

Description

A vibrant and satisfying Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad combining savory, sweet, and crunchy elements with a tangy-sweet dressing, perfect for lunch, dinner, or gatherings.

Ingredients

12 cups coleslaw mix (2 small bags)

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

¼ cup black sesame seeds (or regular sesame seeds)

For the Dressing:

1 cup extra-virgin olive oil

½ cup balsamic vinegar

4 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce

3–4 cloves garlic, chopped

4 tablespoons honey (or brown sugar)

4 tablespoons minced ginger

2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil

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Instructions

In a large bowl, layer the coleslaw mix, finely chopped rotisserie chicken, toasted almonds (or cashews), dried cranberries, diced red onion, sesame sticks if using, chopped cilantro, and sesame seeds.
Gently fold in the drained mandarin oranges.
In a blender, combine extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, chopped garlic, honey (or brown sugar), minced ginger, and toasted sesame oil. Blend until smooth, adding about 3 tablespoons of water to achieve pourable consistency.
Drizzle the dressing evenly over the salad and toss gently to coat.
Serve immediately or chill for a short time before serving for enhanced flavor.

Notes

Swap almonds for cashews or pecans based on preference.

Add toasted pumpkin seeds for extra crunch and flavor.

For a spicy kick, add sliced jalapeños or chili flakes to the dressing.

Make vegetarian by omitting chicken and adding extra nuts or crispy tofu.

Try different dried fruits like cherries or raisins for variety.

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 2 days; nuts may soften over time.

Prepare salad and dressing separately if making ahead to keep freshness and crunch.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No-cook, mixing
Cuisine: Asian fusion

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 320
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 350mg
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 17g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fiber: 3g
Protein: 18g
Cholesterol: 45mg