Description
If you’re looking for a quick lunch, a healthy dinner, or an easy meal prep idea, this Chicken Coleslaw Salad with Ginger Sesame Dressing checks all the boxes. It’s packed with protein, bursting with color, and full of texture thanks to shredded cabbage, juicy mandarin oranges, crunchy almonds, and sweet cranberries. Tossed in a bold, homemade ginger-sesame dressing, it delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Whether you’re after light dinner ideas, easy recipes, or just trying to eat more veggies, this vibrant salad is a must-try.
Ingredients
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or sliced
4 cups coleslaw mix (cabbage and carrot)
1 cup mandarin oranges, drained if canned
1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1 teaspoon black sesame seeds
1 teaspoon white sesame seeds
1/3 cup ginger sesame dressing (homemade or store-bought)
Instructions
1. Shred or slice the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. If cooking fresh, season and cook it beforehand.
2. In a large mixing bowl, add the coleslaw mix as your crunchy base.
3. Add red onion, mandarin oranges, cranberries, and cilantro to the bowl.
4. Sprinkle in the toasted almonds and both types of sesame seeds.
5. Add the chicken and gently toss everything together.
6. Drizzle in the ginger sesame dressing, starting with half. Toss and add more as needed.
7. Let the salad rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning or dressing if needed. Serve immediately.
Notes
Toast the almonds in a dry pan for extra crunch and flavor.
Make sure the chicken is well-seasoned to carry through the salad.
Add the dressing just before serving to keep everything crisp.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: chicken coleslaw salad, sesame ginger dressing, healthy lunch, quick salad, easy dinner