Description
Craving a colorful, crunchy, and bold-flavored meal? This Crunchy Asian Sesame Chicken Salad is your next go-to. It’s packed with juicy grilled chicken, crispy veggies, a nutty sesame dressing, and just enough heat to make your taste buds dance. Perfect for meal prep, lunch, or dinner, this easy recipe combines sweet, salty, spicy, and fresh in one bowl. Whether you’re into healthy snacks, easy dinner recipes, or light lunch ideas, this flavorful salad fits every craving and every occasion.
Ingredients
1.5 lbs chicken thighs
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons sesame oil
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated
2 cups red cabbage, thinly sliced
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cucumber, sliced into half moons
1 red bell pepper, julienned
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 jalapeño, sliced (optional)
1/4 cup roasted peanuts
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
2 green onions, sliced
Instructions
1. In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, rice vinegar, garlic, and ginger. Add chicken thighs and marinate for 30 minutes to 4 hours.
2. Heat grill or skillet to medium-high and cook chicken 5–6 minutes per side until cooked through. Let rest, then slice.
3. Reserve marinade (before adding chicken) or make a fresh batch for dressing. Whisk in a splash of vinegar and sesame oil.
4. Chop all vegetables: cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, cucumber, green onions, cilantro, and jalapeño.
5. In a bowl or platter, layer the veggies, top with sliced chicken, drizzle with dressing.
6. Garnish with peanuts, sesame seeds, and extra cilantro or jalapeño if desired.
7. Serve fresh and enjoy!
Notes
Make sure to marinate the chicken long enough to absorb full flavor.
Keep veggies dry and crisp by storing with a paper towel if prepping ahead.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilled
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 740mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: easy dinner, chicken salad, healthy lunch, meal prep salad, Asian sesame salad