Name: Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced); 4 cups mixed greens (spinach, arugula, romaine); 1 cup shredded carrots; 1 cup red cabbage, thinly sliced; ½ cup dried cranberries; ⅓ cup sliced almonds or chopped peanuts; 2 green onions, chopped; 3 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free); 2 tbsp rice vinegar; 1 tbsp sesame oil; 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup; 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated; 1 garlic clove, minced; Salt and pepper to taste

Description

This Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad is a fresh, vibrant, and nutritious dish combining tender cooked chicken, mixed greens, crisp vegetables, and crunchy almonds or peanuts. Tossed with a flavorful homemade dressing featuring soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, ginger, and garlic, it offers a delightful balance of sweet, tangy, and savory notes. Ready in just 10 minutes, this salad is perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner and can be enjoyed immediately or chilled for enhanced flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced)
4 cups mixed greens (spinach, arugula, romaine)
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup red cabbage, thinly sliced
½ cup dried cranberries
⅓ cup sliced almonds or chopped peanuts
2 green onions, chopped

Dressing Ingredients

3 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
2 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
1 garlic clove, minced
Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

Prepare the Salad – In a large bowl, combine the mixed greens, shredded carrots, red cabbage, dried cranberries, almonds or peanuts, and chopped green onions. Toss gently to mix all the fresh ingredients evenly.
Add the Chicken – Add the shredded or diced cooked chicken to the bowl with the salad ingredients. Toss gently again to combine the chicken thoroughly with the vegetables and nuts.
Make the Dressing – In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey (or maple syrup), grated ginger, and minced garlic. Season the dressing with salt and pepper to taste, whisking until all ingredients are well blended.
Dress the Salad – Pour the prepared dressing over the salad bowl. Toss the entire salad gently but thoroughly until all components are evenly coated with the flavorful dressing.
Serve – Serve the salad immediately for freshness, or refrigerate it for up to 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld together for a richer taste.

Notes

You can substitute chicken with tofu or another protein for a vegetarian option.
For a gluten-free version, use tamari instead of regular soy sauce.
Adjust the sweetness of the dressing by varying the amount of honey or maple syrup.
Add avocado or cucumber for additional creaminess and crunch.
This salad is best consumed within 2 hours if refrigerated to maintain the crispness of the greens.