A rainbow of vegetables make up this Sesame Chicken Salad, which is then dressed with my favourite homemade sesame ginger dressing and topped with juicy grilled sesame chicken. After finalising the recipe last month, the crew and I had this salad for lunch, and omg, we were OBSESSED with that incredible crunch and all of the wonderful flavours and sensations.In addition to beautiful savoury components from the grilled chicken and toasted almonds, it has just the right amount of sweetness from the sauce and marinade. Don’t forget the jalapeo’s burst of heat and the ideal quantity of cilantro and green onion freshness! Enjoy the ideal substantial lunch or dinner any day of the week with this salad, which is so simple to personalise with your favourite meat and plant-based proteins.

Ingredients in this sesame chicken salad

This gorgeous salad is filled with a rainbow of crunchy veggies, super flavorful grilled sesame chicken, and my go-to sesame ginger dressing. Here’s everything you’ll need to make it:

Chicken: we’re using my new Grilled Sesame Chicken and adding it straight to the salad! See below for more protein options.
Veggies: The shredded red and green cabbage, green onion, cilantro, carrots, red bell pepper, and jalapeo are all abundant in vegetables in this sesame chicken salad. So vibrant and fresh.
Dressing: You’ll be drizzling everything with my renowned Sesame Ginger Dressing, which has the ideal harmony of sharpness and sweetness.
To serve, sprinkle the salad with additional roasted cashews, sesame seeds, extra cilantro, green onion, and jalapeo slices, as well as some sliced, toasted almonds (see out how to toast them below!). If I have any, I also like to add crispy wonton strips.

Can I make it vegan or vegetarian?
Yes! Making a vegan sesame chicken salad is as simple as leaving out the chicken or substituting:

Cubed tofu (click here to learn how to grill tofu!)
a drained and washed can of chickpeas
prepared edamame

More modifications you can make to this sesame chicken salad
You are welcome to combine and contrast the items to really personalise this salad. Here is what I can suggest:

Try a different dressing: I believe this healthy peanut dressing with Thai influences would be ideal.
For wonderful morsels of sweetness, feel free to add fruits like pineapple, mango, or mandarin oranges.
Choose your vegetables wisely because you can pretty much use any kind of vegetable in this salad. It would be excellent with finely chopped broccoli, shredded brussels sprouts, or even kale.
To keep the salad nut-free, simply leave out the almonds and cashews.
Change up your protein: grilled prawns or salmon would be wonderful in this salad! You are welcome to marinade either of them in the same manner as the chicken.
Want to add even more heartiness to the sesame chicken salad? Make it a wrap. Enjoy it as a wrap by enclosing everything in a tortilla.

How to make almonds toast
There are two simple methods for toasting almonds at home for this salad: on the hob or in the oven.

Stovetop method: Almonds should be lightly browned for 2 to 5 minutes on a hob, turning occasionally throughout that time. Add sliced almonds to a skillet. Before including them in the salad, remove from the heat and let them cool.
Oven method: Set the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Almond slices should be arranged in a single layer on a baking pan. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring once halfway through baking, until aromatic and golden brown. Nuts should not be burned, so watch out!

Make it a noodle party
Additionally excellent with cooked rice or ramen noodles mixed right in, this sesame chicken salad! If you want the noodles to stand out and absorb up all of that delectable dressing, you might want to slightly lessen the amount of chopped vegetables.

Prep this salad ahead of time
To save time, I suggest cutting up all of your vegetables a day or two before serving or eating the salad so you can quickly put it together. The dressing can be prepared up to two days in advance and kept in a separate container in the refrigerator.

Storing tips
Any leftover sesame chicken salad can be kept in the refrigerator for up to two to three days in an airtight container.

CONTENT CREDIT: Elgin hall