Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad is the dish that proves a salad can genuinely be the most exciting thing on your table rather than an afterthought side. Shredded red and green cabbage joined by green onion, fresh cilantro, shredded carrots, julienned red bell pepper, and a touch of jalapeño for brightness, all tossed in a sesame ginger dressing that delivers exactly the right balance of sweetness and tang, then topped with juicy grilled sesame chicken, toasted almonds, roasted cashews, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
Every single bite delivers a genuinely satisfying crunch alongside savory, sweet, and tangy notes that work together beautifully, making this salad feel like a complete and exciting meal rather than a side dish. This Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad has become one of the most requested healthy main dish recipes here at Recipes Charming, and Charlie your culinary guide is genuinely excited to share why this colorful salad consistently earns rave reviews.
What makes this salad so wonderfully effective is the genuinely thoughtful balance of textures built into every component. The rainbow of crunchy raw vegetables contrasts beautifully against the tender grilled chicken, while the toasted nuts add yet another satisfying layer of crunch that keeps every single bite interesting.
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Why You Will Love This Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad Recipe
This salad earns a permanent place in the healthy meal rotation for so many excellent reasons. First, it is genuinely packed with a rainbow of crunchy vegetables, tossed with a homemade sesame ginger dressing and topped with juicy grilled sesame chicken, creating a combination of flavors and textures that is anything but boring.
Second, this salad delivers the perfect amount of sweetness from the dressing and marinade alongside savory elements from the grilled chicken and toasted nuts, making it genuinely satisfying as either a hearty lunch or dinner throughout the week.
Third, this recipe is wonderfully easy to customize with your favorite proteins and vegetables, whether you are cooking for a vegetarian guest or simply want to switch things up with shrimp or salmon instead of chicken. For more easy and healthy salad recipes like this one, explore the Recipes Charming homepage where Charlie has gathered a wonderful collection of vibrant and satisfying recipes for every healthy lifestyle.
Ingredients Needed for This Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad Recipe
For the chicken:
- Grilled Sesame Chicken your preferred marinade and grilling method
For the salad:
- 4 cups shredded green cabbage
- 2 cups shredded red cabbage
- ½ cup diced green onion
- ¾ cup freshly diced cilantro
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 red bell pepper thinly julienned
- 1 jalapeño seeded and diced
For the dressing:
- 1 batch sesame ginger dressing your preferred recipe or store-bought
For serving:
- ⅓ cup toasted sliced almonds
- ⅓ cup roasted cashew halves
- Sesame seeds
- Extra cilantro
- Extra green onion
- A few jalapeño slices
- Optional: crispy wonton strips
How to Make This Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad Recipe
Step 1: Marinate the chicken using your preferred grilled sesame chicken recipe, allowing it to absorb the marinade flavors fully before cooking.
Step 2: Prepare the sesame ginger dressing and set it aside while you assemble the rest of the salad components.
Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the shredded green and red cabbage, green onion, cilantro, shredded carrots, julienned bell pepper, and diced jalapeño. Pour the prepared dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to combine and coat all the vegetables evenly.
Step 4: Cover the dressed salad and set it aside while you grill the chicken according to your chosen recipe, allowing the flavors in the salad to meld together briefly.
Step 5: Once the chicken is fully cooked, slice or chop it into bite-sized pieces ready for serving on top of the salad.
Step 6: Transfer the dressed salad to a large platter. Top with the grilled sesame chicken, then garnish with toasted sliced almonds, roasted cashews, a sprinkle of sesame seeds, extra cilantro, a few jalapeño slices, and additional chopped green onion. Add crispy wonton strips if desired for extra crunch.
How to Serve This Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad Recipe
Serve this salad on a large, colorful platter that showcases the vibrant mix of red and green cabbage, carrots, and bell pepper. This salad is genuinely substantial enough to serve as a hearty main dish for four, or as a lighter side dish for six when paired with other Asian-inspired dishes. For an even heartier meal, wrap the entire salad in a large burrito-sized tortilla, or toss in cooked rice or ramen noodles for added substance.
How to Store This Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad Recipe
Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 to 3 days. If preparing ahead of time, chop all the vegetables 1 to 2 days before serving and keep the dressing stored separately in the fridge, combining everything just before serving for the freshest possible crunch and flavor.
Tips to Make This Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad Recipe
Toasting your own almonds at home genuinely elevates this salad, and you can do this either on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring occasionally for 2 to 5 minutes, or in a 350°F oven for 6 to 8 minutes, watching carefully so they do not burn. Prepping all your vegetables and the dressing 1 to 2 days ahead of time makes assembling this salad genuinely quick and effortless on the day you plan to serve it.
Helpful Notes for This Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad Recipe
The combination of red and green cabbage in this recipe is intentional, providing both visual contrast and slightly different textures and flavors that make the salad more interesting than using a single cabbage variety alone. Shredded carrots, whether bagged or cut into matchsticks yourself, contribute excellent crunch alongside the cabbage, so do not skip this component even if it seems minor.
Variation of This Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad Recipe
For a vegan or vegetarian version, simply omit the chicken entirely or replace it with cooked cubed tofu, a can of rinsed and drained chickpeas, or cooked edamame, all of which work beautifully with the existing sesame ginger dressing. For a different protein option, this salad is equally wonderful with grilled shrimp or salmon, marinated the same way as the chicken for a consistent flavor profile throughout.
FAQs About This Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad Recipe
Can I make this Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad vegan?
Yes. Simply omit the chicken or replace it with cooked cubed tofu, a can of rinsed and drained chickpeas, or cooked edamame. All of these substitutions work beautifully with the existing sesame ginger dressing without requiring any other recipe changes.
Can I prep this salad ahead of time?
Yes. Chop all the vegetables 1 to 2 days ahead of serving and store them in the refrigerator. You can also make the dressing in advance and store it separately, combining everything just before serving for the best possible texture and freshness.
What other proteins work well in this salad besides chicken?
This salad is genuinely wonderful with grilled shrimp or salmon, marinated the same way you would marinate the chicken. For plant-based options, cubed tofu, chickpeas, or edamame all work beautifully as well.
How long does Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad keep in the fridge?
Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 to 3 days. The cabbage holds up reasonably well, though the salad is genuinely best enjoyed within the first day or two for the most satisfying crunch.
Conclusion
This Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad is a genuinely vibrant and satisfying dish that proves a salad can absolutely be the star of the meal. Packed with crunchy vegetables, juicy grilled chicken, and a perfectly balanced sesame ginger dressing, this is a recipe you will return to again and again. Share your colorful platter with the Recipes Charming community! Discover more easy and healthy salad recipes at Recipes Charming and follow us on Pinterest for daily inspiration from Charlie. Happy cooking!
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Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad Vibrant Fresh and Loaded With Crunch
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Sesame Chicken Cabbage Crunch Salad with shredded red and green cabbage, carrots, bell pepper, and jalapeno tossed in sesame ginger dressing, topped with juicy grilled sesame chicken, toasted almonds, and cashews. A vibrant crunchy main dish salad.
Ingredients
Grilled Sesame Chicken your preferred marinade and method
4 cups shredded green cabbage
2 cups shredded red cabbage
1/2 cup diced green onion
3/4 cup freshly diced cilantro
1 cup shredded carrots
1 red bell pepper thinly julienned
1 jalapeno seeded and diced
1 batch sesame ginger dressing
1/3 cup toasted sliced almonds
1/3 cup roasted cashew halves
Sesame seeds for garnish
Extra cilantro and green onion for garnish
A few jalapeno slices for garnish
Optional crispy wonton strips
Instructions
1. Marinate and grill the sesame chicken according to preferred recipe
2. Prepare the sesame ginger dressing and set aside
3. Combine cabbage green onion cilantro carrots bell pepper and jalapeno in large bowl
4. Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat evenly
5. Cover and set aside while chicken finishes cooking
6. Slice or chop cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces
7. Transfer salad to platter top with chicken and garnish with almonds cashews sesame seeds cilantro green onion and jalapeno slices
8. Serve immediately
Notes
Prep vegetables and dressing 1 to 2 days ahead for quick assembly.
Toast your own almonds for the best flavor either stovetop or oven method.
Store dressing separately if making ahead to keep vegetables crisp.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course Salad
- Method: Grilling and Tossing
- Cuisine: Asian Inspired American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: sesame chicken cabbage crunch salad, sesame chicken salad recipe, cabbage crunch salad, sesame ginger dressing salad, healthy chicken salad