If you are looking for a colorful salad that feels light but still satisfying, this Mandarin Sesame Chicken Crunch Salad is an excellent choice. Juicy seasoned chicken is paired with crisp cabbage, romaine, carrots, cucumbers, mandarin oranges, green onions, crunchy almonds, and crispy wonton strips, then tossed with a sweet-savory sesame dressing.
The combination of tender chicken, juicy citrus, crunchy vegetables, toasted sesame flavor, and crisp toppings gives every bite plenty of contrast. It works especially well for lunch, meal prep, warm-weather dinners, or whenever you want a fresh chicken salad that feels more exciting than a basic bowl of greens.
The homemade sesame dressing brings everything together with soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, ginger, and garlic. You can also make the salad more substantial with edamame, avocado, extra chicken, or noodles.
Why You’ll Love This Mandarin Sesame Chicken Crunch Salad
The salad combines sweet, savory, tangy, and nutty flavors in one bowl.
Mandarin oranges add juicy sweetness that pairs beautifully with sesame chicken.
Cabbage and carrots stay crisp, making the salad especially good for meal prep.
Chicken adds plenty of protein and turns the salad into a complete meal.
Almonds and wonton strips create the crunchy texture that makes this salad so satisfying.
The dressing can be prepared ahead and refrigerated until needed.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Salad
- 4 cups shredded romaine lettuce
- 3 cups finely shredded green cabbage
- 1 cup shredded red cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 large cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 can mandarin oranges, about 15 ounces, drained well
- 4 green onions, thinly sliced
- ½ cup sliced or slivered almonds
- 1 cup crispy wonton strips
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro, optional
For the Sesame Dressing
- ¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger
- 2 garlic cloves, finely grated or minced
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon sriracha, optional
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 2–3 tablespoons water, as needed
Optional Add-Ins
- 1 cup shelled edamame
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1 cup cooked chilled noodles
- ½ cup chopped cashews
- ½ cup sliced red bell pepper
- 1 cup chopped broccoli slaw
How to Make Mandarin Sesame Chicken Crunch Salad
1. Prepare the Chicken
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
If using large chicken breasts, slice them horizontally into thinner cutlets so they cook more evenly.
2. Season the Chicken
In a bowl, combine:
- Olive oil
- Soy sauce
- Sesame oil
- Honey
- Garlic powder
- Ginger
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
Add the chicken and turn until evenly coated.
3. Heat the Skillet
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Let it become hot before adding the chicken.
4. Cook the Chicken
Add the chicken in a single layer.
Cook for approximately 4–5 minutes on the first side.
5. Turn the Chicken
Flip and cook for another 4–6 minutes, depending on thickness.
6. Check Doneness
Chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) internally.
7. Rest
Transfer the chicken to a cutting board.
Let it rest for approximately 5–10 minutes.
8. Slice
Slice the rested chicken into thin strips or bite-size pieces.
Set aside.
9. Make the Sesame Dressing
In a medium bowl or jar, combine:
- Soy sauce
- Rice vinegar
- Honey
- Sesame oil
- Olive oil
- Lime juice
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Dijon mustard
- Sriracha, if using
- Sesame seeds
10. Whisk Until Smooth
Whisk thoroughly until the dressing looks glossy and combined.
11. Adjust the Consistency
Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dressing reaches your preferred consistency.
12. Taste the Dressing
Adjust as needed.
For more sweetness, add honey.
For more acidity, add rice vinegar or lime juice.
For more heat, add sriracha.
13. Prepare the Romaine
Wash and thoroughly dry the romaine.
Chop or shred it into bite-size pieces.
14. Prepare the Cabbage
Finely shred the green and red cabbage.
Thin cabbage works best because it mixes more evenly with the other ingredients.
15. Prepare the Carrots
Use shredded carrots or cut them into thin matchsticks.
16. Prepare the Cucumber
Slice the cucumber thinly.
If it contains many watery seeds, remove some before slicing.
17. Drain the Mandarins
Drain the mandarin oranges thoroughly.
Gently pat them with paper towels if necessary.
Too much syrup or juice can water down the dressing.
18. Toast the Almonds
For extra flavor, place the almonds in a dry skillet over medium-low heat.
Toast for approximately 2–4 minutes, stirring frequently.
Remove once fragrant and lightly golden.
19. Combine the Greens
In a very large salad bowl, add:
- Romaine
- Green cabbage
- Red cabbage
- Carrots
- Cucumber
- Green onions
20. Add Optional Vegetables
Add edamame, red pepper, broccoli slaw, or other vegetables if using.
21. Add Part of the Dressing
Drizzle approximately half of the sesame dressing over the vegetables.
22. Toss
Toss thoroughly until the greens are lightly coated.
Add more dressing as necessary.
Avoid adding all of it immediately because you can always add more.
23. Add the Chicken
Arrange the sliced chicken over the salad.
24. Add Mandarin Oranges
Scatter the mandarin pieces over the top.
Fold them in gently so they do not break apart.
25. Add Almonds
Sprinkle the toasted almonds over the salad.
26. Add Wonton Strips
Add the crispy wonton strips immediately before serving.
This keeps them crunchy.
27. Add Sesame Seeds
Sprinkle sesame seeds over the top.
28. Add Cilantro
Finish with fresh cilantro if using.
29. Add More Dressing
Drizzle with additional sesame dressing as desired.
30. Serve
Serve immediately while the vegetables and crunchy toppings are at their best.
What to Serve With Mandarin Sesame Chicken Crunch Salad
This salad is satisfying enough to serve as a complete lunch or dinner.
If you want to build a larger meal, serve it with:
- Steamed rice
- Fried rice
- Sesame noodles
- Vegetable spring rolls
- Dumplings
- Edamame
- Miso soup
For a lighter combination, pair it with:
- Cucumber salad
- Steamed broccoli
- Roasted asparagus
- Fresh fruit
Tips for the Best Mandarin Sesame Chicken Crunch Salad
Dry the Greens Thoroughly
Water left on lettuce or cabbage can dilute the dressing.
Drain the Mandarin Oranges Well
Excess liquid makes the salad watery.
Let the Chicken Rest
Resting helps the chicken stay juicy when sliced.
Keep the Wonton Strips Separate
Do not add them until immediately before serving.
Toast the Almonds
A few minutes in a dry skillet makes their flavor much stronger.
Dress Gradually
Start with half the dressing and add more as needed.
Slice Everything Thinly
Thinly shredded vegetables make the salad easier to toss and eat.
Use Fresh Ginger and Garlic
They give the sesame dressing much more flavor than dried seasonings alone.
Easy Recipe Variations
Spicy Mandarin Chicken Salad
Add:
- Extra sriracha
- Chili crisp
- Red pepper flakes
- Sliced jalapeños
High-Protein Version
Increase the chicken to 2 pounds and add 1–2 cups shelled edamame.
Avocado Mandarin Salad
Add one diced avocado immediately before serving.
Cashew Chicken Crunch Salad
Replace the almonds with roasted cashews.
Noodle Chicken Salad
Add cooked and cooled:
- Ramen noodles
- Rice noodles
- Soba noodles
Sesame Shrimp Salad
Replace the chicken with cooked shrimp.
Cook shrimp only until opaque and just cooked through.
Crispy Chicken Version
Use breaded crispy chicken tenders instead of grilled or pan-seared chicken.
Slice them just before serving so the crust stays crisp.
Vegetarian Mandarin Crunch Salad
Omit the chicken and add:
- Edamame
- Crispy tofu
- Extra almonds or cashews
Meal Prep Instructions
This salad works very well for meal prep if you keep the components separate.
Divide into containers:
- Cabbage
- Romaine
- Carrots
- Cucumber
- Green onions
- Chicken
Store mandarins separately if possible.
Keep the sesame dressing in small sealed containers.
Pack almonds and wonton strips separately so they stay crisp.
Add everything together immediately before eating.
How to Store Leftovers
Undressed salad components can be refrigerated for approximately 3–4 days.
Cooked chicken can also be refrigerated for 3–4 days.
The dressing can generally be prepared several days ahead and refrigerated in a tightly sealed container.
Shake or whisk before using because the ingredients may separate.
Once fully dressed, the salad is best eaten the same day because the greens and wonton strips will soften.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes. Use approximately 3 cups shredded or chopped rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut.
Can I use fresh mandarins?
Absolutely. Fresh mandarin or clementine segments are excellent.
Can I use canned mandarins?
Yes. Drain them very well before adding them.
Can I make the dressing ahead?
Yes. Prepare it ahead and refrigerate in a sealed jar. Shake well before serving.
What can I use instead of wonton strips?
Try crispy chow mein noodles, crushed ramen noodles, toasted tortilla strips, or extra nuts.
Can I make this salad spicy?
Yes. Add sriracha, chili crisp, red pepper flakes, or sliced jalapeño.
Can I make it without nuts?
Absolutely. Omit the almonds and add sunflower seeds or extra wonton strips if desired.
How do I stop the salad from becoming soggy?
Keep the dressing, mandarins, and crunchy toppings separate until close to serving time.
Final Thoughts
This Mandarin Sesame Chicken Crunch Salad combines juicy seasoned chicken, crisp cabbage, romaine, carrots, cucumber, sweet mandarin oranges, toasted almonds, sesame seeds, and crunchy wonton strips with a homemade sesame-ginger dressing.
The key is keeping the vegetables dry and crisp, draining the mandarins thoroughly, letting the chicken rest before slicing, and adding the crunchy toppings only at the very end.
Serve it as a fresh lunch, easy family dinner, or meal-prep salad for a colorful dish with the perfect balance of sweet citrus, savory chicken, nutty sesame flavor, and irresistible crunch.