Sesame Chicken Chopped Salad

Gather your ingredients

🍗 Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work well here because they cook quickly.

🍶 Pantry – Low sodium soy sauce and rice vinegar are used in both the marinade and dressing. Brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness to balance the soy sauce and vinegar.

🧂 Seasoning – Garlic powder and ginger powder add flavor to the chicken and dressing without overpowering. A little salt is used in the marinade.

🥄 Oil – We use avocado oil for the dressing. It’s a neutral oil that lets the other flavors shine through. Just a small amount of sesame oil adds that classic toasted sesame flavor.

🥬 Produce – Romaine and/or iceberg lettuce bring crisp texture, while coleslaw mix (with green and red cabbage and carrots) adds crunch with minimal effort. Green onions provide a mild onion flavor.

🥢 Toppings – Sliced almonds, chow mein noodles (or dry rice noodles), and sesame seeds finish the salad with flavor and crunch.

📖 See the recipe card for quantities and preparation.

How to make it

Make the sesame dressing

Add all dressing ingredients to a jar or container with a tight-fitting lid. Shake vigorously until well combined. Refrigerate until ready to use, and shake or stir again before serving.

Toast the almonds (optional but recommended)

Add sliced almonds to a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Toast for 5–6 minutes, shaking the pan often, until golden. Watch closely—they can burn quickly. Remove from heat once done.

Marinate the chicken

Combine all marinade ingredients (except the chicken) in a bowl and stir to dissolve the sugar.

Place the chicken in a large resealable bag or bowl. Add the marinade, seal tightly, and place on a plate or shallow dish in case of leaks. Refrigerate and marinate for at least 2 hours, or up to 8 hours. Turn occasionally to redistribute the marinade.

Grill the chicken

Preheat the grill to moderate heat (about 375°F). Grill the chicken, turning occasionally, until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F at the thickest part. This typically takes about 6–8 minutes per side, depending on thickness. Let it cool slightly, then slice into strips or cubes.

Build and serve the salad

In a large bowl, combine the cabbage, lettuce, carrots, and green onions. Toss until evenly mixed. Divide into four bowls and top each with chicken, toasted almonds, crunchy noodles, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. Drizzle with dressing or serve it on the side.

Substitutions and variations

• Boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be used instead of chicken breasts. They’re a little richer and stay juicy when grilled.
• Make it a no-cook salad by using leftover grilled chicken or rotisserie chicken. You won’t get the same marinade flavor, but the sesame dressing is plenty flavorful and makes this a quick option.
• Use light olive oil in the dressing if you don’t have avocado oil.
• Try peanuts or cashews instead of sliced almonds.

Make ahead and storing

• The marinade can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for 2–3 days in an airtight container.
• The dressing can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Shake or stir before using.
• Toasted almonds can be prepped ahead and stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days at room temperature or up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.
• The chicken can be marinated ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 8 hours.
• Once assembled, the salad is best served immediately, but the components can be stored separately and combined just before serving.
• Store any leftover cooked chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
• For more information on food storage and safety guidelines, visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture and foodsafety.gov.

If you enjoyed this sesame chicken chopped salad, be sure to check out some of our other hearty salads like southwest chicken salad, fiesta taco salad, or chimichurri steak salad—they’re filling, flavorful, and just as satisfying.

Have your own salad inspiration but need a homemade dressing to make it perfect? Try our Caesar dressing, citrus dressing, or creamy French dressing—they’re all easy to make and taste great on just about any salad.