Description

Chicken Coleslaw Salad with Ginger Sesame Dressing is a vibrant, crunchy, and refreshing salad perfect for lunch, light dinners, or potlucks. I love making it with shredded cabbage, tender chicken, juicy mandarin oranges, and a bright, gingery sesame dressing that brings it all together. It’s a simple, fuss-free recipe that still feels special with its mix of textures and flavors. Sometimes called an Asian Chicken Slaw or Ginger Sesame Chicken Salad, it’s easy to adapt with stabilized dressings or homemade ones. I’ve tested it with both pre-cooked and freshly roasted chicken, and each version works beautifully. Among fresh salad options, Chicken Coleslaw Salad with Ginger Sesame Dressing stands out for its balanced taste, make-ahead friendliness, and colorful presentation—it absolutely deserves a place in your go-to salad lineup.

Ingredients

1 cup shredded cooked chicken

2 cups green cabbage, finely sliced

1 cup red cabbage, finely sliced

1 cup shredded carrots

1 cup mandarin orange segments (drained if canned)

1/3 cup dried cranberries

1/3 cup sliced toasted almonds

1 tablespoon black sesame seeds

3 tablespoons rice vinegar

2 tablespoons sesame oil

1 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger

1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the green cabbage, red cabbage, shredded carrots, dried cranberries, and toasted almonds.

2. Shred the cooked chicken using your hands and layer it on top of the vegetables.

3. In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, grated ginger, and soy sauce until smooth.

4. Taste the dressing and adjust sweetness or ginger level if needed.

5. Drizzle the dressing slowly over the salad mixture.

6. Gently toss everything together using wooden spoons or your hands.

7. Add mandarin orange segments, gently folding them into the salad.

8. Sprinkle black sesame seeds on top as a finishing touch.

9. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

10. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Notes

Use rotisserie chicken for convenience or roasted breast for extra flavor.

Toast the almonds lightly in a dry skillet for 2–3 minutes to deepen their flavor.

Always taste the dressing before adding—it should be balanced, not overly gingery or sweet.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: No-cook
Cuisine: Asian-inspired

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
Calories: 310
Sugar: 11g
Sodium: 390mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 2.5g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 18g
Cholesterol: 45mg

Keywords: Chicken coleslaw salad, ginger sesame dressing, mandarin salad