Mandarin Chicken Salad

This Mandarin Chicken Salad is so delicious! It's filled with crisp fresh veggies and topped with the best sesame ginger dressing.

Who says salads have to be boring? This Mandarin Chicken Salad is bursting with color, crunch, and a sweet citrusy punch. It's a delicious way to get your fruit and veggies in!

Why you'll love this recipe

• Balanced & Nutrient-Rich: Packed with lean protein from chicken, fiber from veggies, and vitamin C from mandarins, it’s a satisfying, wholesome option that fuels your day without weighing you down.
• Bright, Fresh Flavours: The sweet citrus from mandarin oranges paired with a bold ginger dressing delivers a refreshing twist that keeps your healthy lunches exciting all week long.

Ingredients and substitutions

• Green and red cabbage – you can replace the cabbage and carrots with bagged coleslaw mix.
• Carrot – grate your own carrots or buy matchstick carrots.
• Red pepper – use any colour bell pepper or swap them out for your favourite vegetable.
• Mandarin orange – mandarin oranges are the star of this recipe, but you can try using clementines or tangerines if that's what you have on hand.
• Green onions – scallions or chives would also work.
• Cilantro – use parsley instead or leave out altogether.
• Wonton strips – tortilla strips will add the same amount of crunch to the salad.
• Cashews – you can substitute for your favourite nuts like sliced almonds or omit them if you're allergic.
• Sesame seeds – black or white sesame seeds would both work here.

Chicken marinade

• Chicken breasts – chicken cutlets or tenders would work.
• Sesame oil – grapeseed oil or olive oil can be substituted but they won’t have the same flavor as the sesame oil.
• Rice vinegar – white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar would be the next best option.
• Soy sauce – tamari and coconut aminos are great gluten-free substitutions for soy sauce.
• Hoisin sauce – add in some extra soy sauce instead.
• Garlic – freshly minced garlic is best but jarred minced garlic can be used in a pinch.
• Fresh ginger – fresh ginger is best but you can use ground ginger in a pinch.

Dressing

• Sesame oil – see substitution notes in chicken marinade section.
• Rice vinegar – see substitution notes in chicken marinade section.
• Mandarin juice – orange juice or lemon juice would work in a pinch, but it won't have the same taste.
• Soy sauce – see substitution notes in chicken marinade section.
• Tahini – cashew butter or another nut or seed butter can be used in place of tahini.
• Honey – try using agave or maple syrup.
• Fresh ginger – see substitution notes in chicken marinade section.

How to make mandarin chicken salad

Step 1: Marinate chicken.

Mix together marinade and marinate chicken for at least 10 minutes.

Step 2: Cook chicken.

Sauté chicken over medium-high heat until cooked through.

Step 3: Mix dressing.

While chicken is cooking, whisk together all the dressing ingredients.

Step 4: Slice chicken.

Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before you slice it into bite-sized pieces.

Step 5: Prepare vegetables.

Chop all the veggies and toss them together in a large bowl.

Step 6: Serve and enjoy.

Add the chicken, drizzle on the dressing and sprinkle on any toppings.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use canned mandarin oranges instead of fresh?

Fresh mandarin oranges are recommended but if they're not available at the store, you can try using canned mandarins instead. Choose a variety that is packed in water vs. syrup for the best results.

Can I prep this salad ahead of time?

Yes! Cook the chicken, prep all the veggies and mix up the dressing ahead of time. When it's time to serve, you can assemble the salad, pour on the dressing and add any toppings you'd like such as cashews or wonton strips.

Can I use another dressing?

Yes! You can use your favourite store-bought dressing instead of my homemade sesame ginger dressing but make sure to choose something that's both tangy and sweet so it mixes well with the rest of the ingredients. A citrus vinaigrette would be yummy!

Prepping and storing

Make ahead: Marinate and cook the chicken, mix together the dressing and prep the veggies (grate the carrots and slice the cabbage and red pepper) up to 4 days in advance.

Storing: To ensure the best texture, store the toppings and dressings separately from the rest of the salad. It should keep fresh in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Meal prep tools

• Get glass meal prep bowls here for leftovers.
• You can get wonton strips here.
• I like this salad dressing shaker to make homemade dressings easier.