Name: Mandarin Chicken Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced; 6 cups mixed salad greens or shredded romaine; 1 cup mandarin orange segments (drained if canned); 1 cup shredded carrots; 1 cup crispy chow mein noodles; 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted; 3 green onions, sliced; 1/4 cup rice vinegar; 2 tbsp soy sauce; 2 tbsp honey; 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil; 1/4 cup vegetable oil; 1 tsp grated fresh ginger; 1 garlic clove, minced

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This Mandarin Chicken Salad is a refreshing combination of tender chicken, crisp greens, juicy mandarin oranges, and a light, flavourful dressing, creating a vibrant dish suitable for lunches, potlucks, or light dinners.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

It offers a satisfying balance of textures and flavours: sweet mandarins, savoury chicken, crunchy almonds, and a bright dressing. It is versatile, easy to assemble, and visually appealing.

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the salad:
cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
mixed greens
mandarin orange segments
red cabbage, thinly sliced
carrots, shredded
sliced almonds
green onions, chopped

For the dressing:
rice vinegar
soy sauce
sesame oil
olive oil
honey
garlic, minced
ground ginger

Directions

Prepare all vegetables and place them in a large mixing bowl.
Add the chicken, mandarins, almonds, and green onions to the bowl.
Whisk together the dressing ingredients until emulsified.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently.
Serve immediately for best texture.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 4
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time (for chicken): 12–15 minutes if cooking fresh

Variations

Use grilled chicken for a smoky flavour.
Add crispy wonton strips.
Replace mandarins with fresh oranges or grapefruit.
Include avocado for creaminess.
Add toasted sesame seeds for extra crunch.

Storage/Reheating

Store the dressing separately for up to 5 days. The assembled salad should be eaten immediately. Chicken may be reheated gently or served cold.

FAQs

Can I use canned mandarins?

Yes, but drain thoroughly to avoid excess moisture.

Can I prepare the salad ahead?

Prepare ingredients separately and combine just before serving.

Can I substitute the dressing?

Any light citrus or Asian-style dressing works.

Can I use rotisserie chicken?

Yes, it adds excellent flavour.

Should the almonds be toasted?

Toasted almonds provide better flavour and texture.

Can I use iceberg lettuce?

Yes, though mixed greens offer better variety.

Can I make this salad vegetarian?

Replace chicken with tofu or chickpeas.

Does this salad work for meal prep?

Only if stored deconstructed.

Can I add noodles?

Yes, cooked rice noodles or soba work well.

Can I make the dressing sweeter?

Add a small amount of additional honey.

Conclusion

Mandarin Chicken Salad is a wholesome, bright, and perfectly balanced dish. Its fresh ingredients and lively dressing make it a delightful choice for any occasion.

Mandarin Chicken Salad

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A fresh and crunchy mandarin chicken salad featuring tender chicken, crisp greens, sweet mandarin oranges, and a zesty Asian-inspired dressing.

Author: Emma Harper
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 0 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Salad
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American
Diet: Low Fat

Instructions

In a large salad bowl, combine the salad greens, chicken, mandarin oranges, carrots, green onions, almonds, and chow mein noodles.
In a separate bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, vegetable oil, ginger, and garlic until fully blended.
Pour the dressing over the salad just before serving.
Toss gently to combine and coat all ingredients.
Serve immediately to maintain crisp texture.