Nut-Free Chinese Chicken Salad

Bright, fresh, and allergy-friendly, this Nut-Free Chinese Chicken Salad is a vibrant twist on a classic favorite. Packed with tender shredded chicken, crunchy romaine lettuce, crisp red cabbage, sweet mandarin oranges, and a touch of fresh cilantro, this salad brings a flavorful medley to your table without any nuts. A light and tangy homemade sesame-ginger dressing ties it all together, delivering just the right balance of savory and sweet in every bite. Perfect for meal prep or a quick, satisfying dinner, this easy 20-minute recipe is a must-try for anyone seeking a nut-free alternative to the traditional Chinese chicken salad. Garnished with toasted sesame seeds, it's as visually stunning as it is delicious.

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pieces boneless chicken breasts
• 2 cups romaine lettuce
• 1 cup red cabbage
• 1 cup carrots
• 3 stalks green onions
• 1 cup canned mandarin oranges
• 0.25 cup fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Start by preparing the chicken. Season the boneless chicken breasts with salt and black pepper on both sides.

Step 2

Heat the vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side or until cooked through and no longer pink in the center.

Step 3

Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes. Once cooled, shred the chicken using two forks.

Step 4

While the chicken is cooking, prepare the vegetables. Thinly slice the romaine lettuce, chop the red cabbage, and julienne (or grate) the carrots. Thinly slice the green onions.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, lettuce, cabbage, carrots, green onions, canned mandarin oranges, and fresh cilantro.

Step 6

For the dressing, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, minced ginger, and minced garlic in a small bowl until well combined.

Step 7

Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients in the large mixing bowl and toss everything together until the salad is well coated with the dressing.

Step 8

Garnish the salad with toasted sesame seeds before serving.

Step 9

Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving. Enjoy your fresh and nut-free Chinese chicken salad!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1068 grams (1068.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1160

Total Fat 47.30g	61%
Saturated Fat 8.40g	42%
Polyunsaturated Fat 14.50g
Cholesterol 296mg	99%
Sodium 3921mg	170%
Total Carbohydrate 67.70g	25%
Dietary Fiber 12.50g	45%
Total Sugars 45.90g
Protein 119.10g	238%

Vitamin D 17IU	87%
Calcium 359mg	28%
Iron 9mg	49%
Potassium 2274mg	48%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 36.3%

Protein: 40.6%

Carbs: 23.1%