Sesame Ginger Orange Chicken Salad

This sesame ginger orange chicken salad is bright, flavorful, and full of crunch! Napa cabbage, orange slices, avocado, orange chicken, and wonton strips in a simple vinaigrette. This salad is perfect for summer and is sure to be a crowd favorite. Easily customize to fit to everyone’s liking or serve buffet style and let everyone create their own salad! The possibilities for this salad are endless, see below for more fun topping ideas.

This salad reminds me of the classic ramen noodle cabbage salad that was always at potlucks or reunions. It is crunchy, flavorful, and full of fresh ingredients. Looking to make this salad more guilt-free, try using grilled chicken instead of fried and add slivered almonds instead of wontons. Steak and salmon also go really well in this recipe.

Highlights of the orange chicken salad and why you’ll love it:

• Fresh ingredients: loaded with fresh cabbage, oranges, avocado, and herb this salad is light yet hearty. The freshness of the veggies pairs great with the crispy orange chicken.
• Can be made ahead: making this salad for an event or gathering? Cut down on the stress and make this salad ahead of time by prepping fresh ingredients, dressing, and wontons. Keep everything separate and toss to combine before service. See FAQ’s below for how to make this salad ahead of time!
• Filling: this is definitely a main dish salad. Between the fiber in the fresh veggies, the rich avocado, and the breaded chicken this salad will keep you full and satisfied. Adding additional protein rich food like almonds or cashews can make this even more filling.
• Easy vinaigrette dressing: the sesame soy vinaigrette used couldn’t be easier and its made with some pantry staples. See below for ingredients substitutions if you don’t have everything listed there may be a substitution you do have!
• Family favorite: kids and adults will love this recipe. Serve buffet style will toppings and dressing on the side for picky eaters.

Grocery Store List and Substitution’s:

• Napa cabbage: I like Napa cabbage for this recipe, it has the crunch of cabbage but a mild taste. Regular green or purple cabbage can be used as well.
• Navel oranges: any kind of orange works here, if in a pinch use canned mandarin oranges in juice.
• Avocado: nothing beats the creaminess of the avocado in this recipe, omit this if you would like.
• Wonton Strips: I prefer to make my own, I just slice wonton wrappers thinly and fry in a little avocado oil or in the air fryer. Store-bought strips will work as well. If you don’t want wonton strips but want to add a little crunch, slivered almonds or chopped cashews will work.
• Extra virgin olive oil: avocado oil or sesame oil can be used instead of olive oil.
• Red pepper flakes: add as many or as few as you’d like.
• Ginger: I prefer to use fresh ginger and grate it finely. You can buy frozen ground ginger cubes or ginger paste. I don’t recommend using ground ginger in the dressing.
• Soy sauce: if you prefer to stay away from soy or gluten, use coconut aminos or tamari.
• Sesame seeds: white or black sesame seeds work here, they add a hint of flavor and texture. Not necessary but I like the addition.
• Fresh herbs: I like to add fresh basil and Thai basil. Cilantro, oregano, or sliced green onions can be added for extra flavor.
• Orange chicken: homemade or store-bought chicken works. Plain grilled chicken can be used as well. Or try these similar ideas, Copycat Panda Express Air Fryer Orange Chicken, Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet And Sour Chicken Recipe.

How to Make the Sesame Ginger Orange Chicken Salad (with step by step instructions):

Let’s talk a little about how to make this orange chicken salad (The printable instructions are in the recipe card below.)

Quick overview:

• Prep veggies.
• Fry wonton strips.
• Prepare dressing.
• Assemble salad.

1: Firstly, wash and prep cabbage, oranges, avocado, and any fresh herbs.

2: Secondly, prepare orange chicken according to package instruction or make homemade orange chicken. Then, chop chicken into bite sized pieces.

3: Thirdly, thinly slice wonton wrappers into strips.

4: Fry in shallow avocado or vegetable oil for 15-25 seconds or until golden brown. Following, remove from oil, salt, and let sit on a paper towel lined tray. Use store-bought wontons if desired.

5: Finally, prepare vinaigrette by whisking the ingredients together or shake together in a mason jar.

6: Combine all salad ingredients and toss in the dressing until evenly coated.

Extra topping ideas:

• Chili oil or chili crunch
• Chopped cashews or almonds
• Shredded carrots
• Sesame clusters (homemade or store-bought)
• Sliced cucumbers
• Grilled steak, salmon, or shrimp

If you like this Sesame Ginger Orange Chicken Salad, you’ll love these other easy recipes…

BLT Pasta Salad with Avocado & Mozzarella

The Cheesecake Factory Copycat Chopped Salad Recipe

Copycat Zoe’s Kitchen Pasta Salad Recipe

Spicy Chopped Thai Chicken Salad (Panera Inspired)

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill BLT Salad Recipe

Tools I used for this easy chicken salad recipe:

• Serving Platter – a great neutral option for serving salads or pastas.
• Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls – perfect for mixing the salad, I love a set of nesting bowls to save space on storage.
• Pint Mason Jars – perfect for shaking up salad dressings, any extra dressing can easily be stored.

I love the contrast between the warm orange chicken and the chilled cabbage. Creamy avocado pairs well with the salty, crispy wonton strips and everything gets tossed together in a flavor packed soy dressing. If you like heat, top with a heavy drizzle of chili oil or some chili crunch.

Recipe FAQ’s:

Can I make my chopped salad ahead of time?

Yes! Prep the cabbage, orange slices, and herbs – store separately. Prep the dressing in a mason jar or airtight container and store in the fridge until service, shake to recombine. Homemade wonton strips can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight bag once cooled. When it is time to serve the salad, cook orange chicken and slice the avocado. Toss everything together and enjoy!

What dressing is used on this cabbage salad?

This homemade dressing is a simple mixture of olive oil, rice vinegar, red pepper flakes, fresh ginger, sesame seeds, soy sauce, salt, and pepper.

What is orange chicken made of?

Orange chicken is made of breaded chicken, deep fried and coated in orange sauce containing sugar, orange juice, orange zest, garlic, vinegar, soy sauce, and ginger.

What can I serve with my sesame orange chicken salad?

This salad goes well with small bites like these Crispy Oven Baked Shrimp & Cream Cheese Rangoons or Frozen Spring Rolls in the Air Fryer as well as heartier dishes like this Easy PF Chang’s Ginger Broccoli Chicken Recipe, Easy Teriyaki Chicken Skewers in the Air Fryer, and Air Fryer Sweet And Sour Chicken Recipe!