What goes in Asian sesame salad?

An Asian sesame salad typically includes a mix of crunchy greens like romaine or cabbage, fresh vegetables such as bell pepper, carrots, and green onions, and flavorful toppings like toasted sesame seeds and roasted nuts — most often cashews or almonds. The defining feature is a sesame-based vinaigrette made with rice vinegar, soy sauce or tamari, sesame oil, and fresh ginger. Some versions, like the one featured in this article, also include protein (like marinated chicken) and sweet touches like mandarin oranges or edamame for added balance and color.

What are the ingredients for Asian chicken salad dressing?

The base of a great Asian chicken salad dressing usually includes rice vinegar for tang, toasted sesame oil for nuttiness, honey for sweetness, and soy sauce or tamari for umami. Freshly grated ginger adds brightness, while avocado oil or another neutral oil helps emulsify the mix. Toasted sesame seeds offer texture and enhance the sesame flavor. You can also add a pinch of chili flakes for heat or tahini for creaminess, depending on your taste.

What to eat with Asian sesame dressing?

Asian sesame dressing is wonderfully versatile. Besides being a perfect match for this chicken and cashew salad, it works well drizzled over grain bowls, used as a marinade for grilled meats, or served alongside dumplings, spring rolls, or noodle salads. It's also delicious over roasted vegetables or in wraps. Its balance of tangy, savory, and nutty notes makes it suitable for a wide range of dishes that could use a flavor lift.

What is in Chinese cashew chicken?

Traditional Chinese-style cashew chicken typically features stir-fried chicken pieces combined with roasted cashews and vegetables like bell peppers or water chestnuts, all tossed in a savory brown sauce made with soy sauce, garlic, and sometimes hoisin or oyster sauce. While it’s usually served hot over rice, our salad version draws inspiration from those flavors, transforming them into a lighter, refreshing, cold-served dish that keeps the cashew-chicken pairing front and center.

Asian Sesame Chicken and Cashew Salad – Crunchy, Flavor-Packed, and Satisfying

Description

Asian Sesame Chicken and Cashew Salad: Flavor-packed, high-protein, and easy to prep with sesame vinaigrette and crisp veggies.

Ingredients

For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
For the Sesame Vinaigrette:
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons avocado oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons low sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
- Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
For the Salad:
- 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 4 cups coleslaw mix
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 carrot, grated
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup shelled edamame
- 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 1/3 cup roasted unsalted cashews, chopped
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 cup canned mandarin oranges, drained

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Instructions

Marinate the Chicken:
Combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and pepper in a bag or container. Add chicken and marinate for at least 1 hour.
Cook the Chicken:
Grill or bake the chicken until fully cooked. Let it rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
Prepare the Vinaigrette:
Whisk together all dressing ingredients in a small bowl or jar. Set aside.
Assemble the Salad:
In a large bowl, mix romaine lettuce, coleslaw, bell pepper, carrot, green onions, edamame, and cilantro.
Finish and Serve:
Top with sliced chicken, mandarin oranges, chopped cashews, and sesame seeds. Serve with vinaigrette on the side or drizzled over the top.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Protein-Packed Salads
Method: Grilled or Baked
Cuisine: Asian-inspired