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Sesame Ginger Orange Chicken Salad. With lots and lots of crispy, salty, fried wontons. This yummy Asian-inspired salad is a mix of fresh greens, chicken, juicy sweet oranges, creamy avocado, and delicious crunchy nuts, all topped with those crispy wontons. Everything is tossed together with my favorite toasted sesame and ginger salad dressing. I know you’ll find it delicious. This orange chicken salad recipe is a wonderful mix of savory, sweet, and salty. It’s no-cook, fast, easy to toss together, bright and colorful, plus, of course, totally delicious!
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It’s been a minute since I shared a bright and fresh colorful salad. I thought this salad would be perfect to break up all the cozy soups and pasta. It’s all about having a nice balance!
As I work away on this post, I’m in New York, but once this post goes live, I’ll be home and back in the kitchen. After a week of eating out, I could not be more excited to cook for myself again. It’s cold here, so I’m still craving warming foods, but adding a bright salad to the mix is a must.
Especially one loaded with so much vitamin C!
I’ve wanted to make a Chinese chicken salad for a while now. Whenever I head to a Chinese restaurant, it’s always the first thing I order. I’ve always enjoyed the savory, sweet, tangy, and salty flavors.
I hesitated because I wasn’t sure how to make the salad feel like my own. But then, I started making fried wonton strips for my brother Red over the holidays. Ever since I’ve been regularly adding them to so many recipes. I’m loving them!
Obviously, a Mandarin chicken salad is the perfect fit for homemade crispy wontons!
Here are details
I like to start with the dressing. It’s a mix of sesame oil, toasted sesame oil, honey, tamari, fresh ginger, garlic, orange zest, and toasted sesame seeds.
Honestly, this has become one of my favorite dressings. The toasted oil, honey, and tamari make it lick-the-spoon-good. And the ginger gives it a nice spicy yet fresh kick. If you love any of my Asian sauces, you’ll enjoy this!
The wontons are incredibly easy to make. All you need are oil and wonton wrappers. I love to use avocado oil or olive oil when frying.
Cut the wonton wrappers into strips, then do a shallow fry in the oil until crisp. It only takes a minute and is super easy. Then I’ll usually sprinkle them with flaky salt.
And on to the actual salad…in a large bowl cabbage, greens, chicken, fresh oranges (or mandarin oranges), avocado, and lots of dressing. The dressing really is key, it’s what brings in all the flavor. Then finish the salad with so many of those fried wontons, they are delicious!
If you’re looking to switch up your chicken salad, this is a great option for lunch or dinner! Enjoy this salad on its own or try serving it with your favorite dumpling soup or some Sesame Ginger Dumplings. Yum!
Looking for other dinner ideas?
Crockpot White Chicken Chili Burrito Bowls
Red’s Favorite Spicy Tuna Poke Bowls
Skillet Chicken Adobo with Coconut Rice
30 Minute Pineapple Chicken with Coconut Rice
Weeknight Sesame Teriyaki Chicken with Ginger Rice
Lastly, if you make Sesame Ginger Orange Chicken Salad, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Sesame Ginger Orange Chicken Salad…with crispy fried wontons
Ingredients
Sesame Ginger Dressing
- 1/3 cup sesame oil
- 1/4 cup toasted sesame oil
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/3 cup tamari or soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons fresh grated ginger
- 1-2 cloves garlic, grated
- 1 rounded tablespoon orange zest
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds
Salad
- avocado oil, for frying
- 1 package wonton wrappers, sliced into strips
- 3 cups shredded cabbage
- 3 cups shredded lettuce
- 1-2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1/3 cup slivered almonds or peanuts
- 1 cup fresh orange slices
- 2 avocados sliced
- 1/3 cup chopped green onions
- chili oil, for serving, (optional)
Instructions
- 1. To make the dressing. Combine all ingredients in a glass jar or bowl. 2. To make the wontons. Heat the oil in a skillet. Add the strips of wontons and let cook, 1-2 minutes, until deeply golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels, then sprinkle with flaky salt.3. To make the salad. In a salad bowl, combine the cabbage, lettuce, chicken, almonds, and orange slices. Pour over half the dressing, then toss to coat the greens. Add the avocados, fried wontons, green onions, and chili oil. ENJOY the yumminess.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Hii! What did you bake the chicken in?
Hi Kelsi,
I just used a regular baking dish:) I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
This one is definitely a keeper! Made it for the hubs and myself and then made it again two days later for company! Everyone raved! Thanks HBH!
Hey Marie,
Wonderful!!🍀 I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks so much for trying it out:)
When going to make this I realized I only had toasted sesame oil and not regular sesame oil. Would you recommend just doing the full amount in toasted sesame oil?
Hey Angela,
That should be okay for you to do! Let me know how this recipe turns out, I hope you love it! xx
This salad is an absolute home run!!!! The salad dressing and all ingredients truly make one of the best salads I have ever had! I have already made it 3 times in two weeks!!!! A++++++ another amazing recipe from Half baked Harvest/ Tieghan
Hey Colleen,
Happy Wednesday!! I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your feedback, so glad to hear it was tasty! xx
This salad is 10/10! The dressing is so refreshing and flavorful. I will be making this regularly!
Hi Jessica,
Happy Monday!!🌞 Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your review, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! xx
Excited to make this! Any tips on how to store this salad for meal prepping?
Hi Erica,
I would just keep the dressing and wontons on the side:) Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx
This was wonderful! How long will the dressing last in the fridge?
Hey Jesse,
Amazing!! So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it!! The dressing is good for 2 weeks. Have a great weekend! xx
I significantly cut the oil and it was still absolutely amazing! Thank you for another family favorite!
Hey Amanda,
Amazing!! So glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks for making it!! Have a great weekend! xx
Great flavor!
Hey Susan,
Happy Friday!!🍀 I appreciate you making this recipe and sharing your comment, so glad to hear it was delish! xT
Yummy!
Thanks Alyssa!
She always misses steps in her recipes. She doesn’t even mention how to cook the chicken here, so disappointing.
the way i read the recipe it called for already cooked/rotisserie chicken and not for you to cook it yourself. I used rotisserie chicken just now and the recipe worked perfectly well for us.
You can always just CLICK the link for the item and see. She didnt miss a step she said cooked shredded chicken. The link is for precooked chicken. Also in the comments someone asked her and she said she does marinate hers but its not necessary. … chill out
Was wondering if you could air fry the wontons?
Hey there,
I’ve never tried this, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work well for you! Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx
Do you marinate the chicken at all before cooking? (If you’re making it for salad vs using leftover chicken)
Hey Holly,
I do! I just did some coconut aminos, sesame oil, chili flakes and honey and then baked. Let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love the recipe! xx
Delicious! Do you happen to have the breakdown of fats, carbs, fiber and protein?
Hey Rachel,
I appreciate you making this recipe and I’m thrilled to hear that it turned out well for you! So sorry, I do not have that info! Have a great weekend! xx
This was delicious! Key to the dressing for me was to blend (as someone else mentioned in the comments) rather than just whisk – completely different texture and taste. Added more ginger, olive oil rather than sesame oil (didn’t have) and a little chili paste. Had never fried wontons before! So easy and light as air. Thanks for a great recipe – easy to adapt as well
Thanks so much Diane!! I love to hear that this salad was a hit, thanks for making it! Happy Friday! xx
Excited to have this for lunches this week! Question about the dressing…the picture looks there are jalapeños in the dressing but they’re not in the ingredient list. Thanks!
Hey Jennifer,
My family likes the extra spice so I added some jalapeños to the dressing, but totally not necessary:) Please let me know if you have any other questions! xx