Description
This Easy Mandarin Chicken Salad combines tender grilled chicken breast with juicy mandarin oranges and crisp mixed greens for a refreshing, flavorful meal. Tossed in a light honey-soy dressing and garnished with sesame seeds, this vibrant salad is perfect for a quick lunch or a healthy dinner option.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 2 cups Cooked Chicken Breast (Shredded or diced)
- 1 can Mandarin Oranges (Drained)
- 4 cups Mixed Salad Greens (Includes spinach, arugula, or romaine)
- 1 Red Bell Pepper (Diced)
- 1 medium Cucumber (Sliced)
- 2 Green Onions (Thinly sliced)
- 2 tablespoons Sesame Seeds (For garnish)
Dressing
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce (Low-sodium preferred)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 tablespoon Rice Vinegar
- Salt and Pepper (To taste)
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Season the chicken breast with salt and pepper, then grill or sauté it over medium heat for about 6-8 minutes per side until fully cooked. Allow the chicken to cool before shredding or dicing it into bite-sized pieces.
- Prep the greens: Rinse the mixed salad greens under cold water and thoroughly dry them with a salad spinner or paper towels. Place the greens into a large mixing bowl.
- Add vegetables: Dice the red bell pepper and slice the cucumber, then add them to the bowl with the salad greens.
- Incorporate mandarins: Drain the mandarin oranges well and fold them gently into the salad mixture to avoid breaking the fruit segments.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, olive oil, rice vinegar, and a pinch of salt and pepper until the dressing is smooth and emulsified.
- Toss the salad: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to evenly coat everything without damaging the delicate mandarins or greens.
- Garnish: Sprinkle the sesame seeds over the top of the salad to add texture and a nutty flavor.
- Chill or serve immediately: You can serve the salad right away or store it in the refrigerator for up to one hour if you keep the dressing separate until ready to serve.
- Final plating: When plating the salad, garnish with additional sesame seeds or green onion slices for extra visual appeal and flavor enhancement.
- Enjoy: Serve the salad as a light meal by itself or pair it with whole grain bread or rice for a more filling option.
Notes
- For a low-sodium option, use reduced-sodium soy sauce and adjust salt accordingly.
- Freshly grilled chicken adds the best flavor, but leftover cooked chicken can be used for convenience.
- To keep the salad crisp, add dressing just before serving.
- Feel free to substitute the mixed greens with your favorite lettuce blend.
- This salad is best enjoyed fresh; avoid making it too far in advance to prevent sogginess.
