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Mandarin Orange Chicken Salad Recipe

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A vibrant and refreshing Mandarin Orange Chicken Salad featuring shredded chicken, crisp napa and red cabbage, crunchy almonds, and a flavorful homemade sesame-orange dressing. Perfect as a light meal or a colorful side dish, this salad balances sweet, tangy, and savory flavors for a delicious and nutritious option ready in just 20 minutes.

Ingredients

Salad Ingredients

  • 4 cups napa cabbage (or green cabbage, shredded)
  • 2 cups red cabbage (shredded)
  • 1 cup matchstick carrots
  • 1 red bell pepper (thinly sliced)
  • ⅓ cup green onions or scallions
  • 2 cups shredded chicken breast
  • 2 mandarin oranges (or clementines)
  • ½ cup roasted and salted almonds (chopped)
  • Sesame seeds (for topping, optional)

Dressing Ingredients

  • ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice (juice from about 1 ½ mandarin oranges)
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 3 Tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 3 Tablespoons tamari
  • 2 garlic cloves (roughly chopped)
  • 2 inch knob fresh ginger (roughly chopped)
  • ½ cup sesame oil

Instructions

  1. Blend dressing: Add all dressing ingredients—orange juice, honey, rice vinegar, tamari, garlic cloves, fresh ginger, and sesame oil—to a blender. Blend until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Set the dressing aside.
  2. Toss veggies: In a large bowl, combine shredded napa cabbage, red cabbage, matchstick carrots, thinly sliced red bell pepper, green onions, and shredded chicken breast. Toss the ingredients together to evenly distribute.
  3. Pour dressing over veggies: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the vegetable and chicken mixture. Toss again to ensure the salad is thoroughly coated with the flavorful dressing.
  4. Add mandarin oranges and almonds: Gently fold in the mandarin orange slices and chopped roasted almonds. Toss lightly once more to incorporate these ingredients without breaking the orange segments.
  5. Optional topping: Sprinkle sesame seeds on top for an extra layer of texture and nutty flavor.
  6. Serve or store: Serve the salad immediately for the freshest taste, or transfer it to a glass container and refrigerate. The salad will keep well for up to 4 days in the fridge.

Notes

  • This salad can be made with either napa or green cabbage depending on preference or availability.
  • Shredded chicken breast can be prepared ahead of time or substituted with rotisserie chicken for convenience.
  • For a gluten-free option, ensure the tamari used is certified gluten-free.
  • To reduce salt content, use reduced-sodium tamari or soy sauce.
  • Leftovers are best consumed within 4 days to maintain freshness.
  • Optional sesame seeds add crunch and visual appeal but can be omitted if desired.

Find it online: https://cookedbygrace.com/mandarin-orange-chicken-salad-recipe/