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Sesame Chicken Cabbage Salad

Sesame Chicken Cabbage Salad
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Sesame Chicken Cabbage Salad is a vibrant and crunchy dish combining tender chicken breast, colorful cabbage, and a flavorful sesame dressing. This quick and easy salad balances sweet, savory, and tangy flavors with nutty sesame notes, making it a delicious and healthy option for lunch, dinner, or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Vegetables

  • 2 cups green cabbage, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups purple cabbage, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup carrots, grated
  • 3 green onions, finely chopped

Dressing

  • 3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
  • 3 tablespoons soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
  • 1 garlic clove, grated
  • 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated

Garnish

  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
  • Extra green onions for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a little oil and cook the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes to keep it juicy, then slice thinly against the grain.
  2. Shred the Vegetables: While the chicken cooks, thinly slice green and purple cabbage, grate the carrots, and finely chop the green onions for a fresh base.
  3. Make the Sesame Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, grated garlic, and ginger until smooth. Taste and adjust the sweetness or acidity according to your preference.
  4. Toss Everything Together: In a large bowl, combine the shredded cabbage, carrots, and green onions with the sliced chicken. Drizzle the sesame dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat evenly, preserving the crunch.
  5. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and additional green onions on top. Optionally, refrigerate for 15-20 minutes before serving to meld flavors and enhance crispness.

Notes

  • Let the cooked chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing to retain juices.
  • Use a sharp knife or mandoline for thin, even cabbage shreds.
  • Toast sesame seeds lightly in a dry pan to intensify flavor.
  • Adjust dressing ingredients slowly to balance sweet, tangy, and salty flavors.
  • Chill salad before serving for enhanced flavor and texture.
  • Store leftover salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days; keep dressing separate if possible.
  • Freeze cooked chicken separately, but avoid freezing the salad to maintain cabbage crunch.
  • Reheat leftover chicken gently and toss with fresh veggies and dressing to refresh the salad.

Nutrition

Keywords: sesame chicken salad, cabbage salad, healthy chicken salad, Asian chicken salad, sesame dressing, gluten free salad

Find it online: https://marygourmet.com/sesame-chicken-cabbage-salad/