Easy Mandarin Chicken Salad

why make this recipe

Easy Mandarin Chicken Salad is a perfect choice for a light meal or a fresh side dish. It combines tender chicken, crunchy vegetables, and sweet mandarin oranges for a delightful mix of flavors and textures. This salad is quick to prepare, making it great for busy weeknights or meal prep. Plus, it’s packed with healthy ingredients that are good for you!

how to make Easy Mandarin Chicken Salad

Ingredients:

• 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)
• 1 tablespoon Honey (For dressing)
• 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce (Low-sodium preferred)
• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (For dressing)
• 1 tablespoon Rice Vinegar (For dressing)

Directions:

1. Prepare the chicken by seasoning it with salt and pepper. Grill or sauté until fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes per side. Cool and shred or dice.
2. Rinse the mixed salad greens under cold water and dry them before placing them in a large mixing bowl.
3. Dice the red bell pepper and slice the cucumber. Add these vegetables to the bowl with the salad greens.
4. Add the drained mandarin oranges to the mixing bowl, folding them in gently.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, olive oil, rice vinegar, salt, and pepper until smooth.
6. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients.
7. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top for added texture and flavor.
8. Serve immediately or store in the fridge for up to an hour, keeping the dressing separate until serving.
9. Plate the salad and garnish with additional sesame seeds or green onion slices.
10. Enjoy as a light meal or pair with whole grain bread or rice.

how to serve Easy Mandarin Chicken Salad

Serve this salad chilled or at room temperature. It is great as a standalone meal or alongside grilled proteins, rice, or whole grain bread. You can also pack it for lunch, making sure to keep the dressing in a separate container until ready to eat.

how to store Easy Mandarin Chicken Salad

Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. If storing, keep the dressing separate until just before serving to avoid soggy greens.

tips to make Easy Mandarin Chicken Salad

• For even more flavor, marinate the chicken for a couple of hours before cooking.
• Feel free to add other ingredients like avocado, nuts, or different vegetables according to your taste.
• Use fresh mandarin oranges instead of canned for an extra zing if they are in season.

variation

You can easily make this salad vegetarian by replacing the chicken with chickpeas or tofu. Additionally, try using different dressings like a citrus vinaigrette for a new twist.

FAQs

1. Can I use leftover chicken for this salad?
Yes! Leftover roasted or grilled chicken works perfectly fine in this recipe.

2. Is it okay to prepare this salad in advance?
You can prepare the ingredients ahead of time, but it’s best to mix in the dressing right before serving to keep the greens fresh.

3. Can I make this salad gluten-free?
Yes! Just choose a gluten-free soy sauce alternative or use tamari instead.

Easy Mandarin Chicken Salad

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A light and refreshing salad combining tender chicken, crunchy vegetables, and sweet mandarin oranges, perfect for busy weeknights.

• Total Time: 25
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

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• 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)
• 1 tablespoon Honey (For dressing)
• 2 tablespoons Soy Sauce (Low-sodium preferred)
• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (For dressing)
• 1 tablespoon Rice Vinegar (For dressing)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken by seasoning it with salt and pepper. Grill or sauté until fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes per side. Cool and shred or dice.
2. Rinse the mixed salad greens under cold water and dry them before placing them in a large mixing bowl.
3. Dice the red bell pepper and slice the cucumber. Add these vegetables to the bowl with the salad greens.
4. Add the drained mandarin oranges to the mixing bowl, folding them in gently.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, olive oil, rice vinegar, salt, and pepper until smooth.
6. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all ingredients.
7. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top for added texture and flavor.
8. Serve immediately or store in the fridge for up to an hour, keeping the dressing separate until serving.
9. Plate the salad and garnish with additional sesame seeds or green onion slices.

Notes

Marinate the chicken for a couple of hours for even more flavor. This salad is great for meal prep, just keep the dressing separate until ready to serve.

• Author: nevaeh-hall
• Prep Time: 15
• Cook Time: 10
• Category: Salad
• Method: No Cook
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Gluten-Free

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 10g
• Sodium: 450mg
• Fat: 15g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 5g
• Protein: 20g
• Cholesterol: 70mg