Description
A lightning-fast, 15-minute weeknight dinner featuring shredded rotisserie chicken, crisp coleslaw mix, and a savory-sweet sesame ginger dressing. This customizable salad is perfect for meal prep and keeps its crunch for days.
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (about 300g)
- 1 bag coleslaw mix (12–16 oz / 340-450g)
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced (about 50g)
- 4–5 stalks green onions, sliced thinly (about 30g)
- ½ cup chopped cilantro (about 15g)
- ½ cup crunchy toppings (roasted peanuts and toasted sesame seeds, about 60g total)
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, grated (about 15g)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (about 6g)
- 1 tablespoon honey (or maple syrup for vegan option)
- 1 teaspoon sriracha (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the chicken: Shred the rotisserie chicken with two forks or your hands. If cooking your own chicken, poach in water with rice vinegar and ginger for 15 minutes, then shred and cool completely.
- Make the dressing: In a small jar with a lid, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, grated ginger, minced garlic, honey, and sriracha. Screw the lid on tight and shake vigorously for 20 seconds until emulsified. Taste and adjust sweetness or saltiness if needed.
- Prep the veggies: Dump the coleslaw mix into a large mixing bowl. Slice the red onion thinly and add to the bowl. Slice green onions and cilantro, keeping them separate for now.
- Combine the salad: Add the shredded chicken to the bowl with the cabbage and carrots. Pour about ¾ of the dressing over the salad and toss with tongs to coat everything evenly. Add the green onions and cilantro and toss gently.
- Add crunch and serve: Sprinkle roasted peanuts and toasted sesame seeds on top. Toss one last time. Serve immediately with a wedge of lime on the side, or store dressing separately for meal prep.
Notes
[‘For best flavor, toast raw sesame seeds in a dry skillet for 2-3 minutes until golden.’, ‘If using raw red onion, soak slices in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow the flavor.’, ‘For meal prep, store the dressing separately and toss with veggies and chicken right before eating to maintain crunch.’, ‘Do not freeze this salad as the cabbage will turn to mush upon thawing.’, ‘This salad is best eaten cold or at room temperature; do not microwave.’]
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (approx. 1/4
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 580
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 22
Keywords: Asian chicken salad, quick weeknight dinner, rotisserie chicken recipes, sesame ginger dressing, meal prep salad, healthy lunch, gluten-free options, 15 minute meals