Tasty Chicken Cranberry Salad

Featured in Fresh and Delicious Salad Recipes for Every Season.

Enjoy this bright and colorful salad, combining shredded rotisserie chicken with a crunch from coleslaw mix, almonds, and dried cranberries. Toss in some sliced red onion, fresh cilantro, and optional mandarin slices or sesame sticks. The sesame-ginger dressing, made with olive oil, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, garlic, honey, and toasted sesame oil, brings everything together. Serve as a light bite or side dish, balancing sweetness, tanginess, and savory flavors perfectly. Mix the salad and dressing right before serving for the best flavor and texture.

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Updated on Wed, 21 May 2025 17:22:53 GMT
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Chicken Cranberry Salad | chefmelt.com

This Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad turns basic items into a colorful, tasty feast that's great for gatherings or fast evening meals. The mix of crispy coleslaw, soft rotisserie chicken, and tangy-sweet cranberries creates an exciting texture blend that folks can't stop eating.

I whipped up this salad for a local block party when I wanted something filling but easy. It was gone so fast that I had to share the recipe with three neighbors before the night was over. Now I bring it to everything from family outings to my weekly lunch prep.

What You'll Need

  • Coleslaw mix: Makes a crunchy foundation with no chopping hassle
  • Rotisserie chicken: Brings protein and rich flavor while cutting down your prep time
  • Toasted almonds or cashews: Give that must-have crunch and nutty goodness
  • Dried cranberries: Add pops of sweet-tangy flavor that work with the savory bits
  • Red onion: Gives a zingy kick that softens as it mixes with the dressing
  • Sesame sticks: Throw in a fun crunchy twist and light nutty taste
  • Fresh cilantro: Adds a fresh pop that lifts all other flavors
  • Mandarin oranges: Bring juicy sweetness and bright color
  • Sesame seeds: Add nutty flavor and look pretty too
  • Extra virgin olive oil: Forms the fruity base of your dressing
  • Balsamic vinegar: Adds deep sweetness with a tangy punch
  • Soy sauce: Brings that savory umami depth and perfect salt level
  • Fresh garlic and ginger: Create the flavor foundation of your dressing
  • Honey: Sweetens naturally and helps mix everything smoothly
  • Toasted sesame oil: Packs big nutty flavor with just a tiny splash

How To Make Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad

Start with the base:
Put about 12 cups of coleslaw mix in a big bowl. This makes sure everything else can mix in evenly. The slaw stays crunchy even after mixing with dressing.
Layer your goodies:
Spread finely chopped rotisserie chicken, toasted nuts, cranberries, chopped onion, sesame sticks, cilantro, mandarin oranges, and sesame seeds on top of the slaw. This way each item keeps its own taste before mixing. Make sure to chop the chicken into small bits for the best bites.
Mix up the dressing:
Put olive oil, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, chopped garlic, honey, minced ginger, and toasted sesame oil in a blender. Add three tablespoons of water to get it just right. Blend till smooth, about 30-45 seconds. The water thins it out just enough to coat everything without making it soggy.
Finish and enjoy:
Drizzle the dressing over your salad bit by bit, using just enough to lightly coat everything. Mix gently until all ingredients get some dressing. Keep any leftover dressing for serving on the side or save it for later. Gentle mixing keeps the softer ingredients from breaking apart.
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Those mandarin oranges might look simple, but they really change the whole salad. My grandma always put fruit in her savory dishes. She'd say mixing sweet and savory makes food more memorable. When I first brought this to our family get-together, my doubtful uncle tried one bite and immediately wanted the recipe, showing Grandma knew what she was talking about.

Prep It Early

This salad gets even better after some time in the fridge. All the flavors mix together nicely, but everything stays surprisingly crisp. For the best results, get all parts ready up to a day ahead but keep them apart. Put the dressing in a jar, the prepped veggies and chicken in one container, and crunchy stuff like nuts and sesame sticks in another. Mix it all about 30 minutes before eating so flavors can blend while keeping that perfect crunch.

Easy Swaps

Feel free to change this recipe based on what you've got. You can use grilled salmon, tofu, or leftover turkey instead of rotisserie chicken. No cranberries around? Try chopped dried apricots, cherries, or even raisins. If you can't do nuts, go with sunflower seeds or pepitas. You can swap the bagged coleslaw for hand-shredded napa cabbage or even sturdy romaine in a pinch. The dressing works with white balsamic, rice vinegar, or lime juice too if you need something different.

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Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad | chefmelt.com

Serving Ideas

Turn this flexible salad into a full meal by stuffing it in butter lettuce cups for fancy finger food. For a heartier option, pile it on cooked rice or soba noodles. It's great stuffed in wraps or pita pockets for lunches on the go. When you're hosting, spread it on a big platter with rice crackers or wonton crisps for dipping. Its bright colors and different textures make it look as good as it tastes.

Blending Traditions

This dish shows off modern fusion cooking by mixing Asian flavors like soy sauce, ginger, and sesame with Western ingredients like cranberries and balsamic vinegar. The result honors traditional Asian slaw methods while creating something totally new. The combo might seem unusual, but it shows how food traditions naturally blend as ingredients and cooking styles cross borders. Adding cranberries pulls from classic American harvest salads, making a truly mixed-culture dish.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I swap the chicken for another protein?

Definitely! Try cooked shrimp, tofu, or even shredded turkey if you want a similar taste and texture.

→ What are some alternatives to almonds?

If almonds or cashews don't work, go for pecans, walnuts, or sunflower seeds to keep it nut-free.

→ How do I make this a vegetarian option?

Just leave the chicken out and throw in some tofu, edamame, or chickpeas for a plant-based protein boost.

→ Is it possible to make the dressing ahead of time?

Sure, get the dressing ready 2-3 days early! Keep it in the fridge in a sealed container, and give it a good shake before using.

→ What can I use instead of sesame sticks?

No sesame sticks? Crushed pretzels or crispy noodles will do the trick for that same crunchy texture.

→ How do I keep the salad fresh and crunchy?

Add the dressing right before serving so the salad doesn’t lose its crunch.

Chicken Cranberry Salad

A refreshing mix of chicken, cranberries, almonds, and sesame-ginger dressing for a light and flavorful dish.

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
20 Minutes

Category: Salads

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: Asian

Yield: 8 Servings

Dietary: Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Salad Base

01 A couple of small cans of mandarin oranges, well-drained
02 1 ½ cups chopped cilantro leaves
03 1 cup sesame sticks (totally optional)
04 Around 12 cups of coleslaw mix (about two smaller bags)
05 ¼ cup of black or plain sesame seeds
06 4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken pieces
07 1 ½ cups sliced, toasted cashews or almonds
08 1 ½ cups sweetened dried cranberries (try orange flavor if you can!)
09 ¾ cup red onion, cut finely into bits

→ Dressing

10 ½ cup of either regular or white balsamic vinegar
11 3 tablespoons water to help with blending
12 4 tablespoons either honey or some brown sugar
13 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
14 1 cup good quality extra-virgin olive oil
15 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil for that nutty touch
16 4 tablespoons fresh ginger, finely minced
17 4 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce

Instructions

Step 01

Start with a large bowl. Toss in the coleslaw mix, chicken chunks, almonds or cashews, cranberries, red onion bits, and sesame seeds. If you're into sesame sticks or mandarins, throw those in too! Add cilantro last for that fresh pop.

Step 02

Take a blender and mix olive oil, vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, honey (or sugar), ginger, sesame oil, and water until everything looks creamy and smooth.

Step 03

Drizzle just enough dressing over the salad to coat it lightly (you don't have to use all of it!). Give it a gentle toss, then it's ready to dig in. Keep any leftover dressing for the next time.

Tools You'll Need

  • Big bowl for mixing
  • A blender for the dressing
  • Spatula or a wooden spoon for tossing

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Nuts like almonds and cashews
  • Products made from soy (like the soy sauce)
  • Sesame seeds, sesame sticks, or sesame oil

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 320
  • Total Fat: 22 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 18 g
  • Protein: 12 g