Sesame Orange Chicken Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

This sesame orange chicken salad is bright, crunchy, and full of balanced flavors. Crisp romaine, shredded green and red cabbage, and julienned carrots give the salad texture, while sliced green onion and chopped cilantro add fresh, herbaceous notes. Juicy mandarin oranges bring a touch of sweetness, and pan-seared chicken breasts lend a savory, satisfying protein. Homemade crispy wonton strips add a fun crunch, and a sesame-soy vinaigrette coats every bite for maximum flavor. You can use pre-cooked shredded chicken if you prefer, but searing the breasts gives a deeper, more appealing flavor and texture.

How to Make Sesame Orange Chicken Salad

• Start by searing the chicken. Pat the breasts dry, then season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook the chicken until golden brown on both sides and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove and let rest before slicing.
• While the chicken cooks, prepare the wonton strips. Pour enough canola or vegetable oil into the pan to cover the bottom by about 1/2 inch. Slice wonton wrappers into thin strips. Heat the oil over medium until it shimmers; test by dipping one strip—if it bubbles, the oil is ready. Fry a few strips at a time, avoiding crowding, until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to paper towels to drain.
• Chop the romaine and shred the green and red cabbage. Peel and julienne the carrots, then slice the green onions and chop the cilantro. Place the vegetables in a large bowl. Because mandarin oranges can break apart, add them last along with the sliced chicken and wonton strips.
• Make the vinaigrette by combining sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, lime juice, and honey in a jar. Shake vigorously until emulsified. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
• Dress the salad with the sesame-soy vinaigrette and toss gently, or serve the sliced chicken on top of individual portions and finish with mandarins and wonton strips.

Ingredients for Sesame Orange Chicken Salad

• Romaine lettuce (1 heart), chopped
• Green and red cabbage, finely shredded (about 1 cup each)
• 2 carrots, peeled and julienned
• 1 bunch green onion, sliced
• 3/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1 can mandarin oranges, drained
• Wonton wrappers, sliced into strips
• 2–4 chicken breasts
• Olive oil and canola or vegetable oil for cooking
• Salt, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and black pepper
• Sesame oil (3 tbsp)
• Rice vinegar (3 tbsp)
• Soy sauce (2 tbsp)
• Dijon mustard (1 tbsp)
• Juice of 1/2 lime
• Honey (1 tsp)

This salad is ideal for a flavorful lunch or a light dinner. It comes together quickly and stores well if you keep the dressing and crunchy wontons separate until serving.