Hosting a party or just want to make your weekday lunches feel like a celebration? These Asian chicken salad recipes bring big flavor and crunchy texture to the table, whether you're feeding a crowd or just yourself.
Each recipe uses shredded chicken, crisp cabbage, carrots, and a sesame-soy dressing that ties everything together. From edamame crunch to mandarin orange sweetness, these salads are designed to be make-ahead friendly and totally party-worthy.
Grab your biggest bowl and let's get chopping.
1. Classic Sesame Chicken Salad Wraps

When you need a lunch that feels like a party in your mouth but takes zero effort, these wraps are your go-to. The sesame-soy dressing ties together tender shredded chicken, crunchy cabbage, and sweet carrots in a way that's both familiar and exciting. Served in crisp lettuce cups or soft tortillas, they're perfect for feeding a crowd or just treating yourself on a busy weekday.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 2 cups finely shredded green cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 3 scallions, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup sesame oil
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- Butter lettuce leaves or small flour tortillas for serving
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, ginger, and garlic until smooth.
- In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, cabbage, carrots, and scallions.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well to coat. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and toss again.
- To serve, spoon the mixture into lettuce cups or roll up in tortillas. Enjoy immediately.
Serving Tip
For extra crunch, add a handful of crispy wonton strips right before serving. These wraps also travel well — just keep the filling and wraps separate until you're ready to eat.
2. Crunchy Edamame and Ginger Chicken Bowl

Think of this as the party-friendly lunch that keeps the crunch going even after a few hours in the cooler. Fresh ginger and a zesty soy dressing wake up shredded chicken, edamame, and crunchy celery, while wonton strips add that irresistible crispness. It’s a bowl that feels like a celebration—bright, textured, and totally satisfying.
Perfect for potlucks, picnics, or make-ahead lunches that stay fresh and lively.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 cup shelled edamame, thawed
- 2 cups finely shredded cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 2 celery stalks, thinly sliced
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 1/2 cup wonton strips
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
- For the ginger soy dressing: 1/4 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp rice vinegar, 1 tbsp sesame oil, 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger, 1 tsp honey, 1 clove garlic minced
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, grated ginger, honey, and minced garlic until smooth. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, edamame, cabbage, carrots, celery, and green onions.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Divide the mixture into serving bowls. Top each with a generous handful of wonton strips and a sprinkle of toasted almonds.
- Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 4 hours—the wonton strips stay crunchy if added just before eating.
Serving Tip
For a party-friendly presentation, serve the salad in individual mason jars or clear cups with the dressing at the bottom, then layers of cabbage, chicken mixture, and wonton strips on top. Shake or toss when ready to eat.
3. Mandarin Orange and Almond Chicken Salad

Party platters and potlucks call for salads that look as good as they taste. This one brings a burst of sunny color with mandarin orange segments and crunchy toasted almonds, all tossed in a citrusy soy-sesame dressing. It’s the kind of dish that disappears fast—everyone loves the sweet-savory balance and the satisfying crunch from wonton strips and almonds.
Best of all, you can prep it ahead and assemble right before serving, so you actually get to enjoy the party too.
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 2 cups shredded green cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup sliced scallions
- 1 cup mandarin orange segments (canned, drained, or fresh)
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
- 1/2 cup crispy wonton strips
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- For the dressing:
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients until smooth. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, cabbage, carrots, and scallions.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well to coat.
- Gently fold in the mandarin orange segments and toasted almonds.
- Just before serving, top with crispy wonton strips and fresh cilantro.
- Serve immediately or keep chilled until ready to serve.
Serving Tip
For a party-friendly presentation, serve this salad on a large platter lined with lettuce leaves. Garnish with extra orange segments and a sprinkle of toasted almonds on top. It’s also fantastic scooped into butter lettuce cups for easy handheld bites.
4. Spicy Sriracha Chicken Salad Lettuce Cups

When you need a lunch that doubles as a party snack, these sriracha-spiked lettuce cups deliver. The dressing brings a bold, garlicky heat that clings to every shred of chicken and crunchy cabbage. Served in cool butter lettuce, they're easy to grab and impossible to put down—just the thing for game day or a casual get-together.
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 1 cup finely shredded green cabbage
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup chopped scallions
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- Salt to taste
- 12 large butter lettuce leaves (or Bibb lettuce)
- Optional: toasted sesame seeds, extra scallions for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sriracha, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and salt until smooth.
- Add shredded chicken, cabbage, carrots, and scallions. Toss well to coat evenly.
- Spoon the chicken mixture into lettuce leaves, dividing evenly.
- Garnish with sesame seeds and extra scallions if desired. Serve immediately.
Serving Tip
For a make-ahead party platter, prep the filling up to a day in advance and store it in the fridge. Assemble the cups just before serving to keep the lettuce crisp. If you want extra crunch, top with crushed wonton strips or sliced almonds.
5. Thai Peanut Chicken Crunch Wrap

When you need a lunch that doubles as a party centerpiece, this Thai Peanut Chicken Crunch Wrap steps up. Creamy peanut-lime dressing coats tender shredded chicken, crunchy cabbage, and sweet carrots, all wrapped in a warm flour tortilla with crispy wonton strips. It's the kind of handheld that disappears fast from a platter — no forks required.
The balance of salty, tangy, and nutty flavors keeps everyone coming back for more.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 cup shredded green cabbage
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/4 cup chopped scallions
- 1/2 cup crispy wonton strips
- 4 large flour tortillas (burrito size)
- For the peanut-lime dressing: 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2-3 tablespoons warm water (to thin)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, honey, ginger, and garlic until smooth. Add warm water a tablespoon at a time until dressing is pourable but still thick.
- In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, cabbage, carrots, and scallions. Pour dressing over and toss well to coat.
- Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave for about 20 seconds to make them pliable.
- Lay a tortilla flat. Spoon about 1 cup of the chicken mixture down the center. Top with a generous handful of wonton strips.
- Fold in the sides, then roll tightly from the bottom to form a wrap. Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling.
- Slice each wrap in half diagonally and serve immediately, or wrap tightly in foil for later.
Serving Tip
For a party platter, slice each wrap into pinwheels (about 1-inch thick) and secure with a toothpick. Arrange on a tray with extra peanut-lime dipping sauce on the side. These hold up well for a few hours at room temperature, making them perfect for picnics or potlucks.
6. Ginger Sesame Chicken Salad with Celery and Scallions

When you're hosting a casual get-together, this salad is the kind of dish that disappears fast. Fresh ginger and scallions give it a clean, zesty kick, while crunchy celery adds a satisfying snap. The light sesame dressing keeps everything refreshing—no heavy mayo here.
It's simple enough to throw together for a party but impressive enough that guests will ask for the recipe.
Ingredients
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 2 cups thinly sliced celery
- 1 cup thinly sliced scallions (green parts included)
- 1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon honey or sugar
- Salt and white pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, celery, scallions, and sesame seeds.
- In a small bowl, whisk together rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, grated ginger, and honey until well blended.
- Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and toss gently to coat.
- Season with salt and white pepper to taste. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Serving Tip
For parties, serve this salad in a large bowl lined with crisp lettuce leaves, or spoon it into mini phyllo cups for easy finger food. Garnish with extra scallion curls and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.
7. Five-Spice Chicken Salad with Wonton Strips

Chinese five-spice powder is the secret weapon here, delivering warm notes of star anise, cloves, and cinnamon that make this salad feel special. It’s the kind of dish that looks impressive on a buffet table but comes together in minutes with leftover rotisserie chicken. Crunchy wonton strips and a tangy ginger-soy dressing keep every forkful interesting—perfect for potlucks or casual get-togethers where you want to bring something a little different.
Ingredients
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie works great)
- 2 cups shredded green cabbage
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup sliced scallions
- 1/2 cup crispy wonton strips
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 cup toasted slivered almonds
- For the dressing:
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 clove garlic, minced
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients until honey dissolves. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, cabbage, carrots, scallions, cilantro, and almonds.
- Pour dressing over the salad and toss well to coat.
- Divide among serving plates or bowls and top with crispy wonton strips just before serving.
Serving Tip
For a party, serve this salad in a large platter with extra wonton strips on the side so guests can add their own crunch. It also works beautifully as a filling for lettuce wraps—just spoon into butter lettuce cups for a low-carb option.
FAQ
Can I use rotisserie chicken for these recipes?
Absolutely. Rotisserie chicken works perfectly and saves time. Just shred the meat and skip the cooking step.
How far ahead can I make these salads?
Most of these salads keep well for 2-3 days in the fridge. Store dressing separately and add crunchy toppings like wonton strips just before serving.
What's the best cabbage to use?
Napa cabbage or green cabbage both work. Napa is more tender, while green cabbage stays crunchier longer.
Can I make these dairy-free or gluten-free?
Yes. Use tamari instead of soy sauce for gluten-free, and skip any dairy ingredients. Most recipes are naturally dairy-free.
How do I keep the wonton strips from getting soggy?
Add them just before serving, or serve them on the side so everyone can sprinkle their own.
Conclusion
These seven Asian chicken salad recipes prove that easy lunches can still feel special. Whether you're prepping for a party or just want to brighten up your midday meal, each bowl or wrap brings fresh crunch and bold flavor.
Mix and match ingredients to suit your taste, and don't be afraid to double the batch—they're always a hit. Happy eating!

Dr. Pallab Kishore, MS in Orthodontics and owner of Orthodontic Braces Care, shares expert tips on braces, aligners, and oral health from 10+ years of experience.

