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What Great Grandma Ate / Recipes / 30 Minutes or Less / Whole30 Chinese Chicken Salad with Dates (Paleo, Gluten Free)

Whole30 Chinese Chicken Salad with Dates (Paleo, Gluten Free)

Last Updated on January 28, 2021 by Jean Choi

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This crunchy, refreshing, and delicious Whole30 Chinese chicken salad is packed with veggies and naturally sweetened with dates. It’s healthy and flavorful, and so easy to make!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Natural Delights®. All opinions are 100% mine.

whole30 chinese chicken salad close up on a plate

Chinese chicken salad was one of my favorite dishes growing up. It’s delicious, sweet, and crunchy, and packed with my favorite veggies. However, most of the ones you can get at restaurants are loaded with unhealthy sugars and inflammatory oils, especially in the dressing. So I’m sharing my easy Chinese chicken salad that’s healthy and so delicious!

Whole30 & Gluten Free Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe with Natural® Delights Medjool Dates

In this paleo Chinese chicken salad recipe, I used Natural Delights® pitted medjool dates to sweeten the salad, as well as in the dressing. Not only do they add the perfect amount of sweetness, these particular dates are high quality and taste amazing. They are:

  • high in fiber and antioxidants,
  • sustainably grown,
  • pesticide free, additive free, and Non-GMO Project Verified.

In addition, all of their plastic packaging is made from 100% post-consumer recycled materials (materials diverted from landfills)!

Besides everything I mentioned, the dates really are delicious to snack on on their own, or to use in recipes like this Whole30 Chinese chicken salad.

chinese chicken salad ingredients in a mixing bowl

Paleo Chinese Chicken Salad Ingredients

You’ll find that the Chinese chicken salad ingredients are simple and easy to find at the grocery store. There’s nothing complicated, and there are a ton of healthy veggies that are so refreshing and crunchy. Here are the paleo and Whole30 Chinese chicken salad ingredients:

  • Cooked chicken: I had leftover rotisserie chicken that I used for this recipe. If you don’t have cooked chicken, you can pan fry or bake 2 lbs of chicken breasts or thighs and chop them up before adding to the salad.
  • Romaine lettuce
  • Red cabbage: Green cabbage will also work, but I just love the color of red cabbage.
  • Carrots
  • Sliced almonds: Chopped cashews are also a great option and will add a delicious crunch!
  • Natural Delights® pitted medjool dates
  • Green onions

You can check out how to make the super tasty and easy Chinese chicken salad dressing recipe below.

easy chinese chicken salad dressing recipe pouring over salad

Easy and Flavorful Sesame Dressing

The sesame dressing is truly so wonderful and flavorful in this gluten free Chinese chicken salad recipe and it really brings all the flavors and textures together. It’s naturally sweet from the medjool dates and packed with umami from the coconut aminos, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic.

Here are the ingredients in this easy Chinese chicken salad dressing recipe:

  • Natural Delights® pitted medjool dates
  • coconut aminos
  • rice vinegar
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • sesame oil
  • garlic
  • ginger
  • salt
  • pepper
gluten free chinese chicken salad recipe served on a plate

How to Make Chinese Chicken Salad

Once you have all the ingredients together, the instructions are actually very easy and quick! Here’s how to make Chinese chicken salad that’s so flavorful and amazing:

  1. Combine all ingredients for the dressing in the blender and let the dates soak while you put together the salad.
  2. Chop up all the ingredients for the salad (except sesame seeds) and combine in a large mixing bowl,
  3. When the dates are softened, blend the dressing ingredients together until smooth and creamy.
  4. Pour the sesame dressing over the salad and toss together until combined.
  5. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, if using, and serve.

So easy and flavorful, and it’s a great way to use up rotisserie chicken if you have any to use up!

close up of paleo chinese chicken salad

If you enjoyed this recipe, you might also like…

  • Paleo & Whole30 Mandarin Chicken Salad with Coconut Chips
  • Hearty Chicken Salad (Paleo, Whole30, Keto)
  • Thai Kale Salad with Cashew Dressing (Paleo, Whole30, Vegan)
  • Paleo Asian Chicken “Noodle” Salad [Video]

Whole30 Chinese Chicken Salad with Dates (Paleo, Gluten Free)

This crunchy, refreshing, and delicious Whole30 Chinese chicken salad is packed with veggies and naturally sweetened with dates. It's healthy and flavorful, and so easy to make!
5 from 15 votes
Print Pin
Course: Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: 30 minute paleo meals, 30 minute whole30 meals, chinese chicken salad ingredients, easy chinese chicken salad, easy chinese chicken salad dressing recipe, gluten free chinese chicken salad recipe, how to make chinese chicken salad, how to make chinese chicken salad dressing, paleo chinese chicken salad, whole30 asian recipes, whole30 salad recipes
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 361kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cubed cooked chicken about 2lb raw
  • 4 cups romaine lettuce
  • 1 cup shredded red cabbage
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds
  • 2 Natural Delights® pitted medjool dates chopped
  • 2 green onions chopped
  • Optional sesame seeds for garnish

Sesame Dressing

  • 2 Natural Delights® pitted medjool dates
  • 3 tbsp coconut aminos
  • 3 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp toasted sesame oil
  • 1 garlic clove peeled
  • 1/2 inch ginger
  • 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt

Instructions

  • Combine all ingredients for the sesame dressing in a blender, and let the dates soak and soften while you chop and put together the salad.
  • In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients for the salad, except sesame seeds.
  • Once the dates have softened a bit, blend all the dressing ingredients until smooth and creamy.
  • Pour the dressing over the salad, and toss together to coat.
  • If using, sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Whole30 Chinese Chicken Salad with Dates (Paleo, Gluten Free)
Amount Per Serving (1 serving – makes 6)
Calories 361 Calories from Fat 144
% Daily Value*
Fat 16g25%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol 97mg32%
Sodium 464mg20%
Potassium 934mg27%
Carbohydrates 20g7%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 13g14%
Protein 35g70%
Vitamin A 6569IU131%
Vitamin C 14mg17%
Calcium 71mg7%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
What Great Grandma Ate / Jean Choi is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Regarding other affiliate links and affiliate relationships: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Thank you for your support and understanding.

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By Jean Choi | January 28, 2021

Comments

  1. Shannon says

    February 2, 2021 at 9:40 pm

    This was very simple and so satisfying. I added chopped red bell pepper because I had it on hand. I made a big salad, served in individual portions and dressed individually so that the leftovers will keep well for tomorrow without becoming soggy! Thank you!

    • Jean Choi says

      February 5, 2021 at 12:41 pm

      What a great idea for storage. I’m so glad you liked it!

  2. Pooja says

    March 20, 2021 at 3:23 pm

    5 stars
    WOW. I mean…wow. I followed this recipe almost exactly; the only difference is I slightly toasted my almonds on a dry pan before adding them to the salad. But this salad is SO FLAVORFUL, and has such amazing competing textures in it. I cannot recommend this enough for easy meal prep or just a delicious meal. You need to try this!!

    • Jean Choi says

      March 29, 2021 at 11:17 am

      Yay!! Thanks so much, Pooja! That means so much coming from you. <3

  3. Parq says

    October 17, 2021 at 6:43 am

    5 stars
    We like this so much we have almost weekly. I double the dressing recipe as there does not seem to be enough if you follow the recipe. I also marinade the chicken (boneless thighs) in olive oil, coconut aminos, sesame oil and minced garlic for about an hour and then grill. This adds some extra flavor to the chicken that compliments the salad.

    • Jean Choi says

      October 18, 2021 at 3:53 pm

      Thank you so much! And what a great idea!!

  4. Dianna says

    November 30, 2021 at 5:49 am

    5 stars
    This was delicious! We used our leftover turkey from Thanksgiving and this was a perfect diversion from regular leftovers!

  5. Billi says

    January 5, 2022 at 10:34 am

    5 stars
    Bought all the ingredients pre-chopped. Threw this together pretty darn quick and it’s GREAT! Will be a regular. (Substituted broccoli slaw for the cabbage)

    • Jean Choi says

      January 10, 2022 at 11:49 am

      Great idea!!

  6. Elisa says

    February 7, 2022 at 1:39 pm

    5 stars
    This is SO good!! I used poached chicken breasts and meal prepped this for lunches. I put chopped veg in one bowl, kept dressing separate and lettuce chopped and separate and then threw together a portion for lunch. I skipped the toasted almonds and only needed about 2 T of the dressings per salad + 4 oz chicken and that brought the total calories to 375 w/ 35 grams protein. Anyway, that dressing is killer and I’ll totally make this again

  7. Heather says

    February 28, 2022 at 7:33 pm

    5 stars
    This is a winner! We will definitely be adding it to our regular weekly menu. I’m lazy and use frozen ginger cubes from TJ’s so we used 2 ginger cubes and it was just the perfect amount for us.

    • Jean Choi says

      March 2, 2022 at 4:55 pm

      I’m so happy you enjoyed it!!

  8. amber says

    May 16, 2022 at 9:37 am

    5 stars
    Another winner ! We loved this so much we had it 2 nights in a row. Crunch, flavorful and healthy.

  9. Nicole says

    July 17, 2022 at 6:18 pm

    This is a meal prep win for lunches! Great for my teen son and for me! And, on regular rotation for dinner. Use Costco rotisserie chicken for extra quick prep with no cooking required on hot days. Amazing flavor and textures!!!

  10. Katie says

    July 25, 2022 at 9:43 am

    5 stars
    This salad is truly incredible. I’m not a huge date fan and I left it out of the salad itself but used it in the dressing and holy moly is it good! Making it for lunch all week!

    • Jean Choi says

      August 2, 2022 at 12:57 pm

      Thank you so much!!

  11. Pam says

    August 4, 2022 at 4:43 pm

    5 stars
    Outstanding …. I subbed green cabbage for the red because thats what I had in the fridge … this is going in the rotation, hubby and loved it!

    • Jean Choi says

      September 22, 2022 at 8:37 pm

      Thank you so much!!

  12. Tara says

    August 12, 2022 at 6:38 pm

    5 stars
    This was wonderful! The dressing was so good I might have to use it for a marinade for other things lol

    • Jean Choi says

      August 15, 2022 at 10:37 am

      Yes! I make a double batch to add to so many things. Thanks so much for leaving a review!

  13. Dali says

    October 4, 2023 at 4:04 pm

    5 stars
    Amazing!!! Will be a mid-week rotation regular. I added a pear and a mandarin for sweetness and made the dressing creamier by adding unsweetened sunflower butter and compliant mayonnaise. Such a good recipe!

  14. Emily says

    July 6, 2024 at 8:45 pm

    5 stars
    This salad is amazing! I love the freshness and crunch of the salad. My husband and I love it as an easy work lunch, or a delicious side for dinner. The dressing is our absolute favorite part, it has such a delicious combination of flavors & we often double the dressing because we use probably more than recommended.

    • Jean Choi says

      July 8, 2024 at 10:22 am

      Thank you so much for leaving a review! Yes – if you love dressing, definitely double it.

  15. Katie says

    December 15, 2024 at 12:45 pm

    5 stars
    Amazing! I followed it precisely and it was fantastic!!
    Just like everyone else noted the dressing is spot on!!
    Will definitely go into rotation!
    Thank you for sharing, Jean. I’ll be checking out some more of your recipes.

  16. Kellie says

    January 24, 2025 at 9:23 pm

    Made this tonight, it was my favorite of all the paleo recipes I’ve made this month. It was so delicious I immediately shared it with my friends. I will be making this often.

  17. Courtney Hughes says

    January 27, 2025 at 4:46 pm

    5 stars
    THIS WAS SOOOO GOOD!! Even my picky eater enjoyed it! I made the sauce as is, and it was perfect. Thank you for an awesome recipe!!!

    • Jean Choi says

      January 28, 2025 at 5:04 pm

      Wonderful! So glad you enjoyed it, and thank you so much for leaving a review!

  18. Pam Podiak says

    February 8, 2025 at 10:21 am

    5 stars
    This dressing is outstanding!!!! This definitely a keeper in my house!

    • Jean Choi says

      February 10, 2025 at 5:09 pm

      Thank you so much!

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Hi, I’m Jean!

headshot of Jean Choi - blogger of What Great Grandma Ate

I’m a food lover and recipe developer living in Southern California. I love to share simple and approachable gluten-free recipes that are healthy but never sacrifice on flavor. I hope I can help you feel confident in the kitchen and inspire you to try out some new-to-you dishes!

More About Jean

Recipe Key

  • 3030 Min or Less
  • AIPAIP
  • EFEgg Free
  • LCLow Carb
  • NFNut Free
  • PPaleo
  • VVegan
  • W3Whole 30

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