Bang Bang Chicken Salad (Spicy, Crunchy & Easy!)
This bang bang chicken salad is the spicy, crunchy, flavor-packed lunch or dinner you didn’t know you needed. With a creamy chili oil dressing and loads of crisp veggies, it’s better than takeout—and somehow, the leftovers taste even better the next day.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 3 cups shredded chicken
- 4 cups Napa cabbage shredded
- 1 cup carrots julienned
- 1 cup mung bean sprouts
- 1/2 cup sliced cucumbers
- 2 green onions chopped
- 1/3 cup roasted peanuts
- Sesame seeds for garnish
Bang Bang Dressing
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp tahini
- 2 tbsp tamari sauce or soy sauce, if not gluten free
- 1-2 tbsp chili oil plus more, for garnish
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tsp sugar
- 1 garlic clove minced
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients for the bang bang dressing in a bowl and stir. You can add some water if you want to thin it out a bit.2 tbsp mayonnaise, 2 tbsp tahini, 2 tbsp tamari sauce, 1-2 tbsp chili oil, 1 tbsp rice vinegar, 2 tsp sugar, 1 garlic clove
- In a large mixing bowl, combine chicken, Napa cabbage, carrots, mung bean sprouts, cucumbers, and green onions. Drizzle dressing over everything.3 cups shredded chicken, 4 cups Napa cabbage, 1 cup carrots, 1 cup mung bean sprouts, 1/2 cup sliced cucumbers, 2 green onions
- Toss to combine. I like to squeeze the salad with my tongs a bit as I toss to wilt the cabbage and make it more tender.
- Divide and serve in salad plates or bowls. Drizzle with more chili oil if you want, then top with roasted peanuts and toasted sesame seeds. Enjoy!1/3 cup roasted peanuts, Sesame seeds
Video
Notes
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- Adjust the heat: Start with 1 tablespoon of chili oil in the dressing and taste before adding more. I personally use 2 tablespoons plus a drizzle on top for extra kick.
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- Use pre-cooked chicken: This recipe is a lifesaver when you’ve got leftover roasted or rotisserie chicken.
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- Thin the dressing: Add a splash of water if it feels too thick—it should coat the salad easily.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving - makes 4 | Calories: 454kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 82mg | Sodium: 713mg | Potassium: 753mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 5718IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 118mg | Iron: 3mg