The Best Sweet & Sour Chicken Salad
Sweet & Sour Chicken Salad is a dish that is full of flavor and texture. The chicken is cooked before you start making the salad. I actually barbecued the chicken and set it aside. You can see all the vegetables below that make this salad magical with all the different ingredients.
The result is a salad that is both flavorful and nutritious. You’re going to love this salad simply because it’s so unique and delicious!
The key to this salad is to use a good quality sweet and sour sauce. You can use a homemade sauce, but I used a store-bought sauce to make the dressing. Just make sure that the sauce is not too sweet or too sour. You want it to be balanced so the salad doesn’t take the sweet or sour to extremes. This salad dressing is so good!
Kay, my friend, asked me if I had ever made a Sweet & Sour Chinese Chicken Salad. Yes, I have, but after reviewing her recipe I realized that this recipe is different than mine. I was so happy she shared her recipe with me.
Her recipe called for rice sticks. I botched cooking those, so I used uncooked Snack Ramen noodles instead. Thank you, Kay, for this fabulous recipe, it’s a keeper for sure!
Sweet & Sour Chicken Salad
Step One: Gather Ingredients
The first step in making this dish is to gather all the ingredients. Remember, for this dish, fresh is best! Don’t forget to invest in a good salad spinner!
Step two: Mix Ingredients
Grab a very large bowl and place the chicken, the chopped lettuce, chopped cabbage, shredded carrots, the bean sprouts, chopped green onions, sliced water chestnuts, the Mandarin oranges, and the almonds in the bowl so you can toss them together.
Set the bowl aside while you make the salad dressing. Grab a shaker bottle or your blender to mix all of the dressing ingredients together until smooth.
Finished Product
Crush or crumble the Snack Ramen-type noodles. Add the noodles to the salad right before serving. Enjoy.
Sweet & Sour Chicken Salad Recipe
- 5-6 cups boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked, and cut into bite-size pieces
- 6 cups package Spring Lettuce Mix, chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped purple cabbage
- 1/2-1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup bean sprouts
- 1/4 cup green onions, finely chopped
- 1/2 cups sliced water chestnuts
- 16- ounces of Mandarin Oranges, drained
- 1/2 cup slivered or sliced almonds
- 2 packages of Snack Ramen noodles (discard the sauce packet)
- 2 tablespoons sweet & sour sauce
- 1-1/2 teaspoons soy sauce
- 3/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 2-1/2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- dash of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
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Grab a very large bowl and place the chicken, the chopped lettuce, chopped cabbage, shredded carrots, the bean sprouts, chopped green onions, sliced water chestnuts, the Mandarin oranges, and the almonds in the bowl so you can toss them together.
2. Set the bowl aside while you make the salad dressing.
3. Crush or crumble the Snack Ramen-type noodles. Add the noodles to the salad right before serving.
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Grab a shaker bottle or your blender to mix all of the ingredients together until smooth.
Variation Options for Sweet & Sour Chicken Salad
There are several variations that you can try with the Sweet & Sour Chicken Salad:
- One variation is to add some cooked rice or cooked quinoa to the salad. This will add some extra carbs and fiber to the dish.
- You can also try adding some chopped peanuts or cashews to the salad. The nuts will add some crunch and flavor to the dish.
- And, if you want to make the salad a little spicier, you can add some red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Overall, Sweet & Sour Chicken Salad is a fantastic dish that is full of flavor and texture. Whether you want to add some extra carbs or spice things up a bit with some nuts, it’s easy to customize this salad to suit your tastes. So, go ahead and give it a try! You won’t be disappointed.
How to Store Sweet & Sour Chicken Salad
When storing Sweet & Sour Chicken Salad, it’s important to keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will help to prevent spoilage and maintain the freshness of the ingredients. You should try to use the salad within 2-3 days for the best results.
FAQ for Sweet & Sour Chicken Salad
What is the best way to chop the chicken for this salad?
The best way to chop the chicken for this salad is to use a sharp knife and chop it into small pieces. You can also use a food processor to chop the chicken, but make sure that you don’t over-process it. We like our chicken cut into bite-size pieces.
Can I use other types of chicken for this salad, like canned chicken or rotisserie chicken?
Yes, you can definitely use other types of chicken in this salad. If you are using canned or rotisserie chicken, simply chop it or separate the pieces as needed.
What is the best way to serve this salad?
The best way to serve this salad is right out of the large salad bowl. You can use the Sweet & Sour dressing, or I like to use a honey mustard dressing. You can also use a vinaigrette or your favorite store-bought dressing. Feel free to experiment and find the combination that works best for you and your family!
But for me, Kay’s Sweet & Sour dressing is the best I have ever tasted!
Other Salads to Checkout:
What can I serve with this salad?
Final Word
The next time you’re looking for a salad that the whole family will love, consider this Sweet & Sour Chicken Salad! I love eating salad, and I know my whole family does. It’s nice to switch up the salads you make every now and again. May God Bless this World, Linda!
I love this recipe! I love these types of salad during the summer – so refreshing. Thank you for sharing it with your readers.
Hi Kay, thank you for the 5 stars, my sweet friend! OH MY GOSH, this salad is so good!! My family loves it!! Thanks again for sharing it!!! Linda