Name: Quick & Easy Sesame Chicken Salad Bowl Recipe
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: US
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil, or to taste; 3 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts; Salt and ground black pepper to taste; 1 cup olive oil; 7 tablespoons white vinegar; 6 tablespoons soy sauce; 3 tablespoons minced fresh ginger; 3 tablespoons light brown sugar; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper, or to taste; 4 tablespoons sesame seeds; 1 (16 ounce) package mixed salad greens; 1 1/4 cups halved cherry tomatoes; 3/4 medium red onion, thinly sliced; 3 mandarin oranges, peeled and segmented

Elevate your everyday salad with this vibrant Sesame Chicken Salad! Tender chicken, glazed in a savory-sweet sesame dressing, mingles with crisp greens, juicy tomatoes, and bright mandarin oranges for a lunch or dinner that's both satisfying and refreshingly light.

Follow The Directions

01

Step

Prepare the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts, season generously with salt and pepper. Cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side, or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 165°F (74°C). Remove from skillet and set aside to cool. (Approximately 15 minutes)

02

Step

Whisk the Dressing: While the chicken is cooling, in a Mason jar or small bowl, combine olive oil, white vinegar, soy sauce, minced fresh ginger, light brown sugar, minced garlic, and crushed red pepper. Shake vigorously or whisk until well combined and emulsified. (Approximately 5 minutes)

03

Step

Assemble the Chicken: Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, chop it into bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, toss the chopped chicken with the prepared dressing and sesame seeds, ensuring the chicken is evenly coated. (Approximately 5 minutes)

04

Step

Build the Salad: In a large salad bowl, combine mixed salad greens, halved cherry tomatoes, and thinly sliced red onion. Gently mix in the dressed sesame chicken. (Approximately 3 minutes)

05

Step

Garnish and Serve: Top the salad with mandarin orange segments. Serve immediately and enjoy! (Approximately 2 minutes)

For an extra nutty flavor, toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat until lightly golden before adding them to the dressing. Be careful not to burn them!
Feel free to substitute other citrus fruits like clementines or tangerines for the mandarin oranges.
If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the amount of crushed red pepper or omit it altogether.
This salad is best served immediately, but the chicken can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.