If you’re looking for a vibrant, crunchy salad that’s bursting with sweet-savory flavors and comes together in just 15 minutes, this Quick Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad is exactly what you need. Crisp coleslaw mix gets tossed with tender rotisserie chicken, sweet-tart dried cranberries, toasted almonds, and fresh cilantro, all brought together with a tangy sesame-ginger dressing that makes every bite irresistible. This salad is perfect for easy weeknight lunches, meal prep, potlucks, or anytime you want something fresh, satisfying, and packed with texture and flavor without heating up the kitchen.
The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity—most of the work is already done for you with pre-shredded coleslaw mix and rotisserie chicken, so you just toss everything together and lunch is ready. The combination of crunchy vegetables, chewy cranberries, nutty almonds, and that addictive Asian-inspired dressing creates a flavor profile that keeps you coming back for more.
Complete Ingredient List (Serves 6-8)
This version is easy to scale up for larger gatherings or meal prep.
For the Salad
- 2 small bags coleslaw mix (about 12 cups)
- 4 cups rotisserie chicken, finely chopped or shredded
- 1½ cups toasted sliced almonds
- 1½ cups dried cranberries (orange-flavored from Trader Joe’s work great)
- ¾ cup red onion, finely diced
- 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- ¼ cup sesame seeds (black or regular)
- 1 cup sesame sticks (optional, for extra crunch)
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1 can mandarin oranges, drained (optional)
For the Sesame Ginger Dressing
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
- 3 tablespoons honey or brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons water
- Salt and pepper to taste
Step-By-Step Instructions
Prep time: 15 minutes
Total time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6-8
Layer the Salad
In a very large salad bowl, add the coleslaw mix as your base. Layer on the finely chopped rotisserie chicken, distributing it evenly throughout.
Add the toasted sliced almonds, dried cranberries, finely diced red onion, sesame seeds, sesame sticks if using, and fresh chopped cilantro. If using mandarin oranges, add them now as well.
Sprinkle the sliced green onions over the top. Don’t toss yet—you want to add the dressing first.
Make the Dressing
In a blender or food processor, combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, honey (or brown sugar), rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, minced ginger, minced garlic, and 3 tablespoons of water.
Blend on high speed until the dressing is completely smooth and emulsified. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. The dressing should be tangy, slightly sweet, and well-balanced.
Dress and Toss
Right before serving (not earlier, or the salad will get soggy), lightly drizzle the dressing over the salad mixture according to how moist you like your salad. Start with about half the dressing and add more as needed—you may have leftover dressing, which can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.
Gently toss everything together until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing. Taste and add more dressing if desired.
Serve
Serve immediately while the vegetables are still crisp and crunchy. This salad is best eaten fresh, but you can store components separately if meal prepping.
Tips for the Best Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad
Toast the almonds yourself for maximum flavor—just spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 5-7 minutes until golden and fragrant, or microwave them on a paper towel for 1 minute. Don’t dress the salad until right before serving, as the cabbage will wilt and lose its crunch. If making ahead for weeknight lunches, store the salad components and dressing separately in meal prep containers, then toss together just before eating. Use orange-flavored dried cranberries for extra citrus brightness. Save leftover dressing in a jar in the fridge—it’s delicious on other salads too. For extra protein, add shelled edamame or grilled shrimp. Make it nut-free by substituting sunflower seeds for the almonds.
Variations and Customizations
Add shredded carrots or thinly sliced red bell peppers for extra color and crunch. Use grilled chicken breast instead of rotisserie for a fresher flavor. Try cashews instead of almonds for a richer, creamier nut flavor. Add crispy wonton strips or chow mein noodles instead of sesame sticks. For a spicier kick, add a teaspoon of sriracha or chili garlic sauce to the dressing. Make it vegetarian by omitting the chicken and adding more edamame or crispy tofu. Swap in kale or mixed greens for some of the cabbage for a different texture. Add fresh herbs like mint or basil along with the cilantro for extra brightness.
Nutrition Snapshot (Per Serving)
This salad is packed with protein from the chicken (about 20-25 grams per serving), healthy fats from the almonds and sesame oil, fiber from the vegetables and cranberries, and vitamins and minerals from the fresh produce. The cabbage provides vitamin C and K, while the cranberries add antioxidants. It’s a well-balanced meal that’s satisfying and nutritious, perfect for keeping you energized through the afternoon. You can lighten it by using less dressing or more vegetables and less chicken.
Why This Works So Well for TikTok and Pinterest
The Quick Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad is incredibly photogenic with its colorful mix of purple cabbage, orange carrots, red cranberries, white chicken, and golden almonds all tossed together. The tossing action and the glossy dressing coating everything makes for satisfying video content, and the “perfect weeknight lunch” hook resonates with viewers looking for easy, delicious meal prep ideas. For Pinterest, focus on bright, colorful overhead shots showing the fully assembled salad in a large bowl, or styled shots with individual servings in meal prep containers ready for the week. Close-ups highlighting the texture and variety of ingredients also perform well. The Asian fusion angle and quick 15-minute prep time make this recipe highly shareable.
Serve this vibrant salad as a complete meal on its own, pack it in meal prep containers for easy weekday lunches, or pair it with egg rolls or spring rolls for a full Asian-inspired meal. Once you try it, you’ll understand why this easy, flavorful salad has become such a favorite for busy weeknight lunches, potlucks, and meal prep—it’s fresh, crunchy, satisfying, and absolutely delicious.