Crispy Sesame Chicken Salad – Better Than Takeout
Crispy Sesame Chicken Salad – Better Than Takeout. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the crispy chicken and creamy dressing. The trick I discovered is using cornstarch for extra crispiness. This salad is fresh, filling, and perfect for meal prepping. It’s similar to my Mango Salad but with a savory twist. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crunchy Asian Chopped Salad and Edamame Peanut Crunch Salad.
Why This Crispy Sesame Chicken Salad – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- Irresistible crispy chicken
- Fresh, crunchy veggies
- Creamy, tangy sesame dressing
- Easy to meal prep
What You'll Need for Crispy Sesame Chicken Salad – Better Than Takeout
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- chicken breasts
- cabbage
- carrots
- green onions
- sesame seeds
- soy sauce
- sesame oil
- rice vinegar
- honey
- garlic
- ginger
- Optional: toasted sesame seeds
- Optional: chopped peanuts
- Optional: crushed red pepper flakes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Saves time and energy → See on Amazon
- Food Processor — Makes prep work a breeze → See on Amazon
How to Make Crispy Sesame Chicken Salad – Better Than Takeout
- Step 1: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Toss with cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
- Step 2: Cook chicken in a large skillet until crispy. Remove and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, sauté garlic and ginger. Add cabbage, carrots, and cook until tender.
- Step 4: Whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, and cornstarch. Pour over veggies.
- Step 5: Toss cooked chicken with veggies and dressing. Top with green onions and sesame seeds.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Crispy Sesame Chicken Salad – Better Than Takeout
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcrowd the pan when cooking chicken. Cook in batches if needed to maintain crispiness.
- Tip: For a spicy kick, add some Sriracha to the dressing.
- Tip: To make ahead, prepare the dressing separately and toss with veggies and chicken just before serving.
Storing & Reheating Crispy Sesame Chicken Salad – Better Than Takeout
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the dressing and chop veggies up to 1 day ahead.
Freezing Crispy Sesame Chicken Salad – Better Than Takeout
Not recommended for freezing.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For extra crispy chicken, use a combination of cornstarch and flour for coating.
- Best substitution: Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts for more flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the dressing and chop veggies up to 1 day ahead. Toss with chicken just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the dressing is too thick, thin it out with a little water or chicken broth.
Want to level up this recipe?
Good quality non-stick skillet — Ensures even cooking and easy cleanup → Check price on Amazon
Crispy Sesame Chicken Salad – Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- chicken breasts
- cabbage
- carrots
- green onions
- sesame seeds
Seasonings
- soy sauce
- sesame oil
- rice vinegar
- honey
- garlic
- ginger
Optional Toppings
- toasted sesame seeds
- chopped peanuts
- crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Toss with cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
- Step 2: Cook chicken in a large skillet until crispy. Remove and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, sauté garlic and ginger. Add cabbage, carrots, and cook until tender.
- Step 4: Whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, and cornstarch. Pour over veggies.
- Step 5: Toss cooked chicken with veggies and dressing. Top with green onions and sesame seeds.
Notes
- Chef tip: For extra crispy chicken, use a combination of cornstarch and flour for coating.
- Best substitution: Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breasts for more flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the dressing and chop veggies up to 1 day ahead. Toss with chicken just before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the dressing is too thick, thin it out with a little water or chicken broth.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended for freezing.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: Prepare the dressing and chop veggies up to 1 day ahead.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 20g
- Carbs: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 75mg
- Sat. Fat: 3g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Crispy Sesame Chicken Salad – Better Than Takeout FAQs
Overcrowding the pan or not cooking the chicken long enough can cause it to become soggy. Cook in batches and ensure the chicken is cooked through and crispy.
Yes, prepare the dressing and chop veggies up to 1 day ahead. Toss with chicken just before serving to keep the chicken crispy.
Olive oil or avocado oil can be used as a substitute for sesame oil. The flavor will be slightly different, but still delicious.
Yes, tofu, shrimp, or pork can be used instead of chicken. Adjust cooking time accordingly.
Yes, this recipe is gluten-free. Ensure your soy sauce is gluten-free and use cornstarch instead of flour for coating the chicken.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Crispy Sesame Chicken Salad – Better Than Takeout and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
