If you’ve ever craved something crisp, fresh, and full of flavor—but also filling and high in protein—this salad is it.

I first made this Asian crunch salad with sesame chicken on a night when I was so done with boring greens. I wanted something with color, texture, and a punch of flavor… and this combo hit all the right notes. Crunchy cabbage, sweet carrots, juicy sesame chicken, and a simple ginger-sesame dressing? Chef’s kiss.

It’s now one of my favorite reset meals—bright, satisfying, and surprisingly easy to throw together.

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 1 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil

• 1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce (or tamari)

• 1 tsp sesame oil

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

• 1/2 tsp ground ginger

For the Salad:

• 3 cups shredded green cabbage

• 1 cup shredded purple cabbage

• 1/2 cup shredded carrots

• 1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced

• 2 green onions, chopped

• 1 tbsp sesame seeds

• Optional: sliced almonds or crushed peanuts for crunch

For the Ginger-Sesame Dressing:

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp rice vinegar

• 1 tsp sesame oil

• 1 tsp honey or maple syrup

• 1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger

• 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard

• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the chicken: In a bowl, toss chicken breasts with soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic powder, and ground ginger. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil and cook chicken for 5–6 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Let rest, then slice thinly.

2. Make the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together all dressing ingredients until smooth.

3. Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine shredded cabbage, carrots, red pepper, green onions, and sesame seeds. Add sliced chicken on top.

4. Drizzle with dressing and toss just before serving. Add sliced almonds or peanuts for extra crunch, if desired.

Why I Love This Salad

This salad is anything but boring. It’s crunchy, colorful, and full of flavor, but still clean and nourishing. It’s one of my favorite ways to reset after a busy day (or a weekend of not-so-clean eating) because it leaves me feeling light, satisfied, and totally recharged.

Plus, it keeps well for lunch the next day, which is always a win in my book.

Nutrition Information (Per Serving – Makes 2)

• Calories: 390

• Protein: 32g

• Carbohydrates: 16g

• Fiber: 5g

• Fat: 22g