I want you to take a tasty adventure with an easy dish that will elevate your overall taste – try the mandarin chicken salad recipe.
In this blog post, we will discuss the complete process of preparing the mandarin chicken salad.
Later, we will also look at variations, pro tips to level up the taste, storage and freezing tips and much more.
What is Mandarin Chicken Salad?
Mandarin Chicken Salad is a refresing and vibrant meal that mixes tender chicken, with crunchy veggies, mandarin oranges and a nuts for a crunchy flavour.
They are generally served on a mix of greens and contain a perfect mix of flavours with a zesty, sweet and savoury twist.
It is a healthy dish which is easy to prepare, making it suitable for parties, dinner or lunches.
With its comforting ingredients and stunning presentation, the mandarin chicken salad is both visually appealing and a tasty option.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Fresh and Flavorful: The mix of juicy mandarin oranges, tender chicken, and crunchy vegetables provides a vibrant dish bursting with flavour in each bite.
Nutritious Ingredients: This salad is a nice choice that offers lean protein from the chicken, plus vitamins from the fresh vegetables, and healthy fats from nuts or avocado.
Versatile and Customizable: This recipe is very flexible and can easily be customized based on your taste preference and dietary needs.
You can add or switch ingredients like other fruits, nuts, or dressings to make your version.
Quick and Easy to Prepare: This salad is very quick to prepare with minimal cooking time, making it great for busy weeknights or last-minute get-togethers.
Perfect for Meal Prep: Mandarin Chicken Salad is great for meal prep, as it lasts well in the refrigerator. You can easily make-ahead and enjoy throughout the week.
Tips
Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh vegetables and fruits will bring out the flavour and texture of the salad.
Be sure to select crisp greens, ripe mandarin oranges, and vibrant vegetables to get the full pallet of taste.
Properly Cook the Chicken: Any form of preparation grilling, baking, or poaching-must cook the chicken to the correct internal temperature (165°F or 75°C)-food-safe tender.
Pre-marinating the chicken may impart more flavour.
Balance Flavors: It is recommended to balance the imparted flavour of sweet, savoury, and tart.
It really tastes good when the sweetness of mandarin oranges is well with their savoury chicken and the tartness of the dressing.
Add Crunch: Add some crunch to your salad, for example, by adding some chopped almonds, walnuts, or crispy wonton strips.
This enhances texture and makes your salad more satisfying.
Create Your Own Dressing: In general, homemade dressings tend to be fresh and healthier than store-bought options. It’s in your best interest to adjust any sweetness, acidity, or seasoning, according to your taste.
Variations
Asian-Inspired Mandarin Chicken Salad: Try using things like shredded cabbage, snap peas, and edamame.
Make a sesame-ginger dressing, top it with crispy wonton strips and now you have something with a fun new flavour.
Mandarin Chicken Salad with Avocado: Add diced avocado to enjoy some creaminess while providing some healthy fats to the salad.
The creamy, rich texture of avocado harmonizes beautifully with the sweet mandarin oranges and makes the salad feel more satisfying.
Mandarin Chicken Salad with Quinoa: Stir in some cooked quinoa for a protein boost and texture.
This option leaves you feeling fuller and allows for more nutritional power, making it perfect for a light lunch or dinner.
Spicy Mandarin Chicken Salad: Add sliced jalapeños or a spicy chilli dressing to create a spicy salad.
The spice balances the sweetness of the mandarin oranges while bringing exciting flavours together.
Mediterranean Mandarin Chicken Salad: Try mixing in ingredients like feta cheese, olives, and cherry tomatoes.
Use a lemon-olive oil dressing to lend a Mediterranean touch while continuing to combine sweet and savoury flavours.
Serving Suggestions
Crusty Bread, Crusty Rolls: Add a warm baguette, ciabatta, or dinner rolls to the side, rounding out the salad well while providing satisfaction when dipping and crunchy goodness.
Soup: A light soup that matches the salad’s lightness, such as a miso soup, vegetable broth, or even a creamy tomato soup, is a reassuring addition to balance a light salad.
Fruit Platter: This can consist of lots of different kinds of fruits all arranged together on a nice plate, such as this platter the citrusy taste of it cooled by their bursting with the fruits.
It adds a sweet and savoury contrast to the salad.
Cheese Platter: Choose from a varying list of cheeses ranging from goat cheese, feta, to mild cheddar.
Some nuts and dried fruits served alongside would complete your lovely cheese board.
Grilled Vegetables: Grilled or roasted vegetables, like zucchini, bell peppers, or asparagus, can add smoky nutrition, through flavor, to the meal.
Storing and freezing
Storing
- You can store the salad in an air-tight container to avoid mositure loss and maintain the freshness of the salad.
- Keep the salad and the dressing separate until you’re ready to consume.
- You can store the salad in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- For the make-ahead, consider prepping the ingredients separately like dressing, vegetables and chicken and mix them right before serving.
Freezing
- It is not preferable to freeze the mandarn chicken salad as the texture of fruits, veggies may become musy while thawing.
- For freezing the salad, you can freeze the cooked chicken separately. Put it in a freezer bag or air-tight container.
- You can freeze it for up to 3 months.
- In the case of leftover vegetables or mandarin oranges, it is advisable to consume them fresh instead of freezing, as the quality may differ.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the mandarin chicken salad offers a flexible and delicious meal containing the perfect combination of textures and flavours.
With sweet mandarin oranges, tender chicken and crispy vegetables, you can consider it as a great option for a healthy meal.
So why don’t you give the mandarin chicken salad a try? Grab your ingredients and start enjoy the process.
Don’t forget to share your experience in the comments below.
Read More:- Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Mandarin Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- For the Salad:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast shredded or diced (grilled or rotisserie chicken works well)
- 1 cup mandarin oranges drained (canned or fresh)
- 4 cups mixed salad greens such as romaine, spinach, or spring mix
- 1 cup sliced cucumbers
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds or walnuts optional
- 1/4 cup red onion thinly sliced (optional)
- 1/2 cup bell peppers sliced (optional)
- For the Dressing:
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari for gluten-free
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- First of all, cook the chicken breast by baking, grilling or poaching. Let it cool and dice or shred it.
- In a little bowl, mix the rice vinegar, olive oil, honey, soy sauce, semsame oil, salt and pepper. Mix everything until well combined.
- In a bog bowl, combine the shredded chicken, mixed greens, carrots, cucumbers, mandarin oranges, red onion, almonds, and bell peppers.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss it to combine by making sure everything is well coated.
- You can portion the salad into plates or bowls before serving. You can also put it in the refrigerator for a colder version of salad.
