• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

gathered nutrition

  • About
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch + Dinner
    • Side Dishes
    • Snacks
    • Dessert
  • Wellness
    • Skincare and Beauty
  • Favorites
    • Discount Codes
    • Kitchen Essentials
    • Chicago Restaurants
  • Contact

Asian-Inspired Cashew Chicken Salad

August 18, 2020 by Mia Zarlengo 11 Comments

cashew chicken salad and rice on a plate with fork

I can’t remember the last time I loved a salad this munch! This Asian-inspired salad has all the flavor, crunch, nutrients, and simplicity I could want in a big salad. I am obsessed!

This salad is gluten free, soy free, and dairy free. It’s a super healthy meal that tastes like you ordered out. Salads at restaurants are always better at home it seems like…until now. This salad truly tastes like something I would order at a restaurant! It’s heavenly.

cashew chicken salad and rice on a platter

The simple vinaigrette is out of this world. SO much flavor! I haven’t made it with any subs, so I recommend leaving as is for best results!

You can easily make a double or triple batch of the dressing for the week! Such a good meal prep staple, or for feeding a crowd/big family!

asian vinaigrette in a jar with gold spoon
cashew chicken salad and rice on a platter with jar of salad dressing

This salad is seriously so good. The crunchy roasted cashews with the fresh crunchy veggies and rice is just the perfect combo. The vinaigrette really ties everything together.

If you’ve got some leftover chicken and rice on hand, this is the perfect way to use it! If that’s the case, then you’ve got yourself a no-cook dinner! Couldn’t be more simple.

I love to buy rotisserie chicken for this salad, but you can of course grill or shred your own! To keep this vegetarian, tofu would be delicious in this.

I can’t wait to hear when you make this one! Enjoy! xo

Print
clock clock icon cutlery cutlery icon flag flag icon folder folder icon instagram instagram icon pinterest pinterest icon facebook facebook icon print print icon squares squares icon

Asian-Inspired Salad

★★★★★ 5 from 7 reviews
  • Author: Mia Zarlengo
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings 1x
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
Print
Pin

Description

An Asian-inspired salad with the best healthy Asian vinaigrette. Gluten free, dairy free, and soy free!


Scale

Ingredients

For the dressing (for 2 servings):

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp coconut aminos
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar 
  • 1/2 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 clove of garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1/2 of a green onion, diced
  • 1/2 tsp sesame seeds
  • 1/8 tsp ground ginger
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes, more for extra spice
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For the salad:

  • 1 cup rice, white or brown
  • 2 cups mixed greens
  • 1/4 cup roasted cashews
  • 1–2 carrots, julienne sliced
  • 1–2 baby cucumbers, julienne sliced
  • Leftover shredded chicken

Instructions

  1. If you don’t have leftover rice and/or chicken, cook that first.
  2. Whisk all ingredients for the dressing together (or shake up in a jar). Set aside to let flavors come together while preparing the salad.
  3. Layer the salad with rice, mixed greens, carrot and cucumber, chicken, and roasted cashews. Pour dressing over the top. Serve and enjoy!

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @gatherednutrition on Instagram

Filed Under: Lunch + Dinner, Recipes, Side Dishes

Previous Post: « Zucchini Lasagna Roll Ups (gluten free)
Next Post: Super Simple Chicken + Cauliflower Rice Paleo Enchiladas »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Micaela

    August 22, 2020 at 2:33 am

    Your recipes never fail me! I was just excited to find another simple GF/DF dinner option for 2 that used much of what I already had in the house. But my boyfriend, who is hard to impress, actually said this meal was one of his favorites! Next time I’ll probably double the dressing. Keep em comin!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Mia Zarlengo

      August 25, 2020 at 4:49 pm

      Omg you are SO sweet! Thank you sooo much Micaela!! xoxo

      Reply
  2. Taylor

    August 26, 2020 at 6:00 pm

    Obsessed with this recipe! The sauce is the best I’ve been using it all week!

    Reply
  3. Laurel

    August 26, 2020 at 10:25 pm

    In love!! Thank you for a healthy, yet delicious dinner. I wouldn’t change a thing!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  4. Caty

    August 27, 2020 at 1:13 am

    This was amazing! Perfect for an easy date night!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  5. Hayley Daen

    September 5, 2020 at 5:23 am

    Super quick to make and really delicious! Leftovers might even have been better the next day.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Mia Zarlengo

      September 10, 2020 at 12:47 pm

      Thank you so much Hayley! xo

      Reply
  6. Rachael R

    September 11, 2020 at 1:24 am

    Absolutely delicious! Roasted cashews gave it a nice touch. The dressing will definitely be a new staple.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Mia Zarlengo

      September 11, 2020 at 3:40 pm

      Thank you so much Rachel! xo

      Reply
  7. Kelsey

    January 15, 2021 at 8:49 pm

    I LOVE this salad. It’s such an easy work from home lunch, and feels like I’m eating a restaurant salad!! The dressing is delicious.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
  8. Andrea

    January 16, 2021 at 11:25 pm

    Loved this! It is light and refreshing but also so satisfying – everything you want in a salad! I’m not a huge cashew fan so I subbed peanuts…so good. When I made this for my boyfriend and he was convinced it was takeout!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

About me

Welcome! I am so happy you chose to gather around my table. My name is Mia Zarlengo, and I am a registered dietitian with a passion for simple healthy recipes, women's hormonal health, and overall wellness! Read More…

Click for my kitchen essentials

Click for my restaurant guide to Chicago

Follow me!

  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

gatherednutrition

by Mia Swinehart, MS, RD, LDN
new! creamy vegan lemon pesto sauce 🍝 packed wi new! creamy vegan lemon pesto sauce 🍝 packed with nourishing ingredients and takes 5 minute to make!! a new go-to around here- it’s so light, fresh and creamy. grab the recipe at the link in my bio! 

https://gatherednutrition.com/vegan-white-bean-lemon-pesto-cream-sauce/
hi my first ever youtube video is live! it’s a g hi my first ever youtube video is live! it’s a grocery haul 💕💐 

linked in stories!
cherry ice cream smoothies for 2 🍒🍦our curre cherry ice cream smoothies for 2 🍒🍦our current fave. i finally put this one up on the blog!  this smoothie is packed with antioxidants + healthy fats for a filling and energizing smoothie. be sure not to skip the almond extract- it gives it the best flavor!! link in bio! 

https://gatherednutrition.com/cherry-ice-cream-smoothie-vegan-paleo/
definitely not here to brag about my summer roll w definitely not here to brag about my summer roll wrapping game (🥲), BUT you do need this spicy almond butter sauce in your life!! this is one of my weekly go-to meals. i use whatever i have on hand- these have butter lettuce, shredded cabbage, bell pepper, and air fried tofu. so perfect!! you can also make the sauce nut free with sunflower butter- link in bio for the recipe! 

for the tofu:
press out liquid, slice into strips, and spray with a little avocado oil. season with any seasonings you like, then air fry at 400 for 10 mins or so until crisp. they will puff up a lot but deflate once out of the air fryer! 

https://gatherednutrition.com/simple-spicy-almond-butter-sauce/

Privacy Policy

Footer

Gathered Nutrition, Inc.

Copyright © 2021 gathered nutrition on the Foodie Pro Theme