Chinese Chicken Crispy Rice Salad

The newest addition to my repertoire of Viral Crispy Rice Salad recipes is here! Introducing my Chinese Chicken Crispy Rice Salad, a fresh and modern twist on the classic Chinese Chicken Salad. This salad is loaded with tender rotisserie chicken, juicy mandarin oranges, and fresh red bell pepper slices, which are loaded up on a bed of shredded cabbage and tossed in a delicious creamy dressing. Oh, and let’s not forget the most important part — the crispy rice that truly takes this salad to the next level!

Friends, I am back with another one of my cult-favorite viral recipes, made perfect for the summer. This is my Chinese Chicken Crispy Rice Salad, and it is the next addition in my Viral Crispy Rice Salad lineup. If you’ve yet to try out my Crispy Rice Salads, or haven’t seen these recipes floating around social media yet, then let me be the first to introduce you to this magical creation. And yes, it really IS magical, if I do say so myself. These salads are not only packed with color, texture, and flavor, thanks to the rainbow of veggies and the creamy homemade dressing that is so good that you could drink it… but, they are loaded with chunks of delicious crispy rice. I am a firm believer that all salad recipes need a crunchy element to them, and the crispy rice makes for the perfect addition to this recipe!

The crispy rice starts with, you guessed it, rice, that is cooked and cooled to perfection. You can use any rice of your choosing, but I like to use jasmine rice. Then, the rice is lined up on a parchment-lined baking sheet, tossed with seasonings (in this case, a little sesame oil, soy sauce, and maple syrup) and then baked until it’s toasted and crispy. It’s so good, you’ll want to eat the entire tray!

If you’ve ever had a Chinese Chicken Salad before, then you’ll find this recipe both familiar and innovative. It has all of the classic ingredients, from not just one, but two types of cabbage, sliced red bell pepper, tender rotisserie chicken, and, of course, the mandarin oranges. Add in the crispy rice and the creamy dressing, and truly, what is not to love?

What You Need to Make This Viral Crispy Rice Salad

• Rice: Of course, it wouldn’t be a crispy rice salad without the rice! I like using jasmine rice for this recipe, but any type of rice will work well.
• Toasted Sesame Oil: A touch of sesame oil adds a toasty, nutty flavor to the rice that is truly unbeatable.
• Maple Syrup: Maple syrup adds a touch of sweetness to the crispy rice that pairs perfectly with the rest of the ingredients in this recipe.
• Low Sodium Soy Sauce: If you want to keep this salad gluten-free, opt to use a gluten-free soy sauce alternative, such as tamari or coconut aminos. If not, low sodium soy sauce works well!
• Champagne Vinegar: You can use champagne vinegar or rice wine vinegar, in this recipe. Either one works well!
• Avocado Oil: To make the dressing, I like to use a neutral-flavored, better-for-you oil, such as avocado oil.
• Seasonings: To season the dressing, you’ll need freshly grated ginger, onion powder, and ground black pepper.
• Cabbage: You’ll need two types of cabbage to make this salad — Napa cabbage and purple cabbage. The combination of both adds fiber, color, and texture to this salad. And before you ask, yes, both of them are totally necessary!
• Cilantro: I love adding in lots of cilantro for that delicious, herby flavor.
• Green Onions: Thin slices of green onions are a staple in Chinese Chicken Salads, which also makes them perfect for this recipe.
• Red Bell Pepper: I love the crunch that the red bell pepper adds to this salad.
• Mandarins: It wouldn’t be a Chinese Chicken Salad without the tender mandarin oranges, in my opinion. I like to use canned mandarin oranges — just be sure that they don’t contain added sugars, or the salad will be too sweet!
• Rotisserie Chicken:  I like to keep my recipes (especially my salads) as easy to throw together as possible, which is why I love using a rotisserie chicken to make things simple.
• Sesame Seeds: Sesame seeds may be small, but they add the perfect finishing touch to this recipe!

How to Make This Fresh Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe

To make this salad, start by preparing the crispy rice. Cook the rice according to your preferred method and allow it to cool completely. Then, preheat your oven to 400 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and add the cooked and cooled rice on top, spreading it out in an even layer.

Add the sesame oil, soy sauce, and maple syrup to the rice, tossing it until it’s fully coated.
Transfer the rice into the oven and allow it to bake for 25-30 minutes, until it’s crispy and golden. Be sure to toss it halfway through to ensure that it doesn’t burn.

While the rice is in the oven, prepare the dressing. Add all of the dressing ingredients (the soy sauce, champagne vinegar, avocado oil, toasted sesame oil, grated ginger, onion powder, and ground black pepper) to a small bowl and whisk to fully combine.

Taste and adjust the seasonings as needed, then set it aside while you prepare the salad. Wash and chop the napa cabbage, purple cabbage, green onions, cilantro, and red bell pepper, and add it to a large bowl. Drain the mandarins and shred the rotisserie chicken, then add them to the salad bowl.

Once the crisp rice is done, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before tossing it into the salad, alongside the sesame seeds. Finally, pour the dressing on top. Toss until the salad ingredients are fully combined, then serve and enjoy!

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! To see more recipes and behind the scenes, follow along on Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube! I’m also now on Pinterest, so stop by and take a look at what’s new.

** Photography by Tanya Pilgrim