A Chinese BBQ Chicken Chop Salad is a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and crunchy elements, offering a fresh take on classic barbecue flavors. With tender grilled chicken coated in a flavorful BBQ sauce, this salad combines crispy vegetables, a tangy dressing, and a touch of sweetness for a satisfying and vibrant meal. It’s the ideal dish when you’re looking for something light yet packed with rich flavors.
The BBQ chicken is the centerpiece of this salad. Marinated in a tangy Chinese BBQ sauce made from soy sauce, hoisin sauce, honey, garlic, and five-spice powder, the chicken becomes juicy and flavorful. After grilling, the chicken develops a smoky char, adding depth to the dish. Thinly sliced into strips, it’s easy to incorporate the savory chicken into every bite of the salad.
The salad itself is a colorful mix of fresh vegetables. A variety of leafy greens, such as romaine or napa cabbage, serve as the base. They add a crisp, refreshing crunch that pairs wonderfully with the tender chicken. Shredded carrots, bell peppers, and cucumber add color and texture, while a sprinkle of green onions brings a hint of freshness and brightness to the dish.
To add extra flavor and texture, the salad is topped with roasted peanuts or cashews. These crunchy nuts provide a satisfying contrast to the tender chicken and crisp vegetables, enhancing the overall experience. The peanuts also complement the sweetness of the BBQ sauce, bringing a lovely nutty flavor to the dish.
The dressing for this salad is key to bringing everything together. A mix of sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and a bit of honey creates a tangy, slightly sweet dressing that ties the grilled BBQ chicken and vegetables together. It’s savory enough to complement the rich flavors of the chicken, while the slight sweetness enhances the overall taste.
For an extra layer of flavor, garnish the salad with sesame seeds or cilantro, adding a burst of freshness and a mild, aromatic touch.
This Chinese BBQ Chicken Chop Salad is a great option for lunch or dinner. It’s a healthy yet flavorful meal, packed with protein from the chicken, healthy fats from the nuts, and plenty of vitamins from the vegetables. Whether you’re craving something fresh and crunchy or rich and savory, this salad has it all.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts boneless
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 4 cups mixed salad greens
- 1 cucumber thinly sliced
- 1 carrot shredded
- 1/4 cup cilantro chopped
- 1/4 cup peanuts chopped
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together hoisin sauce, soy sauce, honey, and vegetable oil.
- Place chicken breasts in a resealable plastic bag and pour half of the marinade over the chicken. Seal the bag and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or overnight.
- Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Remove chicken from the marinade, discarding the marinade. Grill chicken for 6-8 minutes per side, or until cooked through. Remove from grill and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Slice the chicken into thin strips.
- In a large bowl, combine salad greens, cucumber, carrot, cilantro, peanuts, and the remaining half of the marinade. Toss to coat.
- Divide the salad mixture among 4 plates and top with sliced grilled chicken. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
This salad is absolutely fantastic! The chicken is so flavorful and the crunch from the peanuts is a nice touch. Will make again!
My kids loved it! Especially the peanuts. Easy to make, too! 👍
Way too much honey for my taste, felt like I was eating candy salad. Yikes!
Candy salad? Really? Honey isn’t that sweet! Maybe you didn’t wash your greens properly? 🥴
I actually love the sweetness! The honey gives it a nice balance. Just use less next time if you don’t like it. 👍
I’m not sure about mixing hoisin with salad, seems weird. Might just stick to regular dressing next time.
This is the best salad ever!! Chicken was so juicy and I could eat those peanuts all day.
I totally agree! The chicken is the star of this salad. So delicious!
Sounds good, but can you really taste the peanuts? I prefer almonds.
I love the idea of mixing BBQ with salad, but my chicken was dry 😩. Anyone else have this problem?
Chicken salad? Nah, not for me. I’ll stick to burgers. 🥴
Are you supposed to eat it cold? I served it warm and it was great, but I feel like I went off-script. 🤔
Absolutely loved this recipe! The flavors were amazing. Will make again for sure!
So glad you enjoyed it! The combination of flavors really makes this dish pop! 🌟
I used honey mustard instead of honey because I ran out, and it turned out fine. LOL