Asian-Inspired Salad Recipes for Kids

Asian-Inspired Chicken Salad with Cashews

This colorful chicken salad combines crisp lettuce, tender chicken, crunchy cashews, water chestnuts and chow mein noodles with a sweet and tangy homemade dressing. It's a quick main-dish salad that's easy to customize with your favorite vegetables.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes (for dressing)
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

• 8 cups chopped iceberg lettuce, romaine lettuce or mixed salad greens
• 2 cups cooked chicken, cubed or shredded
• 1 cup sliced water chestnuts, drained
• 1 cup thawed green peas or thinly sliced snow peas
• 1 cup roasted cashews
• 1 (3-ounce) can chow mein noodles
• 2 green onions, sliced (optional)

Sweet and Tangy Dressing

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons honey or sugar
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water

Directions

1. Wash and dry the lettuce or salad greens and place them in a large serving bowl.
2. Add the cooked chicken, water chestnuts, peas, cashews and green onions.
3. In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch and water until smooth.
4. Add the oil, vinegar, ketchup, soy sauce and honey.
5. Transfer the mixture to a small saucepan and cook, stirring constantly, until it gently boils and thickens slightly, about 2 minutes.
6. Allow the dressing to cool completely before using.
7. Just before serving, sprinkle the chow mein noodles over the salad, drizzle with the dressing and gently toss until everything is coated.
8. Serve immediately while the noodles remain crisp.

Crispy Wonton Chicken Salad

This crispy wonton chicken salad combines lettuce, spinach, tender chicken, Swiss cheese and cottage cheese with crunchy baked wonton strips. The cottage cheese adds creaminess, while the wontons add a crisp finish.

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Bake Time: 6 to 8 minutes
Total Time: About 33 minutes
Yield:  6 to 8 main-dish servings or 10 to 12 side servings

Salad and Wonton Ingredients

• 8 cups torn lettuce or chopped romaine
• 3 cups fresh baby spinach, washed and dried
• 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
• 3/4 cup Swiss cheese, cut into small cubes or strips
• 1 cup small-curd cottage cheese, well drained if watery
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 4 green onions, sliced, optional
• 12 wonton wrappers
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Sweet Vinaigrette

• 1/3 cup white vinegar or rice vinegar
• 2/3 cup mild vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon grated onion
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Cut the wonton wrappers into thin strips.
3. Place the strips on a baking sheet, lightly brush or toss them with the vegetable oil, and spread them into a single layer.
4. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring once, until the wonton strips are crisp and lightly golden. Allow them to cool completely.
5. Place the lettuce, spinach, chicken, Swiss cheese, carrots and green onions in a large serving bowl. Add the cottage cheese in small spoonfuls across the top.
6. In a separate bowl or jar, combine the vinegar, oil, sugar, grated onion, salt and dry mustard. Whisk or shake until well blended.
7. Drizzle the dressing over the salad shortly before serving and toss gently.
8. Add the cooled wonton strips last so they remain crisp.

Mandarin Orange Salad

This refreshing salad combines crisp greens, juicy mandarin oranges, crunchy almonds and a light citrus dressing. It's a colorful side dish that pairs well with grilled chicken, sandwiches or Asian-inspired meals.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

• 8 cups mixed salad greens
• 1 (11-ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
• 1 cup sugar snap peas, thinly sliced
• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

Citrus Dressing

• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Pinch of salt
• Pinch of black pepper

Directions

1. Wash and dry the salad greens and place them into a large serving bowl.
2. Add the mandarin oranges, peas and sliced red onion.
3. Melt the butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Stir in the almonds and brown sugar and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until lightly toasted.
4. Spread the almonds immediately onto parchment paper and allow them to cool completely. An adult should handle the hot skillet and caramelized sugar.
5. Whisk together the orange juice, olive oil, rice vinegar, honey, mustard, salt and pepper.
6. Just before serving, drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently.
7. Sprinkle the cooled sugared almonds over the top and serve immediately.

Homemade Sesame-Ginger Dressing

This quick homemade dressing brings together sweet, savory and tangy flavors that pair well with chicken salads, cabbage salads, noodle salads and fresh vegetables.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Yield: About 3/4 cup

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup olive oil or another mild cooking oil
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
• 1 garlic clove, minced

Directions

1. Add all of the ingredients to a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
2. Seal the jar and shake well until the dressing is fully combined.
3. Taste and adjust with a little more honey or vinegar if desired.
4. Refrigerate until ready to use and shake again before serving.