Mandarin Chicken Salad with Asian Peanut Dressing and Crispy Noodles

This Mandarin Orange Chicken Salad is bright, refreshing, and loaded with sweet mandarin segments, crisp shredded cabbage, and crunchy slivered almonds. Tossed in a creamy, Asian-inspired “peanut” dressing made with almond butter, it’s an easy, flavorful option for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or packed lunches. Make an extra batch of the dressing and keep it in the refrigerator — it’s great on salads, roasted vegetables, and as a veggie dip.

This salad also pairs beautifully with glazed or crispy citrus proteins like orange chicken or orange-glazed salmon for a complete meal.

Mandarin Chicken Salad (Paleo, Whole30)

This straightforward Mandarin Chicken Salad combines cooked chicken with shredded green cabbage, radicchio (or purple cabbage), tatsoi or other baby greens, julienned carrots, scallions, slivered almonds, and canned mandarin oranges. The salad is finished with a rich, creamy Asian-style dressing made from almond or other nut butter, citrus concentrate, coconut aminos, rice vinegar, grated ginger and garlic, and olive oil.

The crisp greens and slightly bitter radicchio balance the sweet, silky dressing for a satisfying texture contrast. Tatsoi adds a mild, tender leaf similar to baby spinach; it’s optional but a nice addition if you can find it. This recipe is quick to assemble and lends itself well to shortcuts — use leftover or store-bought cooked chicken to make it even faster.

The best dressing for Mandarin Orange Chicken Salad

For a salad with lots of crunchy greens, choose a slightly thicker, creamier dressing so every bite is well coated and flavorful. The dressing used here is an Asian-style peanut sauce adapted for Paleo/Whole30 by using almond butter (or cashew/sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option) and coconut aminos in place of soy.

A small amount of canned mandarin juice concentrate adds natural sweetness and bright citrus flavor without adding refined sugar. If using canned mandarins, read labels and pick varieties preserved in natural fruit juice. The dressing keeps well in the fridge and will thicken when chilled; thin it with a splash more citrus juice or water before using if needed.

How to make Mandarin Orange Salad with Chicken

Assembly is very simple: place the shredded greens, tatsoi, carrots, scallions, chicken, and almonds in a large mixing bowl. Whisk or blend the dressing ingredients separately, then drizzle over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated. Finish with mandarin segments and a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds if desired. Serve at room temperature or slightly chilled.

Using fresh shredded cabbage gives the best texture and juiciness. If you prefer, substitute shredded purple cabbage for radicchio; radicchio’s mild bitterness pairs especially well with the sweet, nutty dressing. For extra flavor, try grilled teriyaki chicken, yakitori chicken, or crispy lemon-thyme chicken thighs.

How to customize and create your favorite version

This salad is very adaptable — you can swap ingredients or add proteins and toppings to suit your tastes. Key suggestions:

• Any shredded or chopped greens work: green cabbage, purple cabbage, radicchio, tatsoi, or mixed baby greens.
• Add grilled chicken, baked meatballs, or shrimp for a different protein profile.
• Swap almonds for walnuts or pecans, or omit nuts and use sunflower seed butter in the dressing for a nut-free option.

Can you use tangerines?

Tangerines are a type of mandarin and can be used, but their flavor is slightly tarter and less sweet than some mandarin varieties. Canned mandarin segments often have a softer, sweeter texture and the juice works especially well in the dressing, so many cooks prefer them for this salad. If you use fresh fruit, choose the sweetest, juiciest mandarins or clementines available.

Can you prepare this Mandarin Salad in advance?

Yes. Store the dressing separately and combine it with the salad just before serving to preserve crispness. Add canned mandarin segments last to avoid them sinking to the bottom. For portable lunches, layer the dressing in the bottom of a jar, add denser ingredients next, and finish with greens and mandarins on top.

Tips for the best Mandarin Chicken Salad

• Use freshly shredded green cabbage for the best crunch and juiciness. Avoid limp or old store-bought greens.
• Bitter greens such as radicchio balance the sweet, nutty dressing and add welcome contrast.
• Canned mandarin segments and their juice often give the dressing naturally sweet, bright flavor; check labels to avoid added sugars.
• The dressing thickens in the refrigerator — thin it with extra mandarin juice or a splash of water before using if needed.

More salad recipes

• Chinese Chicken Cabbage Salad
• Grilled Peach Avocado Salad
• Smoked Salmon Salad
• Crispy Thai Chicken Salad
• Japanese Potato Salad
• Spicy Thai Beef Salad
• Broccoli Pesto Pasta Salad
• Bok Choy Salad
• More paleo salad recipes

This Mandarin Orange Chicken Salad is a favorite for a reason: it’s quick to make, full of color and texture, and highly customizable. Pair it with the creamy almond-butter-based Asian dressing to bring the flavors together — once you try that sauce, it quickly becomes a go-to condiment. If you try the recipe, consider leaving a rating or comment to share your variations and tips.

Also check out collections of easy Paleo dinners, Whole30 salad dressings, and low-carb meal-prep ideas to expand your recipe rotation and keep lunches and dinners simple and flavorful.