Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad Copycat
If you’re a fan of Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad, you’re in for a treat! This Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad Copycat recipe brings all the flavors you love right to your kitchen. With crispy chicken, crunchy veggies, and a sweet-savory dressing, it’s easy to recreate this restaurant favorite at home. Plus, it’s a perfect option for meal prep or a light, satisfying lunch. Let’s dive into this Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad Copycat recipe that is guaranteed to impress your taste buds!
Why You’ll Love This Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad Copycat Recipe
- Restaurant-Quality at Home: This copycat recipe replicates Applebee’s famous Oriental Chicken Salad with all the flavors you love.
- Healthy and Delicious: Fresh vegetables, crispy chicken, and a sweet tangy dressing make this salad a healthier and filling option.
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and quick prep, you’ll have a restaurant-quality salad ready in no time.
- Versatile Meal Option: Whether it’s for lunch, dinner, or meal prepping, this salad is perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make your Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad Copycat, here’s what you’ll need:
For the Salad:
- Romaine lettuce (or mixed greens), chopped
- Shredded carrots
- Red cabbage, thinly sliced
- Green onions, sliced
- Crispy chow mein noodles (for crunch)
- Sliced almonds, toasted
- Chicken breasts and Panko Crumbs, Eggs and Flour (or pre-made frozen crispy chicken strips)
For the Oriental Dressing:
- Honey
- Mayonnaise
- Dijon mustard
- Rice vinegar
- Sesame oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken:
If using fresh chicken, season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, dip into whisked egg, flour then panko then fry them in a skillet until golden and crispy. Let them rest, then slice into strips. You can also bake the chicken or use store-bought crispy chicken strips for convenience.
2. Make the Dressing:
In a bowl, whisk together honey, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, rice vinegar, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Refrigerate the dressing until ready to use.
3. Assemble the Salad:
In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, shredded carrots, red cabbage, green onions, chow mein noodles, and toasted almonds. Toss everything together to ensure even distribution of the crunchy ingredients.
4. Add the Chicken:
Top the salad with the crispy chicken strips, arranged beautifully over the greens.
5. Drizzle with Dressing:
Pour the Oriental dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss the salad to coat the ingredients evenly or serve the dressing on the side for a lighter touch.
Tips for the Perfect Copycat Oriental Chicken Salad
- Customizable: Feel free to add your favorite ingredients like edamame, bell peppers, or cucumbers for extra crunch and nutrition.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Store the salad ingredients and dressing separately to keep them fresh. Assemble just before eating.
- Make it Lighter: Opt for grilled chicken instead of fried for a healthier version without compromising on flavor.
FAQ About Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad Copycat Recipe
Yes, the dressing can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
If you can’t find chow mein noodles, you can substitute with wonton strips, or even croutons for a similar crunch.
Yes! To make this salad gluten-free, use gluten-free crispy chicken and soy sauce. Also, make sure your chow mein noodles are gluten-free or substitute with gluten-free crackers.
Final Thoughts
With this easy Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad copycat recipe, you can enjoy one of your favorite restaurant dishes from the comfort of your home. Whether you’re making it for a quick lunch, a healthy dinner, or serving it at a gathering, this salad will be a hit every time!
Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad Copycat
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 4 cups Romaine lettuce or mixed greens, chopped
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1 cup red cabbage thinly sliced
- ½ cup green onions sliced
- 1 cup crispy chow mein noodles for crunch
- ½ cup sliced almonds toasted
- 2 boneless frozen crispy chicken strips
For the Oriental Dressing:
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- If using fresh chicken, season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then fry them in a skillet until golden and crispy. Let them rest, then slice into strips. You can also bake the chicken or use store-bought crispy chicken strips for convenience.
- In a bowl, whisk together honey, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Refrigerate the dressing until ready to use.
- In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, shredded carrots, red cabbage, green onions, chow mein noodles, and toasted almonds. Toss everything together to ensure even distribution of the crunchy ingredients.
- Top the salad with the crispy chicken strips, arranged beautifully over the greens.
- Pour the Oriental dressing over the salad just before serving. Toss the salad to coat the ingredients evenly or serve the dressing on the side for a lighter touch.
A quick tasty salad. The ingredients list is missing the soy sauce for the dressing and amount … I went by taste. I also add crispy wonton strips and mandarin oranges.