Zesty Teriyaki Chicken Salad Recipe for Fresh Summer Meals

Crafting a delightful teriyaki chicken salad brings unexpected culinary joy to your weeknight dining adventure.

Tender chicken pieces marinated in a tangy sauce create an irresistible centerpiece for this light and vibrant dish.

Crisp vegetables add refreshing crunch against the rich, savory protein.

Each forkful promises a perfect balance of flavors that dance across your palate.

Asian-inspired ingredients blend seamlessly, turning a simple salad into a memorable meal.

Colorful ingredients transform an ordinary plate into something truly special.

You’ll savor every delicious bite of this quick and satisfying recipe that comes together in minutes.

Why Teriyaki Chicken Salad Is Fresh And Flavorful

• Boost Flavor in Minutes: This teriyaki chicken salad transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal with minimal effort, delivering bold Asian-inspired flavors through an easy marinade and quick cooking technique.
• Customize Your Comfort: Versatile recipe allows endless vegetable swaps and protein modifications, making it perfect for picky eaters, dietary preferences, and using up leftover produce from your refrigerator.
• Quick Weeknight Wonder: From marinating to plating, this dish comes together in under an hour, offering a nutritious, vibrant meal that feels gourmet but requires minimal cooking skills and preparation time.
• Meal Prep Champion: The components can be prepared separately and stored, creating an ideal lunch option for busy professionals or health-conscious individuals wanting a fresh, satisfying meal without daily cooking hassle.

Ingredients For Teriyaki Chicken Salad

• Chicken Breasts: A lean protein that absorbs the teriyaki marinade and provides a hearty main component for the salad.
• Nuts: A crunchy protein topping that adds texture and nutty flavor to the dish.

• Romaine Lettuce, Cabbage: Crisp and fresh base greens that provide a crunchy foundation for the salad.
• Carrots, Bell Pepper, Cucumber: Colorful vegetables that add crunch, nutrition, and visual appeal to the salad.
• Green Onions, Cilantro: Fresh herbs that bring brightness and aromatic flavor to the overall dish.

• Teriyaki Sauce: A sweet and savory Japanese-style sauce that serves as both marinade and dressing component.
• Rice Vinegar: Adds a tangy and light acidic note to balance the dressing.
• Sesame Oil: Provides a distinctive nutty and rich flavor to the dressing.
• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and helps to balance the dressing's flavors.
• Ginger: Brings a warm, spicy, and aromatic element to the dressing.
• Salt, Pepper: Basic seasonings that enhance and balance the overall flavor profile.
• Sesame Seeds: A garnish that adds visual interest and a subtle nutty crunch.
• Olive Oil: Used for cooking the chicken and providing a smooth cooking surface.

How To Make Teriyaki Chicken Salad

Step 1: Prepare Flavorful Chicken

Grab your chicken breasts and coat them generously in teriyaki sauce. Let the flavors mingle and dance together for about 30 minutes (or if you’re planning ahead, overnight works magic). Heat up a skillet with a splash of olive oil. Cook the chicken until it turns a gorgeous golden brown, about 5-6 minutes on each side. Once cooked, let the chicken rest briefly, then slice it into delicate, mouth-watering strips.

Step 2: Create Colorful Salad Base

• Romaine lettuce
• Shredded cabbage
• Julienned carrots
• Vibrant bell peppers
• Crisp cucumber
• Chopped green onions

• Fresh cilantro
• Crunchy nuts
• Toasted sesame seeds

Step 3: Whip Up Zesty Dressing

• Teriyaki sauce
• Rice vinegar
• Sesame oil
• Honey
• Freshly grated ginger
• Pinch of salt
• Dash of pepper

Whisk everything until the ingredients become best friends and create a smooth, tantalizing blend.

Step 4: Final Flourish

Crown your salad with the golden chicken strips. Drizzle the dressing over the top or serve it on the side, allowing everyone to customize their perfect bite. Toss gently if you’re mixing everything together, or leave as a beautiful layered masterpiece.

Enjoy your culinary adventure!

Helpful Tips For Teriyaki Chicken Salad

• Maximize Marinade Magic: Let chicken soak in teriyaki sauce overnight for deeper, more intense flavor that penetrates every bite of meat.
• Slice Chicken Strategically: Cut chicken against the grain into thin, even strips to ensure tender, easy-to-eat pieces that blend perfectly with salad greens.
• Boost Texture Variety: Toast nuts and sesame seeds briefly in a dry skillet to enhance their crunch and release nutty aromatics before sprinkling over the salad.
• Customize Dietary Needs: Swap chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version, or use gluten-free teriyaki sauce to make the recipe suitable for gluten-sensitive diners.
• Dressing Distribution Trick: Serve dressing on the side to keep salad ingredients crisp, allowing everyone to control the amount of sauce and maintain optimal texture.

Storage Tips For Teriyaki Chicken Salad

• Refrigerate leftover teriyaki chicken salad in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
• Keep the dressing separate to prevent soggy greens and maintain crisp vegetables.
• Separate the chicken, veggies, and dressing into different compartments if possible.
• When ready to enjoy, give the salad a quick toss and add fresh nuts or seeds for a crunchy texture.
• Avoid freezing this salad, as the fresh vegetables will lose their crispness and become watery when thawed.
• Consume within 48 hours for the best flavor and quality.

Best Sides With Teriyaki Chicken Salad

• Pair with Crisp Riesling: A slightly sweet Riesling complements the teriyaki's umami flavor, balancing the salad's zesty and savory notes while cutting through the richness of the chicken.
• Match with Jasmine Green Tea: The delicate, floral green tea refreshes the palate and echoes the Asian-inspired teriyaki marinade, providing a light and cleansing accompaniment to the vibrant salad.
• Serve with Chilled Sake: A cold, smooth sake enhances the teriyaki chicken's sweet and tangy profile, creating a harmonious dining experience that celebrates traditional Japanese flavors.
• Add Sparkling Water with Yuzu: A bubbly yuzu-infused sparkling water adds a bright, citrusy twist that complements the salad's fresh vegetables and teriyaki chicken, offering a palate-cleansing and invigorating drink option.

Ways To Mix Up Teriyaki Chicken Salad

• Spicy Teriyaki Kick: Add sriracha or red pepper flakes to the marinade for a fiery version that brings extra heat to the chicken and dressing.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Replace teriyaki sauce with Greek yogurt and lemon marinade, swap sesame seeds for feta cheese, and include kalamata olives for a Mediterranean-inspired salad.
• Vegetarian Protein Swap: Substitute chicken with grilled tofu or tempeh, using the same teriyaki marinade and maintaining the same cooking method for a plant-based alternative.
• Tropical Summer Edition: Incorporate grilled pineapple chunks, replace cucumber with mango slices, and add a coconut garnish to give the salad a refreshing tropical profile.

Teriyaki Chicken Salad Questions

• What makes teriyaki chicken salad different from other salads?

This salad combines Asian-inspired flavors with fresh, crisp vegetables and tender marinated chicken. The teriyaki marinade infuses the chicken with a sweet and savory taste that sets it apart from traditional salads.

• Can I use a different type of protein instead of chicken?

Absolutely! You can easily swap chicken with grilled tofu, shrimp, or even thinly sliced beef to create your own variation while maintaining the salad’s delicious teriyaki flavor profile.

• Is this salad considered a healthy meal option?

Yes, this salad is packed with nutrients from fresh vegetables, lean protein, and uses a homemade dressing that’s lower in calories compared to many store-bought options. It’s a balanced meal that provides protein, fiber, and essential vitamins.

• How spicy is the teriyaki chicken salad?

The salad isn’t spicy by default. The teriyaki sauce provides a sweet and tangy flavor rather than heat. If you want to add some kick, you can include red pepper flakes or sriracha in the dressing.

Teriyaki Chicken Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Zesty teriyaki chicken salad dances with bold Asian-inspired flavors, delivering a perfect balance of grilled protein and crisp vegetables. Packed with umami-rich sauce and fresh ingredients, this salad promises a delightful culinary journey you’ll savor with every refreshing bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 lb (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Vegetables and Herbs:

• 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
• 2 cups shredded red cabbage
• 1 cup shredded carrots
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 2 green onions, chopped
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro

Seasoning and Garnish:

• ⅓ cup teriyaki sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ¼ cup sliced almonds
• ¼ cup chopped cashews
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Dressing Ingredients:

• ¼ cup teriyaki sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken by immersing it in a flavorful teriyaki bath, allowing the marinade to penetrate the meat for at least half an hour, or ideally overnight for maximum flavor infusion.
2. Ignite a skillet with a drizzle of olive oil, bringing it to a medium-heat shimmer, then carefully place the marinated chicken into the pan, cooking each side until a golden-brown crust forms and the meat is thoroughly cooked.
3. Let the chicken rest momentarily, then slice it into delicate, mouth-watering strips that will crown the vibrant salad.
4. Construct a colorful foundation by layering crisp romaine leaves, shredded cabbage, julienned carrots, vibrant bell peppers, cool cucumber slices, and delicate green onion rings.
5. Sprinkle the vegetable canvas with a confetti of fresh cilantro, crunchy nuts, and toasted sesame seeds for added texture and depth.
6. Craft a harmonious dressing by whisking together additional teriyaki sauce, tangy rice vinegar, nutty sesame oil, golden honey, zingy ginger, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
7. Crown the salad with the succulent teriyaki chicken strips, then either drizzle the dressing generously or serve it alongside, allowing diners to customize their culinary experience.

Notes

• Marinate chicken longer for deeper flavor intensity, allowing the teriyaki sauce to fully penetrate the meat for maximum taste.
• Use low-sodium teriyaki sauce to control salt levels and make the dish more diet-friendly for those watching sodium intake.
• Toast sesame seeds and nuts briefly in a dry pan to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the salad.
• Swap chicken with tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version that maintains the same delicious teriyaki profile and protein content.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Japanese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 8g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 20g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 25g
• Cholesterol: 70mg