Chinese Chicken and Cucumber Salad

Fresh, vibrant, and irresistibly flavorful, this Chinese Chicken and Cucumber Salad is a perfect balance of zesty, savory, and nutty notes. Tender shredded chicken pairs beautifully with crisp cucumber slices, all tossed in a delightful dressing of soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and a hint of optional chili oil for those who like a touch of heat. Topped with roasted sesame seeds and green onions, this chilled salad offers a refreshing crunch and is ideal as a light lunch, side dish, or appetizer. Ready in just 35 minutes, it’s a simple yet impressive recipe that’s both nutritious and packed with authentic Asian-inspired flavors. Perfect for meal prep or serving at gatherings, this salad is sure to become a favorite in your repertoire.

Nutriscore Rating: 76/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 large cucumber
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon chili oil (optional)
• 1 tablespoon roasted sesame seeds
• 2 stalks green onions
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups water

Directions

Step 1

Place the chicken breasts in a medium-sized pot and add 4 cups of water and 0.5 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15–20 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.

Step 2

While the chicken cooks, wash the cucumber and slice it into thin rounds or half-moons if preferred. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.

Step 3

Mince the garlic cloves and finely slice the green onions. Set them aside for the dressing.

Step 4

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot and let it cool slightly. Then shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces using two forks or your hands.

Step 5

In a small bowl, prepare the dressing by whisking together soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, minced garlic, sugar, and chili oil (if using). Adjust seasoning to taste.

Step 6

Add the shredded chicken to the bowl of cucumbers. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss everything to combine evenly.

Step 7

Sprinkle roasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions over the salad as garnish.

Step 8

Chill the salad in the refrigerator for 10–15 minutes before serving for best flavor. Serve cold or at room temperature. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1836.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	892.2

Total Fat 35.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 6.0g
Cholesterol 295.8mg	0%
Sodium 1453.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 26.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 4.1g	0%
Total Sugars 11.8g
Protein 115.6g	0%

Vitamin D 3.5IU	0%
Calcium 275.3mg	0%
Iron 6.3mg	0%
Potassium 1733.5mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 35.8%

Protein: 52.4%

Carbs: 11.8%