I rarely dine at chain restaurants these days. When places expand, food can become reheated and produce often arrives limp—so I prefer making favorites at home. This copycat of Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad captures the crunchy, tangy flavors I remember, and it’s simple enough to recreate anytime.
My mom used to take us to Applebee’s a handful of times when I was young; she loved the oriental chicken salad and those blonde brownies. I’ve recreated the salad here and will add the brownies to my copycat list soon.
I’ve included the recipe below along with clear instructions and nutrition information. If you enjoy copycat recipes, pin this one so you can find it later.
What Is Napa Cabbage?
Napa cabbage, also called Chinese cabbage, is oblong with thick, crisp stems and frilly yellow-green leaves. It’s sweeter and more tender than green cabbage, making it ideal for salads that need crunch without toughness.
Are Almonds Good For You?
Almonds provide healthy fats, fiber, protein, magnesium and vitamin E. They add texture and a nutritional boost to salads.
Is Chicken Healthy?
Chicken is generally a leaner choice than red meats like beef, pork and lamb. Those red meats tend to contain more saturated fats, which can raise blood cholesterol and affect heart health. Choosing chicken and balancing portions with fresh vegetables supports a healthy meal.
Copycat Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad
Copycat Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 Frozen chicken strips, baked or homemade crunchy chicken fingers
For the Dressing
- 1/4 Cup Mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons Rice wine vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Honey
- 1 Tablespoon Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/8 teaspoon Sesame oil
- Pinch Ground ginger
- Salt to taste
For the Salad
- 2 Cups Romaine, chopped
- 1 Cup Iceberg lettuce, chopped
- 1/2 Cup Matchstick carrots
- 1 Cup Napa cabbage, chopped
- 1 Cup Red cabbage, chopped
- 2 Tablespoons Sliced almonds
- 1/4 Cup Chow mein noodles
Instructions
For the chicken
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Cook the chicken strips according to package directions or your preferred homemade recipe until hot and crispy. Set aside.
For the dressing
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Combine mayonnaise, rice wine vinegar, honey, sugar, Dijon mustard, sesame oil, ground ginger and salt in a blender. Blend until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Store in a sealed jar in the refrigerator until ready to use.
To assemble
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In a large bowl, toss romaine, iceberg, matchstick carrots, napa and red cabbage together until evenly combined.
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Top the salad with sliced almonds and chow mein noodles, add the cooked chicken, then drizzle with the dressing.
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Serve immediately so the noodles stay crisp.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
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