Bone-Healthy Asian Chicken Slaw Salad
This fresh, colorful salad really has it all. Satisfying crunch. A dressing that’s both tangy and creamy. A hint of spiciness, and a pinch of sweetness, too (but without any added sugar).
Plus, it’s packed with nutrient- and fiber-rich veggies that are good for your bones too! For instance, red bell pepper (which is actually a fruit… I often forget that!) is a very high source of vitamin C. Red cabbage also has lots of calcium, potassium, and vitamins C and K. And pumpkin seeds provide protein, magnesium, and fiber.
But my favorite part? The shredded chicken breast. It provides extra protein, which is crucial for bone health, and really complements the salad beautifully.
So, let’s get started — it’ll be ready in minutes!
Asian Chicken Slaw Salad
| Course | Salad | |
|---|---|---|
| Cuisine | Chinese | |
| Keyword | salad | |
| Prep Time | 10 minutes | |
| Cook Time | 20 minutes | |
| Servings | 5 | |
| Calories | 267 kcal |
Ingredients
Salad
- 1/2 head napa cabbage thinly sliced
- 1/2 head red cabbage thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper thinly sliced
- 1 large carrot shredded
- 6 green onions thinly sliced
- 1.5 tbsp fresh basil
- 1.5 tbsp fresh cilantro
- 2 cups chicken breast cooked and shredded
- 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
Salad Dressing
- 6 tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 5 tbsp creamy peanut butter
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tbsp fresh ginger root peeled and minced
- 4 garlic cloves minced
Instructions
- Prep your dressing. Whisk all the dressing ingredients together in a bowl until they’re thoroughly blended. Set aside.
- Combine the salad ingredients in a separate bowl. Use as much basil, cilantro and pumpkin seeds as you prefer.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine. Serve immediately. (If you like, add a little more soy sauce.)
Asian Chicken Slaw Salad Takeaways
One of the best ways to ensure you’re getting enough bone-building nutrients is to prepare them in creative ways that actually make them craveable. They don’t have to be boring… and this salad proves it! The variety of flavors and textures is so delicious and satisfying, you may forget you’re actually doing your body a favor. (That includes your bones!)
I hope you enjoy this tasty salad as much as I do. Please let me know your thoughts in the comments section below. And if you customize the recipe in your own special way, I’d love to hear about that, too!
I used lemon instead of vinegar. I can’t have vinegar. I used raw almond butter instead of peanut butter – healthier. Also, can’t have soy, so used Bragg’s Liquid Aminos. Yummy!!
Sounds amazing, Sheri!
Glad you were able to get creative with making substitutions – we’ll have to try it your way sometime.
Thanks for taking the time to share! ❤️
-Megan @ AlgaeCal
What is considered a serving? 1/2 cup? 1 cup?
Hi Gloria, good question!
One serving for this recipe yields around 1.5 cups 😀
Hope this helps and let us know what you think of the recipe!
-Megan @ AlgaeCal
No measurements for the basil, cilantro or pumpkin seeds?
Hi Marilee, good question!
The measurements for these will vary depending on personal preference. We used 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, 1/8 cup green onion, and 1.5 tbsp each of chopped & packed basil and cilantro 😊
Hope this helps and be sure to let us know what you think of the recipe! 💕
-Megan @ AlgaeCal
Sounds like a great recipe! Will definitely try this. I will substitute peanut butter for almond butter. Upon researching bone health, I am finding out that i have to have about 65-75% alkaline foods, and only 25-35% acidic foods in my overall diet, to help with low bone density (80% alkaline required if actual osteoporosis is diagnosed. So almond butter and maybe a bit less chicken and a bit more vegetables to make this awesome recipe compliant with what I’ve learned.
It’s great to hear that you have been doing your own research, Anne! Those are wonderful adjustments.
We hope you enjoy! 😀
– Blaire @ AlgaeCal
Always looking for quick and easy recipes healthy and calcium enriched meals with easy preparation!!!
Thanks for commenting, Mary! We hope you like it 🙂
– Blaire @ AlgaeCal
Does this salad store well? I am single. Even if I halve the recipe I won’t be able to eat it all at one time so would need to store some of it. It sounds delicious.
That’s a great question, Laura! If you are saving some for later, we recommend keeping the dressing on the side so it will last longer and simply top it with the dressing when you’re ready to eat 😊
– Blaire @ AlgaeCal
I’ve made this recipe several times, and it is wonderful! So full of great flavors…it’s the perfect blend of all the Asian salad flavors I love. Thank you for posting this!
So glad you love the flavors, Marie! Thank you for your kind words ❤️
– Blaire @ AlgaeCal
This recipe is great for my parties since I can have both my vegan and carnivores fam members enjoying a great salad “have it your own way”.
Love hearing that, Tomas! 😃
– Blaire @ AlgaeCal
If you are avoiding soy, Bragg’s Liquid Amino’s is not the answer. It is made with non-fermented, non-GMO SOY BEANS. A tasty substitute for soy sauce is Coconut Amino’s.
Thanks for sharing, Marc!
– Blaire @ AlgaeCal
This recipe looks like too much for one person and since you pour dressing and eat immediately, can you store in refrigerator and eat one portion at a time?
Hi Betty,
You can definitely save some for later! We recommend keeping the dressing on the side so the salad will last longer in the fridge 😊
Hope you enjoy!
– Blaire @ AlgaeCal
I just finished making this salad. Delicious!!! It makes me feel so good to know that I’m serving super healthy food when I make something like this. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
So happy to hear this, Heather!
Feel free to try out more of our bone-healthy recipes here. 😀
-Megan @ AlgaeCal
Please add a Print Recipe choice for this recipe and any others — it really helps!
Hi Gin,
Thanks so much for reaching out!
On the left-hand side of the page, a green box should pop up with the option to print the recipe! If this does not show up for you, please let us know and we can email you the print version 😃
– Blaire @ AlgaeCal
Would you have a substitution suggestion for the peanut butter used in the dressing? I have a nut allergy.
Thanks for reaching out, Michelle!
Sunflower seed butter or soy butter may work in place of the peanut butter (if you are not allergic to them). However, please be sure they are truly nut-free and that the brand you purchase does not use the same machine to make products with nuts.
Hope that helps! ❤️
– Blaire @ AlgaeCal
Where is the best place to buy healthy pumpkin seeds that are grown in the USA? Most are from China. Thanks.
Hi Julie!
You can find pumpkin seeds grown in the USA here. 🙂
– Blaire @ AlgaeCal