The Ultimate Classic Chinese Chicken Salad with Creamy Sesame Dressing: A Celebrity Favorite & Homemade Recipe

Few salads capture the essence of light, flavorful, and satisfying dining quite like the Classic Chinese Chicken Salad. It’s a culinary icon, particularly on the West Coast, where nearly every restaurant boasts its unique and delicious rendition. Among these, the HealthNut Chinese Chicken Salad achieved legendary status, famously favored by the Kardashians on “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” Often dubbed the “Kardashian salad,” its simple yet irresistible combination of ingredients, anchored by a truly exceptional sesame dressing, has made it a household name.

My version of this beloved dish takes the classic Asian chicken salad flavors to new heights, incorporating a richer array of fresh vegetables and featuring my signature, flavor-packed Creamy Sesame Dressing. This isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience – a perfect blend of sweet, nutty, and savory with a delightful crunch in every bite. While I enjoy experimenting with various dressings, including a lighter vinaigrette I’ll share later, this creamy rendition is undeniably my current obsession, offering unparalleled richness and depth.

The Fascinating Origins of the Classic Chinese Chicken Salad

Despite its name, the Chinese Chicken Salad is not a traditional Chinese dish but rather a delightful “love child” born from a fusion of Far Eastern culinary inspiration and Californian innovation. Its exact genesis remains a subject of engaging debate among food historians and enthusiasts, with several prominent figures claiming its creation. What is widely agreed upon, however, is that this iconic salad truly found its footing and popularity in California, making its first appearances on menus around the 1950s.

The salad likely emerged from a common culinary practice: adapting existing ingredients and techniques to suit local tastes or to creatively utilize leftover components. It’s a testament to the dynamic nature of Californian cuisine, which often blends diverse cultural influences into new, exciting dishes. This particular salad quickly resonated with the health-conscious and food-loving culture of Southern California, cementing its status as a regional favorite.

So Who is the Real Originator of the Chinese Chicken Salad? Exploring the Claims

The quest to pinpoint the definitive creator of the Chinese Chicken Salad leads to a few esteemed culinary personalities, each with a compelling story that adds to the rich tapestry of this dish’s history.

Madame Wu’s Garden: A Hollywood Legend’s Claim

One of the most recognized names in the Chinese Chicken Salad origin story is Madame Sylvia Wu, the proprietor of the legendary Madame Wu’s Garden in Santa Monica. Opened with her husband in 1959, the restaurant swiftly became a magnet for Hollywood’s elite, politicians, and studio executives, earning international acclaim for its sophisticated Chinese-American cuisine.

According to the Hollywood Reporter’s “Hollywood’s 5 Favorite Salads,” the Chinese Chicken Salad certainly earned its place among the most iconic and frequently imitated dishes. Madame Wu famously claimed to have created her version of the salad in the early 1960s, specifically for the acclaimed actor Cary Grant. Grant, she recalled, requested a recreation of a chicken and noodle salad he had enjoyed elsewhere. Madame Wu obliged, crafting her unique rendition, and thus, a legend was born.

Her recipe became the foundational inspiration for countless modern Chinese and Asian Chicken Salads. Distinguishing features included a vibrant dressing spiced with hot mustard and five-spice powder, and chicken that was masterfully poached before being fried to succulent perfection – a truly ingenious and delicious technique that set her salad apart.

The Mandarin: Cecilia Chiang’s Innovative Approach

Another strong contender for the title of the Chinese Chicken Salad’s originator is the late Cecilia Chiang, the visionary owner and chef of The Mandarin, a renowned upscale restaurant in San Francisco. Chiang, celebrated for revolutionizing American Chinese food, recounted in her memoir/cookbook, The Seventh Daughter: My Culinary Journey from Beijing to San Francisco, how her version of the salad came to be. She stated, “Truly, there is no ‘real’ Chinese chicken salad…In China, lettuce was imported and rare and salads were things that were pickled.”

Chiang explained that she developed her salad primarily to utilize excess iceberg lettuce, and it quickly gained popularity among her clientele who were mindful of their waistlines. This pragmatic origin story highlights her ingenuity and adaptability in the kitchen. A fascinating tidbit: her son, Philip Chiang, is the co-founder of the hugely successful P.F. Chang’s restaurant chain, a testament to the family’s enduring legacy in the culinary world. For a deeper dive into her extraordinary life and career, I highly recommend watching the documentary, Soul of a Banquet.

New Moon Restaurant: An Earlier Claim

Adding another layer to the mystery, some sources credit Chef Lee of the New Moon restaurant in Los Angeles with serving the Chinese Chicken Salad even earlier, reportedly from the 1950s. While concrete documentation to fully verify this claim and his specific recipe remains elusive, it reinforces the idea that the salad was a concurrent culinary evolution across California.

Regardless of its precise origin, one truth is undeniable: the Classic Chinese Chicken Salad has become an enduringly popular and uniquely Californian staple, much like the iconic Cobb Salad and the equally beloved Chopped Salad. It’s a testament to the state’s vibrant culinary landscape and its ability to innovate with global flavors.

Let’s Make My Favorite Classic Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe

Now that we’ve delved into its intriguing history, it’s time to bring this delicious salad to life in your own kitchen! The magic truly begins with layering the fresh ingredients, ensuring a symphony of textures and flavors in every forkful. I recommend adding the crispy noodles and pickled ginger last to preserve their delicate crunch and prevent the ginger’s acidity from wilting the fresh greens too soon.

The true star of this recipe, however, is undoubtedly the dreamiest Creamy Sesame Dressing. Its rich, balanced profile perfectly complements the fresh vegetables and tender chicken. For best results, start by drizzling about half of the dressing over the assembled salad, toss gently to coat, and then add more to taste. You’ll be amazed at how quickly this becomes your go-to dressing for any Asian-inspired dish.

I guarantee this creamy, nutty, and subtly spicy dressing will become your new favorite for Chinese chicken salad. It strikes the perfect balance, elevating the entire dish from good to extraordinary. This salad is also fantastic for meal planning! Simply prepare all the components ahead of time and store them separately. When you’re ready to serve, combine everything and add the noodles, ginger, and dressing fresh for optimal texture and flavor.

How to Create Your Own Customized Chinese Chicken Salad Version

The beauty of the Classic Chinese Chicken Salad lies in its incredible versatility. With countless variations available, you can easily customize this recipe to suit your personal preferences, dietary needs, or what you have on hand. Here are some ideas to inspire your own unique creation:

• For Your Greens: While romaine and iceberg lettuce provide a traditional crisp base, feel free to experiment with other leafy greens. Options like thinly sliced cabbage (green or red), bok choy, or napa cabbage add different textures and flavors. For cabbages, ensure they are very finely shredded for optimal texture.
• Complimentary Add-ins for Enhanced Flavor & Texture:
  • Vegetables: Edamame (for protein and sweetness), water chestnuts (for a crisp, juicy bite), baby corn, fresh scallions, thinly sliced fresh ginger, quick-pickled onions, daikon radish, red bell pepper strips, bamboo shoots, blanched green beans, broccoli florets, peas, and snow pea pods. These additions introduce diverse textures, colors, and nutrients.
  • Aromatic Herbs: Fresh cilantro, mint, or Thai basil can add an herbaceous brightness.
• Protein Power: My recipe uses tender poached and shredded chicken, which pairs beautifully with the Asian-inspired dressing. Other excellent protein choices include:
  • Shrimp: Grilled or sautéed shrimp offers a lighter, seafood alternative.
  • Sirloin Steak: Thinly sliced, marinated, and cooked sirloin steak provides a heartier option.
  • Plant-Based: For a vegetarian or vegan version, consider pan-fried tofu or tempeh, edamame, or roasted chickpeas.
• The Essential Crunch Factor: Texture is key in this salad! Beyond the classic crispy chow mein noodles or fried wonton strips, consider these additions:
  • Chopped almonds, cashews, or peanuts for a nutty richness.
  • Crispy rice noodles or even a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds.
  • For a different kind of crunch, try thinly sliced radishes or jicama.
• Noodle Innovations: While crispy noodles are standard, you can also transform this into a heartier meal by mixing some ingredients with cooked and cooled rice noodles, vermicelli, or even linguine noodles, allowing them to absorb some of the dressing’s delicious flavors.

The options truly are limitless, allowing you to tailor this classic to your palate. While ready-made salad dressings offer convenience, I am wholeheartedly partial to my homemade Creamy Sesame Dressing for its unmatched depth of flavor and perfect consistency. If you love sesame-inspired dishes, be sure to also try my Creamy Sesame Rice Noodles or my Crunchy Bok Choy Salad with Spicy Peanut Dressing for more delicious meals.

If you tried this recipe, please help other readers by commenting below and sharing some stars! We 🫶🏼 appreciate you! Your feedback helps our community of food lovers grow and discover new favorites.

All content and photographs ©Claudia’s Table and claudiastable.com

Check out our New & Delicious Posts Below

• Pasta with Grilled Vegetables, Feta, and Lemon
• Grilled Asian Marinated Flank Steak
• Classic Homemade Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing
• 3-Ingredient Crispy Oven-Roasted Potatoes
• Grilled Peach Avocado Chicken Salad