Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad Recipe – Asian-Inspired Chicken Salad You Can Make at Home
If you love the flavors of crunchy lettuce, crispy chicken, toasted almonds, and a sweet creamy dressing, then this Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad recipe will quickly become one of your favorites! It’s one of the most popular menu items at Applebee’s and a dish that’s surprisingly easy to recreate at home.
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: the name. Applebee’s still officially calls this dish “Oriental Chicken Salad”—an outdated term I personally avoid. In my kitchen (and on my site), I much prefer to call this an Asian-inspired chicken salad, as the flavors are loosely based on Asian cuisine.
While no one would mistake Applebee’s for an authentic Asian restaurant, this salad became a huge hit for its satisfying balance of textures and flavors. The sweet-and-tangy creamy dressing, crunchy fried chicken, cabbage, crispy chow mein noodles, and toasted almonds come together for a dish that’s more comforting than traditional Asian fare—but undeniably delicious!
It’s been on the Applebee’s menu since at least the early 1990s, making it a nostalgic favorite for many diners.
What Makes This Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad Recipe So Good?
The key to this Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad recipe is in the dressing. It’s a creamy, honey-sweetened dressing with just a hint of sesame oil, perfectly complementing the crispy chicken and fresh veggies. The combination of romaine lettuce, shredded cabbage, carrots, and crunchy noodles gives the salad its signature texture.
And unlike many restaurant salads that can leave you hungry, this is a hearty salad—a full meal on its own and it pairs perfectly with iced tea, lemonade, or even a light white wine.
Bringing the Restaurant Experience Home
Making your own Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad recipe at home is fun and cost-effective. You control the ingredients, so you can easily make it gluten-free or lighter by air-frying the chicken.
If you’re looking for more restaurant recreations, be sure to check out my Panda Express Honey Walnut Shrimp and Cheesecake Factory Chicken Madeira recipes right here on Restaurant Recipe Recreations.
Final Thoughts
Even though the name on the menu remains “Oriental Chicken Salad”, I think we can all agree that “Asian-inspired chicken salad” is a more fitting and respectful way to describe this dish today. No matter what you call it, this chicken salad is a true crowd-pleaser. Scroll down to get the full recipe and start enjoying this restaurant favorite at home!
Ingredients
- For the Salad:
- • 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- • 2 cups Napa cabbage, chopped
- • 1½ cups red cabbage, thinly sliced
- • ¾ cup julienned carrots
- • 3 scallions, sliced-green parts only
- • ¼ cup toasted sliced almonds
- • 1 cup chow mein noodles
- For the Chicken:
- • 4 large chicken breast tenders
- • 2 large eggs
- • ½ cup buttermilk
- • 1 cup crushed cornflake cereal
- • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- • ¾ teaspoon salt
- • Oil for deep-frying
- For the Dressing:
- • 1 cup mayonnaise
- • ½ cup honey
- • ⅓ cup rice vinegar
- • 4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- • 4 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- • ½ teaspoon salt
- • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
Prepare the Dressing:
In a container with a lid, combine all dressing ingredients. Shake until thoroughly mixed. Refrigerate until ready to use.
Prepare the Chicken:
In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs and buttermilk.
In another bowl, combine crushed cornflakes, flour, and salt.
Dip chicken tenders into the egg mixture, then dredge in the cornflake mixture, coating all sides.
Heat oil in a deep fryer or skillet to 365°F
Fry chicken strips in batches until deep golden brown, about 7–8 minutes or until an internal temperature of 165°F. Drain on paper towels and slice into bite-sized pieces.
Prepare the Salad:
In a large bowl, combine romaine lettuce, Napa cabbage, red cabbage, julienned carrots, toasted almonds, scallions, and chow mein noodles. Toss the salad in the Asian dressing.
Arrange the salad mixture on plates.
Top with sliced, crispy chicken.
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