This homemade Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad is a fresh, crunchy, and flavorful copycat recipe that tastes just like the restaurant favorite. With crispy chicken, a sweet and tangy dressing, and a mix of fresh veggies, it is an easy way to make a takeout style meal right at home.
What makes this salad so good is the combination of crispy fried chicken, crunchy cabbage, and that signature honey sesame dressing. We have tested this recipe several times to get the flavors just right, and it truly tastes like the original. This is one we make when we want something a little different but still simple and filling.
If you love this recipe, be sure to try Chicken Caesar Salad, Asian Chicken Salad, Cobb Salad, and Taco Salad, all easy salads that are perfect for lunch or dinner.
Why we think you’ll love it:
- Restaurant favorite at home. Enjoy the same tasty crispy chicken salad without leaving the house!
- Fresh and filling. A great balance of protein and crisp vegetables for a filling and satisfying meal.
- Signature dressing balance. Honey, rice vinegar, and a touch of sesame oil give that sweet-tangy “Oriental” flavor every time.
- Chicken stays crispy. The flour plus panko coating fries up crunchy and holds up better once it hits the salad.
Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad Ingredients
- Honey (3 tablespoons): Adds sweetness to the dressing and balances the tangy flavors.
- Rice wine vinegar (1½ tablespoons): Brings a light tang that gives the dressing its signature flavor.
- Mayonnaise (¼ cup): Creates a creamy base for the dressing.
- Dijon mustard (1 teaspoon): Adds depth and a slight tang that enhances the overall flavor.
- Sesame oil (⅛ teaspoon): Gives a subtle nutty flavor that makes the dressing taste more authentic.
- Chicken breast (2): Provides lean protein and becomes crispy and golden when fried.
- Egg (1): Helps the breading stick to the chicken.
- Milk (1 cup): Combines with the egg for a smooth coating mixture.
- All purpose flour (1 cup): Forms the base of the breading for crispy chicken.
- Panko (1 cup): Adds extra crunch for that restaurant style texture.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Seasons the chicken and enhances flavor.
- Pepper (¼ teaspoon): Adds mild spice and depth.
- Vegetable oil for frying (3 cups): Allows the chicken to fry evenly and become golden and crispy.
- Romaine lettuce chopped (4 cups): Provides a crisp, fresh base for the salad.
- Red cabbage chopped (½ cup): Adds color and crunch.
- Napa cabbage chopped (½ cup): Gives a softer texture and mild flavor.
- Carrot shredded (1): Adds sweetness and extra crunch.
- Sliced almonds (3 tablespoons): Brings a nutty crunch that completes the salad.
How to Make Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad
DRESSING. Blend all dressing ingredients and refrigerate until ready to serve.
PREP. In a large saucepan, preheat oil over medium-high heat. While that is warming up, cut your chicken breast into several long, thin strips. Set aside.
BREAD CHICKEN. Beat egg and milk together in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, panko, salt, and pepper. Dip the strips in the egg mixture, and then into the flour, coating completely.
FRY CHICKEN. When oil is hot, carefully add chicken strips and fry for 3-4 minutes or until cooked through or golden brown. Set on a paper towel to cool. Once cool, cut into bite-size pieces.
PREPARE SALAD. Combine the romaine, red cabbage, napa cabbage, and carrots. Add chopped chicken pieces and sprinkle with almonds. Top with delicious honey oriental dressing and enjoy!
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Fry chicken in small batches to keep the oil temperature steady and ensure even crispiness.
- Use a thermometer to keep oil around 350°F for best frying results.
- When frying food, choose an oil that has a high smoke point such as vegetable oil, canola oil, peanut oil, shortening, or even lard.
- Let chicken rest on paper towels to remove excess oil and keep it crispy.
- Toss salad with dressing right before serving to keep everything fresh and crunchy.
- Use an airfryer. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Arrange strips in the basket, making sure they are not touching. Cook the chicken for about 12 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165° F. You may need to cook the chicken in batches.
- Bake chicken in the oven. Preheat oven to 425° F and bake for 15-20 minutes.
Applebee’s Oriental Chicken Salad Recipe
Video
Ingredients
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 ½ tablespoons rice wine vinegar
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- ⅛ teaspoon sesame oil
Fried Chicken
- 2 chicken breast
- 1 egg
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup panko
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 3 cups vegetable oil for frying
Salad
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- ½ cup red cabbage, chopped
- ½ cup napa cabbage, chopped
- 1 carrot, shredded
- 3 tablespoons sliced almonds
Instructions
- Blend together all dressing ingredients and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- In a large saucepan, preheat oil over medium-high heat.
- While that is warming up, cut your chicken breast into several long thin strips. Set aside.
- Beat egg and milk together in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, panko, salt, and pepper. Dip the strips in the egg mixture, and then into the flour, coating completely.
- When oil is hot, carefully add chicken strips and fry for 3-4 minutes or until cooked through or golden brown. Set on a paper towel to cool. Once cool, cut into bite-size pieces.
- To prepare your salad, combine the romaine, red cabbage, napa cabbage, and carrots. Add chopped chicken pieces and sprinkle with almonds. Top with delicious honey oriental dressing and enjoy!
Notes
- Fry chicken in small batches to keep the oil temperature steady and ensure even crispiness.
- Use a thermometer to keep oil around 350°F for best frying results.
- When frying food, choose an oil that has a high smoke point such as vegetable oil, canola oil, peanut oil, shortening, or even lard.
- Let chicken rest on paper towels to remove excess oil and keep it crispy.
- Toss salad with dressing right before serving to keep everything fresh and crunchy.
- You can make the dressing ahead and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Use an airfryer. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F. Arrange strips in the basket, making sure they are not touching. Cook the chicken for about 12 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165° F. You may need to cook the chicken in batches.
- Bake chicken in the oven. Preheat oven to 425° F and bake for 15-20 minutes.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
You can make the dressing ahead and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make the salad up to a day ahead of time. Store the chicken in its own airtight container.
Place all other ingredients in the salad bowl, cover with a paper towel to help soak up excess moisture, and cover with plastic wrap or a lid.
Right before serving, remove the lid and paper towel, then add the chicken and dressing.
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This recipe was first shared April, 2015.
I love this salad. I order it every time I go there (which isnt often enough). I was thrilled when I found this, as I have enjoyed every other recipe of yours that I have tried. I actually buzzed by and bought a cup of their dressing to do a side by side comparison. I will admit, I doubled the sesame oil of the dressing for a bit more flavor and it comes out BETTER than theirs!
Even better than the original! We love this for a fast dinner! I love all the textures.
What is your opinion of using prepackaged Cole slaw mix in place of the cabbage and carrots? Going to make this tomorrow for lunch.
You could certainly try it! I haven’t substituted with that before, but it may work just great. You’ll have to let us know.
I made this for dinner tonight since it is hotter than blazes here in St. Louis today! It was a nice refreshing meal. I did cheat a bit and bought a prepackaged salad mix that had all the cabbage, lettuce and carrots.
Everyone loved it! Now I don’t have to go to Applebees to get it! Thanks so much for another great recipe!
I have made this several times. YUMMY.
So glad to hear that!!
WAY to many calories…I would grill the breast and not deep fry it.
You can totally do that too! I’m sure grilled chicken would taste fabulous on this!
My husband and I loved this. Taste very similar to Applebee’s salad which I love. I just grill the chicken an not fry it. Great recipe! Will definitely mak3 this again
Yay!! So glad you enjoyed the salad. Grilled chicken is a great option too. I think Applebee’s has a version of this with grilled chicken, too? Anyway, I’m so happy to hear you liked it!
Unless you include the Chinese noodles, this is a failed recipe. . .
Sorry to hear this wasn’t a winner for you. You can certainly add the Chinese noodles if you enjoy/prefer them!
I love the dressing. but the recipe needs to be corrected.
The description of the recipe says “This delicious Copycat Oriental Chicken Salad from Applebees is made with breaded chicken, cabbage, romaine, sliced almonds, cucumber, and crunchy chow mein, tossed in a flavorful asian dressing!” However when you look at the recipe ingredients there is no mention of cucumber of chow mein.
Thanks so much for the feedback!! We’ll take care of that. 🙂
I lighten this recipe up by making my own breadcrumb w/low cal 647 bread & then doing my chicken in the air fryer. I also use light mayo & it’s perfectly delicious!
Love it!! Way to tweak and adjust to what you prefer. So glad to hear you enjoyed the salad!