By Dr. Leah Alexander | Published on September 21, 2023 | Last Updated on September 21, 2023
Are you missing the delicious Chinese Chicken Salad from Costco’s food court? Costco’s Chinese Chicken Salad is a fan favorite for its unique and flavorful blend of ingredients. It’s the perfect way to get your salad fix in a unique and delicious way.
And now you can make it right at home with this easy step-by-step recipe. All you need is a few simple ingredients that you may already have on hand, and you’ll be enjoying your new favorite salad in no time.
Plus, it makes for an especially easy and delicious lunch option that the whole family will love. Read on to learn how you can make this classic dish at home with just a few simple steps.
What is Costco’s Chinese Chicken Salad?
Costco’s Chinese Chicken Salad is a flavorful and unique blend of ingredients that make for a delicious and satisfying meal.
It features chopped cooked chicken breast, wonton strips, almonds, chow mein noodles, lettuce, mayonnaise, miso paste, rice vinegar, ginger, soy sauce, orange juice and honey – all tossed together to create the perfect balance of sweet, savory and crunchy. It’s the perfect mix of flavors that will keep you coming back for more.
Why You’ll Love This Costco’s Chinese Chicken Salad?
This restaurant-style salad is a must-have for anyone who loves fresh and flavorful salads. It’s perfect for lunch or a light dinner, and it’s easy to prepare in a flash.
Plus, the combination of crunchy wonton strips and almonds with silky lettuce and creamy dressing makes this dish especially delicious.
What’s even better is that you can customize the ingredients to suit your taste. Whether you prefer a bit more sweetness or more of a tangy flavor, this dish can be adjusted to your liking with just a few simple modifications.
Plus, it’s incredibly easy to make ahead and store for later – making it perfect for meal prepping! So if you’re looking for a restaurant-style salad to enjoy at home, you can’t go wrong with this classic Chinese Chicken Salad.
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Ingredients
- Chicken breast: This is the primary protein in the salad. We recommend using boneless, skinless chicken breast for this recipe, but you can also use rotisserie chicken or even shredded cooked turkey.
- Mayonnaise: This provides a rich and creamy base for the dressing. Feel free to use your favorite mayonnaise for this recipe.
- Mellow white miso paste: This adds a subtle depth of flavor to the dressing. You can find it in most Asian grocery stores or online.
- Rice vinegar: This adds a tangy and acidic note that will balance out the sweetness from the orange juice and honey.
- Ginger: Fresh ginger is best for this recipe, but you can also use ground ginger if needed.
- Soy sauce: This adds a salty and umami flavor to the dressing. Feel free to adjust the amount of soy sauce according to your taste preference.
- Orange juice: This provides a light sweetness and balances out the acidity of the vinegar.
- Wonton strips, almonds, chow mein noodles: These provide crunchy texture and flavor to the salad.
- Lettuce: We recommend using butter or romaine lettuce for this recipe – the iceberg is too crunchy.
- Honey: This adds a subtle sweetness that complements the orange juice and helps to balance out the flavors of the dressing.
- Sesame oil: This gives the salad an authentic Chinese flavor.
Directions
Step 1
In a medium bowl, combine the chicken, mayonnaise, miso paste, rice vinegar, ginger, soy sauce, orange juice, and honey. Mix until combined.
Step 2
In another bowl, combine the wonton strips, almonds, and chow mein noodles. Add to the chicken mixture and mix until everything is evenly distributed.
Step 3
Add the lettuce to the chicken mixture and stir until everything is well combined.
Step 4
Drizzle with sesame oil and mix until everything is evenly coated.
Step 5
Serve immediately.
Notes
- You can substitute canned chicken for cooked cubed chicken breast, just make sure to drain it well.
- Feel free to use store-bought chow mein noodles or crispy wonton strips if you don’t want to make them from scratch.
- If you don’t have fresh ginger on hand, you can use ground ginger instead.
- If you’re looking for a bit more crunch, try adding some sliced almonds to the salad.
- For a lighter option, you can use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise in the dressing.
Storage Tips
Here are some easy tips to help you store your Costco Chinese Chicken Salad:
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- If you’re making this salad ahead of time, leave out the lettuce until right before serving so it stays crisp and fresh.
- You can also freeze the chicken mixture for up to 3 months. Just thaw it in the fridge overnight before adding it to the lettuce.
- To reheat, simply microwave for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.
- If you’re bringing this salad to a potluck, wrap the bowl tightly in plastic wrap so that it stays fresh and cool on the way there.
Nutrition Information
Serving Suggestions
Here are a few easy ways to serve this delicious Costco Chinese Chicken Salad.
- Serve it as a side dish with grilled chicken or steak for an easy and flavorful meal.
- Top with diced avocado for an extra boost of healthy fats and flavor.
- Enjoy it in a wrap with lettuce, tomato, and your favorite condiments for a portable lunch.
- Add it to a bowl with cooked quinoa or brown rice for a complete meal.
- Pack it in a lunchbox with some extra toppings like slivered almonds, croutons, or sliced bell peppers for an even more flavorful meal.
- Serve it over a bed of greens and top with a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream for an extra creamy texture.
- Top it with your favorite dressing to give it a zesty kick.
- Add cooked shrimp or grilled chicken to make this salad even heartier.
- Serve it over some crispy wonton chips for a fun take on nachos!
- For a spicy twist, try adding some chopped jalapeno or sriracha to the dressing.
- If you’re looking for a vegan option, swap out the chicken for cooked chickpeas or edamame.
- Add some fresh herbs like cilantro or basil to give it an extra flavor boost.
- Top with some crunchy chow mein noodles for an even more flavorful and crunchy salad.
- Serve it as part of an appetizer platter with some crackers or chips for dipping.
- For a kid-friendly option, try adding some diced apples or grapes to the salad.
- Top with some crumbled feta cheese for a creamy and salty addition.
What other substitute can I use in Costco’s Chinese Chicken Salad?
Here are some easy substitutes for the ingredients in Costco’s Chinese Chicken Salad:
- Protein: If you don’t have chicken, you can use cooked cubed turkey, canned tuna or salmon, chickpeas, or edamame.
- Mayonnaise: Greek yogurt makes for a lighter and healthier option.
- Mellow white miso paste: If you can’t find white miso paste, you can use red or yellow miso paste instead.
- Rice vinegar: This can be substituted with white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
- Ginger: Ground ginger is a great substitution for fresh ginger.
- Soy sauce: Tamari can be used as an alternative to soy sauce (or as a gluten-free option).
- Orange juice: Freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice can be used instead.
- Wonton strips, almonds, chow mein noodles: These can be substituted with other crunchy ingredients like sliced almonds, sunflower seeds, croutons, or crispy wonton chips.
- Lettuce: Romaine lettuce or baby spinach makes for a great substitution.
- Honey: Maple syrup, agave nectar, or coconut sugar can be used as alternatives.
- Sesame oil: Toasted sesame oil has a stronger flavor and is best used sparingly.
- Additional toppings: You can also add other toppings like diced bell peppers, slivered almonds, crumbled feta cheese, diced apples or grapes, sliced jalapenos, and fresh herbs like cilantro or basil.
Costco’s Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe
Equipment
- 2 bowls
Ingredients
- 4 cups boneless skinless chicken breasts cubed
- 1/2 cup Dukes Mayonnaise
- 5 tablespoons mellow white miso paste
- 2 tbsp Marukan rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp finely chopped ginger
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
- 11/2 cup wonton strips
- 1/2 cup roasted almonds sliced
- 11/2 cup chow mein noodles
- 2 Chopped Lettuce
- 2 tbsp Pure Honey adjust to taste
- 1 tbsp Kadoya sesame oil
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, blend the cooked chicken breast chunks with mayonnaise, white miso paste, rice vinegar, chopped ginger, soy sauce, orange juice, and honey. Mix until completely combined.
- In a separate bowl mix together the wonton strips, almonds, and chow mien noodles then combine with the chicken mixture. Stir until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Add the lettuce to the chicken mixture and stir until all ingredients are mixed well together.
- Drizzle with sesame oil and mix until everything is coated evenly.
- Serve your homemade Costco Chinese Chicken Salad immediately.
Notes
- You can substitute canned chicken for cooked cubed chicken breast, just make sure to drain it well.
- Feel free to use store-bought chow mein noodles or crispy wonton strips if you don’t want to make them from scratch.
- If you don’t have fresh ginger on hand, you can use ground ginger instead.
- If you’re looking for a bit more crunch, try adding some sliced almonds to the salad.
- For a lighter option, you can use Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise in the dressing.
FAQs
Can I make this salad vegetarian/vegan?
Yes! Simply swap out the chicken for cooked chickpeas or edamame and use a vegan mayonnaise or Greek yogurt instead of regular mayonnaise.
Is this salad gluten-free?
Yes, as long as you use gluten-free soy sauce or tamari instead of regular soy sauce. You may also want to double-check the ingredients in any pre-made chow mein noodles or crispy wonton strips to make sure they are gluten-free.
Can I make this in a crockpot?
Yes, you can make the chicken mixture in a crockpot for an even easier meal. Simply add all of the ingredients to the crockpot and cook on low heat for 4-6 hours or until cooked through. Once it’s done cooking, let it cool before adding it to the lettuce and other salad ingredients.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading this guide to making Costco’s Chinese Chicken Salad. With these easy tips and tricks, you can make a delicious, flavorful salad in no time!
If you’re looking for another tasty option, try adding some thinly sliced Napa cabbage or radicchio for a crunchy twist. You can also add some chopped fresh herbs like cilantro or basil for an extra flavor boost.
Please share this article with your friends and family if you enjoyed it! If you have any questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d love to hear from you!
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Dr. Leah Alexander, M.D., is a board-certified Pediatrician in New Jersey and has been working at Elizabeth Pediatric Group of New Jersey since 2000.
She also has a passion for culinary arts that extends beyond the medical realm. After completing culinary school at the French Culinary Institute, she started Global Palate, LLC, a catering firm, in 2007. She ran her own six-year-old catering company and served small group parties as an owner and executive chef.
