Chinese Chicken Coleslaw is your light and refreshing way to have a full meal without weighing you down with heavy or sickly intense sauces. A light but savory dressing is tossed with coleslaw mix and seared shredded chicken, making a slaw that goes against the creamy-mayo-based grain.

What gives Chinese Chicken Coleslaw its Flavor?

Rice Vinegar: While most neutral vinegars (and even apple cider vinegar) are okay, rice wine vinegar is a delicate and subtle vinegar that doesn’t have an intense acidic punch. 

Sesame Oil: This oil has a complex and roasted nutty note that is linked to a lot of Asian culinary recipes. While olive can be used in a pinch, the sesame oil will really drive home the flavor of this slaw.

Low-sodium Soy Sauce: This is the main stage ingredient of the dressing. Its combination of sweet, salty, and umami makes for a condiment that is unparalleled as it delivers savoriness without any intense heaviness. 

Mirin: It’s a crucial counter to the savory sesame oil and earthy soy sauce. It adds a fresh, bright note of sweetness to round all of the flavors out. 

Sesame Seeds: This addition drives home the nutty flavor of the sesame oil, but does so with a nice textural crunch. 

After mixing up the dressing, add the shredded chicken breasts and the bags of coleslaw mix. Toss to combine and it’s ready to serve. 

The coleslaw is complex, with an array of sweet, salty, savory, meaty, and earthy elements all in one bowl. A bite of chicken is satisfying against the crunch of the coleslaw. 

Everything is laced with this enticing dressing that coats but doesn’t saturate things, maintaining the texture of the other ingredients.

It’s a great salad for the warmer months or even a quick make-ahead meal for a packed work lunch.