Layered Sesame Salad
A layered salad that’s pack with color and crunch!
you're making mealtime meaningful.
There’s something about bringing a layered salad to a function that feels so much more elevated than a simple tossed salad. Colorful layers that have been assembled to maintain the perfect texture while still letting the bottom ingredients marinate- it’s simple party perfection. We’ve made quite a few different versions over the years like this layered pasta salad and a gorgeous spring version, but I have to say, this Layered Sesame Salad just might be my favorite. Let’s get into all the good stuff going on here…
Every bite in this salad is a perfect balance of fresh, crunchy, sweet, and savory. With tender shredded chicken, juicy pineapple, and crisp coleslaw mix all stacked together, this dish has it all. Now, let’s talk about the dressing—it’s the real MVP here. A creamy peanut butter and sesame oil base brings out delicious savory notes, while a touch of honey and rice vinegar adds just the right amount of tangy sweetness. A splash of soy sauce and a sprinkle of garlic powder round it out for a dressing that is sure to become a favorite. Once you’ve got your dressing ready to go, half of it gets layered into the salad right in the middle, then the rest is drizzled on top to bring everything together.
A generous handful of chow mein noodles are added just before serving to keep that irresistible crunch intact. Easy as that, your salad is ready to serve! You can scoop up perfect layered portions straight from the dish or give it a good toss for a more even mix of flavors. Either way, family and friends are sure to give this colorful salad rave reviews. Give it a try for your next get-together and I’m sure you’ll agree!
Layered Sesame Salad
Yield(s): Serves 10-12
15m prep time
1h inactive
you're making mealtime meaningful.
Ingredients
- 1 cup shredded chicken
- 8 oz pineapple tidbits, drained
- 4 cups coleslaw mix, divided
- 1 1/2 cups shredded carrot
- 1 cup chopped green onions, divided
- 1 cup snap peas, halved
- ⅓ cup packed cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
- ½ cup honey roasted peanuts
- ½ red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup chow mein noodles, for serving
Dressing
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1/3 cup rice vinegar
- 1 ½ tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2-4 tablespoons water
Preparation
- In a small bowl, add all dressing ingredients and whisk to combine. Thickness will vary depending on your peanut butter. Whisk in more water until dressing is a pourable consistency. Set dressing aside.
- In a 9x13-inch dish, layer ingredients in the following order: shredded chicken, pineapple, half the cole slaw mix, shredded carrot, and half the green onions. Drizzle half the dressing over the dish.
- Continue layering in this order: remaining cabbage, snap peas, remaining green onions, remaining dressing, cilantro, peanuts, and red pepper. I recommend waiting to add the chow mein noodles until it’s time to serve so they stay crunchy.
- Cover dish with plastic wrap or lid and chill for 1-2 hours before serving.
- Add noodles and scoop individual layered portions or toss salad in dish before serving.
Recipe adapted from Chindeep.com