Why You’ll Love Rotisserie Chicken Salad Recipe
This salad delivers a powerful balance of flavors and textures: smoky charred spring onion oil, creamy and tangy dressing, juicy rotisserie chicken, and crunchy fresh vegetables. It’s fast to prepare, highly customizable, and makes great use of leftover chicken. The combination of citrus, sesame, chili, and miso creates a restaurant-style taste with minimal effort.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
1–2 tbsp vegetable oil
2 spring onions, cut into thirds
1 tbsp Japanese or normal mayonnaise
1 tsp white miso paste
1 tbsp chilli oil
1 tbsp sesame seeds
1 tbsp sesame oil
1 tbsp fish sauce
1½ tsp granulated sugar
1 garlic clove, grated
15g fresh root ginger, peeled and grated
2–3 limes, juice only
½ cooked rotisserie chicken
lemon wedges, to serve
½ cucumber, sliced into rounds
1 large celery stick, thinly sliced
handful cherry tomatoes, cut in half
2 spring onions, thinly sliced
1 Little Gem or Cos lettuce, sliced
½ white onion, thinly sliced
½ red onion, thinly sliced
¼ cabbage, thinly sliced
1 tbsp kimchi (optional)
bunch fresh chives, thinly sliced
Directions
- To make the spring onion oil, heat the vegetable oil in a small frying pan over medium heat. Sear the spring onions for 3–4 minutes until charred and almost burnt. Turn off the heat and set aside.
- To make the dressing, add mayonnaise, miso paste, chilli oil, sesame seeds, sesame oil, fish sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger, and lime juice to a large bowl. Whisk until well combined. Add the burnt spring onion pieces along with 1 tablespoon of the infused oil from the pan.
- Shred the rotisserie chicken into strips using your hands or a fork, including the skin for extra flavor.
- Add the chicken, cucumber, celery, cherry tomatoes, spring onions, lettuce, white onion, red onion, cabbage, kimchi (if using), and chives to the bowl with the dressing. Toss thoroughly until everything is evenly coated.
- Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.
Servings and timing
Servings: 2
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Variations
You can swap rotisserie chicken for grilled chicken breast or leftover roast turkey.
Add avocado for extra creaminess.
Replace cabbage with shredded carrots or kale for a different crunch.
Use rice noodles or soba noodles to turn it into a noodle salad.
Skip kimchi or replace it with pickled cucumbers for a milder flavor.
Storage/Reheating
This salad is best eaten fresh due to the crisp vegetables and dressing. However, leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. If storing, keep the dressing separate if possible to prevent sogginess. Reheating is not recommended, but the chicken can be gently warmed separately if desired before assembling.
FAQs
Can I use leftover chicken instead of rotisserie chicken?
Yes, any cooked chicken works well, including grilled, baked, or poached chicken.
Is this salad spicy?
It has a mild to medium heat from chilli oil, but you can adjust the spice level easily.
Can I make the dressing ahead of time?
Yes, the dressing can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in the fridge.
What can I use instead of fish sauce?
You can substitute soy sauce or tamari for a similar umami flavor.
Do I have to use miso paste?
No, but it adds depth. You can omit it or replace it with a little extra soy sauce.
Can I make this salad vegetarian?
Yes, replace chicken with tofu, tempeh, or roasted mushrooms and omit fish sauce.
What vegetables work best in this salad?
Crunchy vegetables like cucumber, cabbage, celery, and lettuce work best for texture.
Can I serve this warm?
Yes, you can serve the chicken slightly warm, but the vegetables are best served fresh and cold.
How do I make it less salty?
Reduce fish sauce and miso paste slightly and balance with extra lime juice.
Can I turn this into a meal prep option?
Yes, store components separately and combine just before eating for best texture and freshness.
Conclusion
This rotisserie chicken salad is a fast, vibrant, and deeply flavorful meal that transforms simple ingredients into something exciting. With its balance of heat, acidity, and crunch, it’s a versatile dish you can easily adapt to your taste while keeping preparation effortless.
