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Applebee's Oriental Chicken Salad Recipe
Applebee's Oriental Chicken Salad
By Todd Wilbur

Recipe Type: Salad
Calories: 587
Cook Time: 28 minutes
Recipe Rating: 4.8 (63 reviews)
 

Menu Description: "Crisp Oriental greens topped with chunks of crunchy Chicken Fingers, toasted almonds and crispy rice noodles tossed in a light Oriental vinaigrette."

Applebee's 60-item menu is revised twice a year. That means about 40 percent of the entire menu changes on a regular basis. The other 60 percent are items that are found on menus in all of the Applebee's restaurants, and seldom ever change. One item that has been on the menu for some time now is this Oriental Chicken salad, which is considered one of the restaurants signature items. The recipe makes one dinner-size salad and can be easily doubled or quadrupled for additional servings. This recipe comes from the third book, Top Secret Restaurant Recipes, but the dressing has been improved to more closely match the current dressing served at the restaurant.
Oriental Dressing
3 tablespoons honey
1 1/2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon Grey Poupon Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon sesame oil

Salad
2 to 4 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup corn flake crumbs
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 skinless chicken breast fillet
3 cups chopped romaine lettuce
1 cup chopped red cabbage
1 cup chopped Napa cabbage
1/2 carrot, julienned or shredded
1 green onion, chopped
1 tablespoon sliced almonds
1/3 cup crispy chow mein noodles

1. Blend together all ingredients for dressing in a small bowl with an electric mixer. Put dressing in refrigerator to chill while you prepare the salad.

2. Preheat oil in deep fryer or deep pan over medium heat. You want the temperature of the oil to be around 350 degrees F.

3. In a small, shallow bowl beat egg, add milk, and mix well.

4. In another bowl, combine flour with corn flake crumbs, salt and pepper.

5. Cut chicken breast into 4 or 5 long strips. Dip each strip of chicken first into egg mixture then into the flour mixture, coating each piece completely.

6. Fry each chicken finger for 5 minutes or until coating has darkened to brown.

7. Prepare salad by tossing the chopped romaine with the chopped red cabbage, Napa cabbage, and carrots.

8. Sprinkle green onion on top of the lettuce.

9. Toast almonds in a small skillet over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, or until light brown.

10. Sprinkle toasted almonds over the salad, then add the chow mein noodles.

11. Cut the chicken into small bite-size chunks. Place the chicken onto the salad forming a pile in the middle. Serve with salad dressing on the side. 

Makes 1 dinner-size salad.
        
Teresa  
Submitted on 03/17/13
My husband and I both like this recipe. We just had it today for lunch. I make extra dressing so that I can have a serving for lunch this week. I have tried the recipe from various sights. They are all fantastic. Not sure exactly what it is, but when it is all mixed together, it tastes delicious. I mix mine in my Bullet Blender, using the blade used to make whipped cream.
cheri  
Submitted on 03/14/13
This recipe was soooo good! I made the salad for my brother and he was telling me he could eat it every day. Love the dressing - better than Applebees!
ashlee  
Submitted on 02/27/13
This recipe is amazing.. the person who said they could taste the Mayo clearly didn't mix the dressing right. I think it taste the same if not better than the Applebees version. And I eat this salad weekly
M  
Submitted on 02/24/13
What is missing from this recipe is cilantro. I order this salad almost everytime we go and it always contains cilantro. That is the refreshing kick I think some of you might be talking about. It seems counter-intuitive but try it, you won't regret it.
Karen  
Submitted on 02/23/13
I have had this salad several times at Applebee's and I loved this version - it tasted just like it!
Sarah McIntire  
Submitted on 05/12/12
I love this recipe...A lot of people are saying that something is missing...I think it might be a few drops of orange juice or possibly orange zest...just my opinion...it has an orangish taste to me.
JeanetteNot Ivins  
Submitted on 04/17/12
I ordered this salad at Applebee's and asked for extra dressing so I had the exact same one to compare this recipe to. Although this was tasty, it was no where near the original and pracitcally all I could taste was mayonnaise.
Stacey Day  
Submitted on 02/02/12
My family actually liked this recipe better than Applebees! I used High Oleic Formua Peanut Oil and the chicken was so crunchy with no oil!!!
Tj Graney  
Submitted on 01/26/12
When I started mixing everything, I was saying to myself, "no way is this right..." so I whisked away til the dressing was perfectly smooth, then licked the whisk, and.......Wow. so yummy, so dead on!
Allison Lumbra  
Submitted on 08/05/11
This salad has always been my favorite salad. This is what I always order at Applebees. Thank you for the recipe.
Chip McFerrin  
Submitted on 06/21/11
I'm not a salad eater at all, but this one makes me one!!!
Amy Toothaker  
Submitted on 06/06/11
I'm not a fan of the heavy honey flavor in the dressing. Plus, I thought the honey gave the dressing an odd color. The second time I made the dressing, I used light corn syrup instead of honey and By Golly, that's it! The Oriental flavor is more pronounced and the color is like the dressing from the restaurant. I have tried to duplicate this salad for years. I believe this is it!
Celia  
Submitted on 01/03/10
Tastes exactly like it but instead of frying the chicken I just use Tyson breaded chicken breast patties sliced up on top of the salad and it's perfect!
ChrisG  
Submitted on 06/16/09
I order this everytime I go to Applebee's...Love it..Love it..Thank you for the receipe..Now I can make it myself and try something different at Applebee's
becky  
Submitted on 05/18/09
This is my favorite salad! I get this everytime I go to Applebees. I am so excited to have the recipe. The dressing is out of this world.
Basha  
Submitted on 09/16/08
I've made this salad dressing for months and I'm still not tired of it. It's absolutely the best!
quiltercarla  
Submitted on 08/01/08
Thi is my favorite salad and I made this recipe tonight for the first time. It was excellent. The only thing I changed was that I grilled the chicken, just like I have them do in the restaurant. I may cut back just a little on the vinegar next time.
Cindy  
Submitted on 12/04/07
This is super close to the real thing. I've made it many times and my family loves it. The chicken is so good that I make it sometimes for the kids even when I'm not making the salad. The dressing is excellent and easy, too. I highly recommend this one.
Jenn  
Submitted on 09/28/07
This is an excellent copy. However in the real recipe, chicken fat is used in addition to the mayo.
Karen S. Woods  
Submitted on 09/06/07
I love this recipe and I am so glad that I can get their recipe so I can make it at home!!!
Shelley  
Submitted on 09/04/07
I tried this recipe and I LOVE it! I've used several kinds of chicken (breaded tenders from Costco, grilled, cooked and shredded). Its great no matter what you use.
Ann  
Submitted on 06/24/07
Now I can have my favorite salad at home! However, I've found another short-cut that makes it even better. Tyson has a Crispy Chicken Breast Strips that is a great fried chicken that can be heated in the oven and cut to put in the salad, making it even easier to put together at home. It tastes just like going to Applebee's.
Michele Lynn  
Submitted on 06/19/07
I LOVE this recipe. I now can make this at home and have it whenever I feel without having to go out for dinner. This dressing is the best.
Molly in WI  
Submitted on 10/20/06
This is great. I use a bag mix salad to make it go quicker.
Claudia  
Submitted on 09/09/06
Excellent recipe. For those who think the dressing seems to "missing something", try using the Top Secret Island China Coast dressing recipe. I think it is even better. Check it out.I also thought it was a great idea to use cole slaw mix instead of working with 2 different cabbages and carrots for this recipe.
Judy  
Submitted on 09/05/06
Right on, I love this recipe, use nothing else now for my dressing and now I make extra. Thanks so much for this clone.
Jo  
Submitted on 07/15/06
I have been eating salads with this dressing nearly every day for weeks!! This is what I always order at the restaurant but we don't go there often. I had to leave the sesame out once and there is little difference in the taste, so if you're out of this don't panic. I make six times the recipe and store it in the fridge. I've also used different meats in the salad, like leftover steak or shrimp.
Brian  
Submitted on 06/29/06
One of my all-time favorites at Applebee's and this takes a very close second. I make my dressing with a 1/2 teaspoon of soy sauce and fresh ginger and garlic squeezed through a garlic press to add that oriental flavor. Great job!
Cindy  
Submitted on 06/08/06
I keep making this recipe because it is so good. I make the dressing all the time and keep it around for daily salads. I make the chicken fingers for my kids, too. The salad tastes identical to the restaurant.
Beth  
Submitted on 06/05/06
I love this recipe. We make it often as we can. Sometimes I cheat on the chicken and pick it up already fried at the deli. Yumm.
Yvonne  
Submitted on 06/03/06
It's great - as close to the real thing as possible. Dressing keeps well in fridge. I've made this salad since the recipe was first available a number of years ago.
Hilary  
Submitted on 05/27/06
When I order the salad I never get soy sauce on it, but some people have commented about something missing and that might be it, but nothing taste as good as the original. Also a suggestion, I have ranch dressing with mine.
Cathy  
Submitted on 05/26/06
Excellent recipe.... good time saving tips in some of the comments...another time saver is to use Marzetti's sweet and sour dressing.... it tastes like Applebee's, I've used it for years and everyone seems to like it.
Anne  
Submitted on 05/01/06
This is sooo close, but not quite there... problem is I can't put my finger on it. The dressing is right on and very excellent, but when everything is mixed together the taste just isn't quite the same. I use bagged salad greens and I am suspecting them as the culprit. Handy as they might be, they don't taste as good as fresh heads of romaine and cabbage. I also will only use the white portion of the green onions called for... using the green tops makes the "grassy" onion flavor too strong. All in all a great salad and worth the trouble of making yourself!
Tami  
Submitted on 03/30/06
This IS the Applebee's Chinese Chicken Salad but in the comfort of your home! And guess what?....you don't have to ask for extra dressing on the side because you can double the recipe and have all you want! Most Excellent!
Elaine Rossomano  
Submitted on 03/27/06
We love this salad !! I used rice noodles instead of chow mein.Fantastic.I used to order this everytime we went to applebees,not anymore.
Heidi  
Submitted on 03/18/06
This is a extremely good Salad. The Dressing is one of the best oriental dressings I have tasted yet. I doubled this recipe easily and had it again last night, being a salad lover :o)
DeLois  
Submitted on 03/07/06
This is one of the best salads I have ever eaten. My whole family enjoys it, especially the dressing.
Patti  
Submitted on 03/05/06
Love this salad and the dressing.
Adam  
Submitted on 03/04/06
This recipe was right on the button to the Applebee's recipe. I'm glad I can stay at home and make this and save money at the same time!
Carol  
Submitted on 02/17/06
My husband and I loved this recipe. I took the easy way out and bought breaded chicken pieces and bought coleslaw for the cabbage. It was fast and very delicious. I am going to make this for a camping trip with friends. Served with bread.
wyzgirl14  
Submitted on 02/15/06
I just made this salad for the first time last night and my family and I loved it! It tastes very close to Applebee's Oriental Chicken Salad. I made it exactly as stated in the recipe, except for adding a little more chicken, carrots and chow mein noodles. Definitely a keeper! YUM!
Linda  
Submitted on 02/03/06
I like the salad with grilled chicken. This salad dressing is soooooo goood!
Kent  
Submitted on 01/30/06
Close. I still find the original better but perhaps the more I make this the better I will get at making it. Would rate this very good....just not perfect.
Tammy  
Submitted on 01/28/06
I love this recipe too!! instead of chow mein noodles I use top ramen noodles.
Alana  
Submitted on 01/18/06
I love this recipe. I also use store bought chicken and think that it is just as good. I also like it in a whole wheat wrap.
Fawn  
Submitted on 12/17/05
It has helped me lose weight.
Colleen  
Submitted on 11/22/05
My daughter brought this salad to a family dinner and everyone loved it--especially me! I use it for every carry-in function and am so proud of the comments. It's definitly my favorite salad and I had tasted it at Applebee's first. I plan to use some of the short-cuts others have shared now.
Lorraine  
Submitted on 11/10/05
I tweaked this dressing to fit my family's taste and they like it better than Applebee's. A while ago, I asked for the ingredients because my mom is a diabetic. The dressing is processed in a factory. They said sugar was a main ingredient and they also use chicken broth in the mix!!
Kathy  
Submitted on 10/04/05
Awesome! I don't know if I will ever buy bottled salad dressing again. I really love this stuff.
Michelle  
Submitted on 09/24/05
I love this recipe!! I was so psyched when I saw it listed. I too slighlty decreased the vinegar and added a tad more honey to make the dressing more authentic. It was a dead ringer for the real thing. Yummy!
icdahl  
Submitted on 09/14/05
Excellent salad. I use it as part of my diet. I eat this every Thursday on special at Applebee's & have it with a tall glass of Ice Tea mmm!!! It's very refreshing!! Try it & you'll really love it!!!
Don Quico  
Submitted on 09/10/05
Perfect, taste better than the original. My family and I love it. Thanks.
Judi  
Submitted on 09/09/05
Yet another fabulous clone recipe! This is my daughter's favorite dish at Applebees and now I have it at my disposal to make whenever she wishes. She usually always asks for it on her birthday. I, also, use frozen breaded chicken, prepackaged shredded red cabbage and julienned carrots to cut down on prep time. Every bit worth the time it takes to make!
joanna  
Submitted on 09/07/05
I LOVE THIS SALAD. THANK YOU FOR FIGURING OUT THE RECIPE. I ASKED THE GENERAL MANAGER AT MY NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANT FOR THE RECIPE, HE SAID HE COULD GIVE IT TO ME, BUT WOULD THEN HAVE TO SLAY ME. TOP SECRET STUFF.
pam  
Submitted on 08/24/05
I tried this the other night using the bagged lettuce and coleslaw mix and it was great! My husband loved it and so did everyone else!
Connie  
Submitted on 08/23/05
My favorite dish at Applebees is now at my disposal! Although the prep work takes a while it is soooo worth it. I, too, use frozen breaded chicken.
Denise  
Submitted on 08/22/05
I love this recipe, I make it at least once a week. The coating makes the chicken crunchy, just the way we like it. I think the dressing is great, but my kids don't like it. I think because of the vinegar or because they just REALLY like Ranch dressing ALOT!!
Peggy  
Submitted on 08/08/05
This is very good but is a bit different from the restaurant one. Next time I will use less mustard and perhaps more honey and/or mayonnaise to see if that equals it.
Julie  
Submitted on 08/06/05
I have made this salad a number of times and my family loves it, the dressing is a great hit both my children love it, which is always a good thing. I use this dressing in a number of different recipes.
Rick  
Submitted on 07/19/05
I do like Jane, below, says. I make extra dressing and keep it on hand. Using the bagged, washed salad mix, throwing on some pre-shredded coleslaw mix (the Asian greens) while tossing in a few sliced almonds and those chinese chowmein noodles. Quick and tasty.
Kissfan  
Submitted on 07/18/05
Very delicious!
Jane  
Submitted on 07/18/05
I love this dish....I keep extra dressing in the frig and use regular lettuce, grocery store fried chicken tenders, and sliced almonds to make a quick salad for lunches in the summer.