Viral Orange Sesame Chicken Salad with Trader Joe’s Crispy Orange Chicken

Viral Orange Sesame Chicken Salad with a Trader Joe’s Twist

I’ve been trying out some viral recipes this week and it’s been so fun! Earlier this week I made the much-loved La Scala chopped salad (linked here) and it instantly became a new favorite – especially for events! Today, I’m diving into the viral orange sesame chicken salad—but with my own twist to keep things simple and delicious. This salad is a vibrant mix of crunchy cabbage, juicy oranges, creamy avocado, and savory orange chicken, all tied together with a tangy sesame dressing.

Instead of making chicken from scratch, I turned to a classic favorite: Trader Joe’s orange chicken. This little shortcut makes the recipe super quick and just as flavorful, perfect for an easy lunch or dinner that feels special but doesn’t require hours in the kitchen.

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Ingredients

For the Salad:

• 1 bag of Trader Joe’s orange chicken (prepared according to package instructions)
• 1 head of cabbage, shredded
• 2 oranges, peeled and segmented
• 1 avocado, diced
• 1 cup green onions, chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds

For the Dressing:

• 1/4 cup sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons coconut aminos (or soy sauce)
• 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar

Need a link?

1. Fluted saladbowls
2. Gold measuring cups and spoons set
3. White and gold knife set
4. Ribbed salad bowls
5. Large mason jars
6. Tongs set
7. Ninja food processor, slicer, dough mixer
8. Checked bamboo cutting board set
9. Dotted ceramic pasta and salad bowls

How to Make It

1. Cook the Orange Chicken
   Prepare the Trader Joe’s orange chicken according to the package directions. Once cooked, toss it in the included orange sauce and set aside to cool slightly.
2. Prep the Salad Base
   While the chicken is cooking, shred the cabbage and add it to a large bowl. Add the orange segments, diced avocado, green onions and cilantro.
3. Toast the Slivered Almonds
   When the chicken is done cooking, remove from the pan and add in the slivered almonds. Toast them in the pan with the leftover orange chicken sauce for a few minutes.
4. Make the Dressing
   In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the sesame oil, maple syrup, coconut aminos, and rice wine vinegar. Adjust to taste if needed—if you like it sweeter, add a little more maple syrup; if you want it tangier, a splash more vinegar does the trick.
5. Assemble the Salad
   Add the cooked orange chicken to the salad bowl. Drizzle the dressing over the top and toss everything together until evenly coated.
6. Serve and Enjoy!
   Serve immediately for the freshest flavors and enjoy the vibrant mix of crunchy cabbage, juicy oranges, creamy avocado, and savory orange chicken.

More salad options

Viral La Scala Chopped Salad

Linked here

Southwest Buffalo Chicken Salad

Linked here

Why This Salad is a Must-Try

What makes this salad so special is the combination of textures and flavors. The cabbage gives it that perfect crunch, the oranges and maple syrup bring sweetness, and the cilantro and sesame oil add an earthy depth. Using Trader Joe’s orange chicken not only saves time but also brings a bold, tangy kick that ties the whole salad together.

This recipe has all the makings of a viral hit: it’s easy to make, full of vibrant colors, and absolutely packed with flavor. Whether you’re meal-prepping for the week or serving this at a dinner party, it’s guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

Have you tried this viral orange sesame chicken salad yet? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Viral Orange Sesame Chicken Salad with Trader Joe’s Crispy Orange Chicken

This salad is a vibrant mix of crunchy cabbage, juicy oranges, creamy avocado, and savory orange chicken, all tied together with a tangy sesame dressing. The cabbage gives it that perfect crunch, the oranges and maple syrup bring sweetness, and the cilantro and sesame oil add an earthy depth. Using Trader Joe’s orange chicken not only saves time but also brings a bold, tangy kick that ties the whole salad together.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time15 minutes mins

Cook Time10 minutes mins

CourseSalad

Ingredients

  

For the salad

• 1 bag of Trader Joe’s orange chicken prepared according to package instructions
• 1 head of cabbage shredded
• 2 oranges peeled and segmented
• 1 avocado diced
• 1 cup green onions chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• 1/4 cup slivered almonds

The dressing

• 1/4 cup sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons coconut aminos or soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar

Instructions

 

• Cook the Orange Chicken
• Prepare the Trader Joe’s orange chicken according to the package directions. Once cooked, toss it in the included orange sauce and set aside to cool slightly.
• Prep the Salad Base
• While the chicken is cooking, shred the cabbage and add it to a large bowl. Add the orange segments, diced avocado, green onions and cilantro.
• Toast the Slivered Almonds
• When the chicken is done cooking, remove from the pan and add in the slivered almonds. Toast them in the pan with the leftover orange chicken sauce for a few minutes.
• Make the Dressing
• In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the sesame oil, maple syrup, coconut aminos, and rice wine vinegar. Adjust to taste if needed—if you like it sweeter, add a little more maple syrup; if you want it tangier, a splash more vinegar does the trick.
• Assemble the Salad
• Add the cooked orange chicken to the salad bowl. Drizzle the dressing over the top and toss everything together until evenly coated.
• Serve and Enjoy!
• Serve immediately for the freshest flavors and enjoy the vibrant mix of crunchy cabbage, juicy oranges, creamy avocado, and savory orange chicken.

Keywordbuffalo chicken salad, orange chicken, sesame chicken, viral salad