Mandarin Orange Salad (with Chicken)

Mandarin Orange Salad with Chicken is sweet, yummy and full of fresh flavor. With the bursting tastes of red pomegranate, cherry tomatoes, and mandarin oranges, you’ll be sure to wow your guests with this colorful salad.

Salad topped with mandarin oranges, cherry tomatoes, sliced chicken and dressing.

This delicious mandarin salad recipe is a family favorite of ours. It’s such a pretty salad with the vibrant colors of the ingredients. The delicious orange flavor makes a festive salad for almost any Christmas or Thanksgiving party or summer potlucks.

Topping this mandarin orange salad with the salad dressing and avocado slices, adds brilliant flavor to this excellent salad. For a more fruit-filled salad, you can add sliced fresh strawberries, blueberries, peaches, or pears. The options are endless!

Ingredients

Salad Ingredients:

Chicken Breast
Salt
Black Pepper
Olive oil
Lettuce
Mandarin Oranges
Cherry Tomatoes
Onion
Pomegranate Seeds

For the dressing:

Olive Oil
Honey
Lemon Juice
Dijon Mustard
Salt
Black Pepper

Instructions:

Season chicken breast on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat a non-stick skillet on medium high heat with olive oil. Sear chicken on each side until cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside on a kitchen towel to remove the excess of oil.
Add leafy green of choice, sliced mandarin oranges, cherry tomatoes, onion and pomegranate in a large bowl.
Slice chicken breast or cut into bite-sized pieces and add to the salad.
Prepare the dressing by combining all ingredients in a small bowl. Stir the ingredients until creamy. Pour the dressing on to the salad.
Toss salad then serve. This mandarin salad cold is best served cold.

Making the Dressing

The dressing can be prepared in advance and kept in the refrigerator until ready to use. I also like to add fresh lemon juice or orange juice to the dressing and a teaspoon zest for great flavor. If you don’t have fresh mandarin oranges, you can also use a can of drained mandarin oranges, which can also save prep time.

Mandarin orange chicken in a white bowl with dressing being poured over top.

FAQ’s

What other toppings can I use in this Mandarin Chicken Salad?

Because this orange mandarin salad is so versatile, there are so many options of toppings that will complement this dish! Top your salad with sesame seeds, dried cranberries, a teaspoon of poppy seeds, sugared almonds, or goat cheese.

Can I use any lettuce?

You can use any green lettuce for this green salad such as, crisp iceberg lettuce, arugula, spinach greens, romaine lettuce, spring mix, leafy greens or any of your favorite lettuce.

What family dinners pair well with Mandarin Salad?

This dish is great on its own, however, it is a great side dish when served with Air Fryer Chicken Breast or Air Fryer Salmon.

How do I store leftovers?

This Mandarin Chicken Salad will be such a family favorite that I’m sure you won’t have any left over to store. If you decide to save some to enjoy the next day, place in an airtight container or mason jar and store for 3-5 days.

Small serving of salad in a white bowl being served with a fork

MORE RECIPES:

Leafy greens tossed with orange slices, vegetables, and chicken pieces in a white bowl.

Mandarin Orange Salad

Becky

Mandarin Orange Salad with Chicken is bursting with flavor! Mixed fruits with perfect seasonings, make this a family favorite!

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 6

Course Lunch, Main, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings

Calories 401 kcal

Equipment

1 Frying Pan

Ingredients

Salad Ingredients

2 chicken breast boneless, skinless, about 1/2 a pound
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil or canola oil
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 cups green leaf lettuce
4 medium mandarin oranges
1 cup cherry tomatoes sliced in half
1 small onion sliced
1 cup pomegranate seeds

Dressing Ingredients

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

Season chicken breast on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat a non-stick skillet on medium high heat with olive oil. Sear chicken on each side until cooked through. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside on a kitchen towel to remove the excess of oil.
Add leafy green of choice, sliced mandarin oranges, cherry tomatoes, onion and pomegranate in a salad bowl.
Slice chicken breast or cut into bite-sized pieces and add to the salad.
Prepare the dressing by combining all ingredients in a small bowl. Stir the ingredients until creamy. Pour the dressing on to the salad.
Toss salad then serve. This mandarin salad cold is best served cold.

Notes

Tips:

You can use other salad dressings besides this citrus dressing, such as poppy seed dressing, a creamy avocado dressing, simple citrus vinaigrette or any favorite homemade salad dressing.

If you want to add a few more fruits to the mix, add in chopped pineapples or apples.

To make this salad have more of a dessert flavor like an ambrosia salad, add a whipped topping like cool whip, or even fold in mini marshmallows.

To make the salad more savory, add pecans, walnuts, sliced almonds, or roasted peanuts. You can also top it with parmesan, chopped celery, or crumbled blue cheese for added texture.

Nutrition

Calories: 401kcalCarbohydrates: 29gProtein: 27gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 72mgSodium: 450mgPotassium: 858mgFiber: 5gSugar: 21gVitamin A: 3488IUVitamin C: 44mgCalcium: 70mgIron: 2mg

*Nutritional information is a calculated guesstimate. Please note that this can change with different brands and modifications you may make to the recipe. For the most accurate information, use a nutritional calculator with the exact brands and measurements you’re using with each recipe.

©PinkWhen 2023

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Mandarin Orange Salad

Ingredients

Instructions:

Making the Dressing

FAQ’s