WW-Friendly Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad

This light and refreshing Asian-inspired salad is packed with fresh ingredients, lean protein, and a tangy sesame dressing. It’s perfect as a main dish or a side, and it won’t derail your WW journey!

Ingredients:

  • 2 small bags of coleslaw mix (about 12 cups) — 0 points
  • 4 cups rotisserie chicken, skin removed, finely chopped — 0 points (white meat only)
  • 1 cup toasted sliced almonds — 15 points (reduce for fewer points)
  • ½ cup dried cranberries (use reduced-sugar variety) — 6 points
  • ¾ cup red onion, finely diced — 0 points
  • 1 cup chopped cilantro — 0 points
  • 1 small can mandarin oranges, drained (in juice, no syrup) — 3 points
  • 2 Tbsp black sesame seeds — 2 points
  • ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil — 28 points (reduce to lower points)
  • ¼ cup balsamic vinegar — 0 points
  • 3 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce — 0 points
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced — 0 points
  • 1 Tbsp honey — 4 points (reduce for fewer points)
  • 1 Tbsp minced ginger — 0 points
  • 2 tsp toasted sesame oil — 3 points

Instructions:

  1. Toast the almonds: Toast sliced almonds in a microwave or broil on low for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
  2. Prepare the salad: In a large bowl, layer coleslaw mix, rotisserie chicken, almonds, dried cranberries, red onion, sesame seeds, cilantro, and mandarin oranges.
  3. Make the dressing: In a blender, combine olive oil, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, honey, ginger, and sesame oil. Blend until smooth.
  4. Assemble the salad: Pour the dressing lightly over the salad mixture and toss gently. Serve immediately.

WW Points (per serving, 8 servings total):

  • Total points per serving: ~8 points
    To reduce points, you can decrease the amount of almonds, cranberries, or mandarin oranges.

Pro Tip:

This salad is versatile—enjoy it as a meal, bring it to potlucks, or use it as a filling for lettuce wraps or sandwiches the next day! The sweet and tangy dressing pairs beautifully with the crunch of the cabbage and almonds, creating a perfect balance of flavors.

Here is the estimated nutrition information for the Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad (per serving, assuming 8 servings):

Nutrition Information (per serving):

  • Calories: ~390 kcal
  • Protein: ~24g
  • Fat: ~28g
    • Saturated Fat: ~3.5g
  • Carbohydrates: ~18g
    • Fiber: ~4g
    • Sugars: ~9g (from honey, cranberries, and mandarin oranges)
  • Sodium: ~550mg
  • Cholesterol: ~65mg

Notes:

  • Calories: The majority of calories come from the olive oil, almonds, and cranberries.
  • Protein: Lean chicken provides a good amount of protein.
  • Fat: The healthy fats mainly come from olive oil, almonds, and sesame oil.
  • Carbs: Lower carb options (e.g., using less honey or reduced-sugar cranberries) can bring down the carb count.

For a more detailed breakdown or changes to suit your needs (e.g., lowering the fat content), ingredients like almonds or the amount of oil used can be adjusted.