This sesame chicken celery root salad is loaded with raw shredded celeriac (or celery root), so it’s perfectly crunchy and full of flavor without the possibility of wilting! Enjoy this heathy sesame chicken salad remix as a fresh meal, or meal-prepped lunch!

Sesame Ginger Chicken Celery Root Salad in two bowls with chop sticks beside them

Table of contents

Why I Love This Recipe For Sesame Chicken Celery Root Salad

There’s a reason everyone loves the traditional old faithful recipes, and believe me, I love them too! But in this case, my love of my simple sauteéd celery root recipe inspired a revelation within me that was so strong I had to remix an old classic. Turns out the remix is not only delicious, but it’s also a healthier version of the original!

This Sesame Chicken Celery Root Salad is loosely based on the classic cabbage ramen noodle salad. Expect this version is free of lettuce and cabbage which means no wilting. That means it is perfect for planned leftovers. Pack them right up for tomorrow’s lunch and you will be so happy you did.

Asian Celeriac Salad in two separate bowls

Key Ingredients for This Recipe

Celery Root

You get your celery root (or celeriac) sold with the stem attached, you can cut the stems off and repurpose them for another recipe (like chicken stock!). You’ll typically find your celery root in the refrigerated portion of the produce department with other root vegetables.

For this recipe, you’re going to peel the celery root.

Chicken Breast

To cook the chicken breast, bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and stir to dissolve. Add 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts and return to a simmer over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer and cook, turning occasionally to make sure it cooks evenly, until the chicken is cooked through, 15 to 17 minutes.

Transfer the chicken to a cutting board to cool, at least 20 minutes before shredding.

Additional Ingredients

  • Carrots
  • Fresh basil (preferably Thai basil), or cilantro
  • Garlic, peeled and grated with a Microplane, or finely minced
  • White vinegar
  • Toasted sesame oil
  • Pure maple syrup, dark or amber (or agave)
  • Reduced-sodium tamari (or reduced-sodium soy sauce if not gluten-free)
  • Sesame seeds
  • Grated fresh ginger root
  • Salt
  • Pepper
close up of Asian Celery Root Salad with shredded carrots

Step By Step Instructions To Make Asian Celery Root Salad

Step 1: Shred and Combine

Shred your carrots and celery root on a box grater or with the grating attachment of a food processor.

Then, combine the carrots, celery root, cooked and shredded chicken, and basil in a large salad bowl.

Step 2: Mix Dressing

Combine garlic, vinegar, sesame oil, maple syrup, tamari, sesame seeds, ginger, salt, and pepper in a jar and shake to combine.

Step 3: Toss Salad

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.

Step 4: Divide and Serve

Divide the dressed salad among 4 large plates and serve!

two bowls of sesame Chicken Salad

FAQs and Expert Tips

Are celery and celery root the same thing?

They’re not the same vegetable, but they are in the same family! Many people think celery root is simply the root of celery, but it’s actually a different root entirely.

What does celery root taste like?

If you haven’t tasted celery root, you’re in for a treat! It has a sort of sweet taste that’s a mixture of potatoes and celery with other earthy flavors. I bet you’ll love it!

Additional Recipes To Try

Thanks so much for reading! If you are new here, you may want to sign up for my email newsletter to get a free weekly menu plan and the latest recipes right to your inbox. If you make this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review. I would love to hear what you thought!

Happy Cooking! ~Katie

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
black bowl with the shredded celery root salad with chicken and carrots

Sesame Chicken Celery Root Salad

★★★★★

5 from 3 reviews
Print Recipe

Description

This sesame chicken salad is wilt-free and loaded with shredded celeriac (or celery root.) This make-over contains no lettuce which means it makes a killer lunch tomorrow too!

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large carrots, peeled
  • 1 large celery root, peeled (about 1 pound to 1 1/4 pounds)
  • 3 cups shredded cooked chicken breast (see Recipe Note)
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil (preferably Thai basil), or cilantro
  • 1 small clove garlic, peeled and grated with a Microplane, or finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons white vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup, dark or amber (or agave)
  • 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium tamari, coconut aminos or soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger root
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

  1. Shred carrots and celery root on a box grater or with the grating attachment of a food processor. Combine the carrots, celery root, chicken, and basil in a large salad bowl.
  2. Combine garlic, vinegar, sesame oil, maple syrup, tamari, sesame seeds, ginger, salt, and pepper in a jar and shake to combine.
  3. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
  4. Divide among 4 large plates to serve.

Notes

To cook chicken: Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and stir to dissolve. Add 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts and return to a simmer over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer and cook, turning occasionally to make sure it cooks evenly, until the chicken is cooked through, 15 to 17 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board to cool, at least 20 minutes before shredding.

  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stove Top
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4 servings
  • Calories: 326
  • Sugar: 9 g
  • Sodium: 712 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 21 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 32 g

Keywords: Sesame Chicken salad, celery root salad, celeriac salad, Asian Celeriac Salad, Healthy Asian Chicken Salad, Asian Celery Root Salad

Did you make this recipe?

Make sure you come back to the recipe post to leave a star rating and review.