Asian Chicken Cranberry Salad

This is one of those "seen on Facebook" things that was really good!!!!    
It's from this website:    http://reluctantentertainer.com/asian-chicken-cranberry-salad/

ASIAN CHICKEN CRANBERRY SALAD

YIELD: 8-10

 

PREP TIME: 15 miutes

 

TOTAL TIME: 15 minutes

Toast almonds by laying on a paper towel and microwaving for 1 minute, turning once. Or, toast the sliced almonds under low broil for 2-3 minutes, until golden brown. You can also make your own cabbage mix with green and purple cabbage with a tiny bit of carrots.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 small bags of coleslaw mix (about 12 cups)
• 4 cups rotisserie chicken, finely chopped
• 1 1/2 cups toasted sliced almonds (or cashews)
• 1 1/2 cup dried cranberries (I used Orange Cranberries from Trader Joe’s)
• 3/4 cup red onion, finely diced
• 1 cup sesame sticks (found in the bulk aisle at grocery store - optional)
• 1 1/2 cups chopped cilantro
• 1/4 cup black sesame seeds
• 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
• 4 Tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
• 3-4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 4 Tbsp. honey or brown sugar
• 4 Tbsp. minced ginger
• 2 tsp. toasted sesame oil

DIRECTIONS:

1. Layer the cabbage in a large bowl with chicken, almonds (or cashews, or both), cranberries, red onion, sesame seeds, sesame sticks (optional), and fresh cilantro.
2. Combine the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, honey, ginger, and sesame oil in a blender. Add 3 tablespoons of water. Process until smooth.
3. Lightly pour the dressing over the salad mixture, according to how moist you like the salad. Gently toss and serve. (You may have a little dressing left over.)