Chinese Chicken Salad
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
30 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
5
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Course
Main Course, Salad
Chinese Chicken Salad
Description
The Chinese Chicken Salad features a blend of cooked shredded chicken breast alongside crunchy vegetables like romaine and Napa cabbage, red bell pepper, carrot, and green onions. The dressing is a creamy mixture incorporating peanut butter, toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, fresh lime juice, honey, ginger, and garlic, with optional spices adding mild heat and depth. Tossing the salad with this dressing results in a moist, flavorful dish with rich nutty and tangy accents complemented by the fresh herbs and crunchy nuts. Optional garnishes like toasted sesame seeds and crispy wonton strips add further texture variation.
This salad is served immediately after dressing to maintain crispness and freshness. It works well as a light entree or as part of a buffet and can be adjusted to individual servings or tossed altogether. Using shredded rotisserie chicken saves time and provides tender protein contrasting with the crunchy vegetables and peanuts.
The dressing benefits from chilling before use, allowing flavors to meld. The notes mention that sesame seeds and wonton strips are optional and not included in nutrition calculations. For best texture, serve the salad right after tossing.
Ingredients
Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil or vegetable oil, light
- 3 Tbsp peanut butter creamy
- 2 Tbsp sesame oil toasted
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 Tbsp lime juice fresh
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 1 Tbsp peeled and minced ginger
- 1 1/2 tsp minced garlic (1 large clove)
- 1/2 tsp Chinese five spice (optional)
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional), or more to taste
Salad
- 1/2 large head romaine lettuce shredded
- 1/2 medium head Napa cabbage cored and shredded
- 3 cups chicken breast cooked shredded rotisserie
- 1 large red bell pepper cored, seeded and sliced
- 1 large carrot juliened
- 4 green onion sliced
- 1/2 cup rough chopped cilantro
- 1/2 cup rough chopped peanuts or cashews
- 2 Tbsp sesame seeds optional, toasted
- wonton strips homemade or store-bought (optional, fried
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a medium mixing bowl whisk together oil, peanut butter, sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, honey, ginger, garlic, Chinese five spice and red pepper flakes.
- Transfer dressing to fridge and chill preferably for 30 minutes (or freeze for 15).
- For the salad: In a large serving bowl toss together lettuce, cabbage, chicken, bell pepper, carrot, green onions and cilantro. Top with peanuts and sesame seeds.
- Add dressing to entire salad and toss or add dressing to individual servings. Serve immediately after adding dressing.
Notes
- Chill the dressing before adding to the salad to develop the flavors.
- Wonton strips and sesame seeds are optional toppings that add extra crunch.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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