Description
This Chinese Chicken Salad recipe is a vibrant and refreshing meal combining crisp romaine lettuce, crunchy napa cabbage, tender shredded chicken, and a mix of colorful vegetables. Tossed with a flavorful homemade sesame vinaigrette, it provides a perfect balance of textures and tastes for a light yet satisfying dish, ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 3 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 3 cups shredded napa cabbage
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1/2 cup shredded carrots
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 cup shelled edamame
- 1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/3 cup toasted sliced almonds
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
Vinaigrette
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons low sodium soy sauce (or tamari)
- 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Vinaigrette: Combine rice vinegar, honey, avocado oil, toasted sesame oil, low sodium soy sauce, grated fresh ginger, toasted sesame seeds, salt, and black pepper in a jar with a lid or a bowl. Shake or whisk vigorously until the ingredients are thoroughly blended. Refrigerate the vinaigrette until needed to enhance the flavors.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, place the romaine lettuce, napa cabbage, cooked shredded chicken, shredded carrots, chopped red bell pepper, shelled edamame, green onions, and chopped cilantro. Gently toss these ingredients together ensuring an even distribution of the components.
- Toss with Vinaigrette: Gradually pour the prepared vinaigrette over the salad while tossing the mixture to coat the ingredients evenly. Add just enough dressing to your liking, making sure the salad is well dressed but not soggy.
- Serve Immediately: Sprinkle the toasted sliced almonds and additional toasted sesame seeds over the salad as a garnish. Serve the salad fresh to enjoy the crisp textures and vibrant flavors at their best.
Notes
- Use cooked chicken breast or rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- To make the salad vegetarian, omit the chicken and increase the edamame and almonds.
- For a gluten-free option, ensure soy sauce or tamari used is gluten-free.
- The salad is best enjoyed immediately to maintain crispness; dressing ahead may cause sogginess.
- You can toast your own almonds and sesame seeds for enhanced flavor.
