This light Chinese chicken salad recipe is a refreshing and healthy dish that's perfect for a summer lunch or dinner. It is a delightful blend of crunch, color, and flavor that combines grilled chicken with fresh vegetables and a tangy Asian-inspired dressing. The salad is also topped with crispy wontons and toasted almonds for added texture and taste.
Photos of Light Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe
The recipe calls for some ingredients that you may not have on hand but are readily available in most supermarkets. Fresh ginger, hoisin sauce, sriracha, and rice wine vinegar are all staples in Asian cooking and add depth and flavor to the salad. Napa cabbage, also known as Chinese cabbage, has a light and sweet flavor and is often used in salads and stir-fries. Wonton strips, which are typically found in the Asian aisle or salad topping section, add a satisfying crunch to the salad.
Ingredients for Light Chinese Chicken Salad
soy sauce: A staple in Asian cuisine, soy sauce adds a salty, umami flavor to the salad dressing.
fresh ginger: Fresh ginger adds a spicy, aromatic note that enhances the overall flavor of the salad.
canola oil: Canola oil is used in the dressing for its neutral taste and smooth consistency.
hoisin sauce: This sweet and tangy sauce adds a unique flavor profile to the salad dressing.
toasted sesame oil: Toasted sesame oil imparts a rich, nutty flavor to the dressing.
sriracha: Sriracha adds a spicy kick to the salad, but you can adjust the amount to suit your taste.
kosher salt: This variety of coarse salt enhances the flavors of the salad ingredients.
chicken breast: Chicken breast is a lean source of protein. It's grilled for this recipe, adding a smoky flavor.
rice wine vinegar: This vinegar adds a tangy note to the salad dressing, balancing out the other ingredients.
napa cabbage: Napa cabbage is light and crispy, adding a refreshing crunch to the salad.
carrots: Carrots add a sweet flavor and vibrant color to the salad.
scallions: Also known as green onions, scallions add a mild, oniony flavor to the salad.
fresh cilantro leaves: Cilantro contributes a fresh, citrusy note to the salad.
wontons: These crispy strips add texture and a satisfying crunch to the salad.
slivered almonds: Toasted almonds add a nutty flavor and extra crunch to the salad.
white sesame seeds: These seeds are a common garnish in Asian cuisine and add a slight crunch.
One reader, Cecilla Root says:
This light Chinese chicken salad recipe is a game-changer! The flavors are so vibrant and the combination of ingredients is just perfect. It's a refreshing and healthy option for a quick and delicious meal. I love how the dressing ties everything together. Definitely a new favorite in my recipe collection!
Key Techniques for Making Chinese Chicken Salad
How to toast almonds: Place the sliced almonds in a dry pan and toast on medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes until they start to brown, swirling them around the pan to avoid burning.
How to grill chicken: Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then cook on a grill pan for 3 to 5 minutes on each side over medium-high heat until fully cooked.
How to make dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, ginger, canola oil, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, sriracha, salt, and rice wine vinegar to make the dressing.
How to slice chicken: Cut the cooked chicken crosswise into ¼-inch-thick slices.
How to toss salad: In a large bowl, toss the chicken, cabbage, carrots, scallions, cilantro, and half of the almonds with enough dressing to coat lightly. Add in the wonton strips and toss lightly again.
How to plate the salad: Mound the salad in the center of 4 plates. Re-whisk the dressing, then drizzle a little over and around the salad. Sprinkle with the remaining almonds and sesame seeds.
How to serve: Serve and enjoy!
How To Make Light Chinese Chicken Salad
Crispy grilled chicken tossed with wontons and almonds give this Chinese chicken salad a great crunchy texture! Toss this up in less than 30 minutes.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 2tbspsoy sauce,reduced-sodium
- 1tbspfresh ginger,very finely chopped, peeled
- 1tbspcanola oil
- 1tbsphoisin sauce
- 1tsptoasted sesame oil
- ½tspSriracha
- ½tspkosher salt
- 1lbchicken breast,boneless, skinless
- ¼cuprice wine vinegar
- 1lbnapa cabbage,halved lengthwise, very thinly sliced crosswise
- 2carrots,julienned
- 3scallions,white and green parts, thinly sliced on a sharp diagonal
- ½cupfresh cilantro leaves,lightly packed
- ½cupwontons,crispy
- ½cupslivered almonds,toasted
- 2tspwhite sesame seeds
Instructions
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Place the sliced almonds in a dry pan, then toast on medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes until they start to brown. Swirl them around the pan to avoid burning.
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Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Cook on a grill pan for 3 to 5 minutes on each side on medium-high.
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In a small bowl, whisk the soy sauce, ginger, canola oil, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, sriracha, salt and vinegar.
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Cut chicken crosswise into ¼-inch-thick slices.
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In a large bowl, toss the chicken, cabbage, carrots, scallions, cilantro, and half of the almonds with enough dressing to coat lightly. Add in the wonton strips, then toss lightly again.
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Mound the salad in the center of 4 plates.
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Re-whisk the dressing, then drizzle a little over and around salad. Sprinkle with the remaining almonds and sesame seeds.
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Serve, and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 370.91kcal
- Fat: 23.12g
- Saturated Fat: 4.13g
- Trans Fat: 0.13g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 11.61g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 5.91g
- Carbohydrates: 11.98g
- Fiber: 4.41g
- Sugar: 4.81g
- Protein: 29.81g
- Cholesterol: 72.69mg
- Sodium: 740.77mg
- Calcium: 207.08mg
- Potassium: 826.38mg
- Iron: 2.93mg
- Vitamin A: 547.13µg
- Vitamin C: 55.57mg
Expert Technique Tip for Perfect Chinese Chicken Salad
When toasting your slivered almonds, keep a close eye on them as they can easily burn due to their thin size. Stir them frequently to ensure even toasting. This will enhance their flavor and add a delightful crunch to your Chinese chicken salad.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing Chinese Chicken Salad
Prep ahead: Chop vegetables and marinate the chicken the night before to save time on the day of cooking.
Use pre-cut ingredients: Consider using pre-cut vegetables and pre-cooked chicken to cut down on prep time.
One-pot cooking: Opt for recipes that allow you to cook everything in one pot or pan to minimize cleanup time.
Batch cooking: Make a larger portion and store the extra servings for quick and easy meals throughout the week.
Organize your workspace: Keep all your ingredients and tools within reach to streamline the cooking process.
Follow the recipe: Stick to the recipe to avoid unnecessary steps and save time on guesswork.
Multitask: While one component is cooking, use that time to prep other ingredients to maximize efficiency.
Invest in time-saving tools: Consider using kitchen gadgets like a food processor or mandoline to speed up prep work.
Clean as you go: Wash and put away dishes and utensils as you cook to minimize cleanup time at the end.
Substitute Ingredients For Light Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe
soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce and has a similar rich, savory flavor.
canola oil - Substitute with vegetable oil: Vegetable oil can be used as a neutral substitute for canola oil in this recipe.
hoisin sauce - Substitute with plum sauce: Plum sauce has a similar sweet and tangy flavor that can replace hoisin sauce in this recipe.
toasted sesame oil - Substitute with peanut oil: Peanut oil has a nutty flavor that can provide a similar depth to the dish as toasted sesame oil.
sriracha - Substitute with chili garlic sauce: Chili garlic sauce can add a spicy kick and garlicky flavor similar to sriracha.
chicken breast - Substitute with tofu: Tofu can be used as a vegetarian alternative to chicken in this recipe, providing a similar protein component.
rice wine vinegar - Substitute with apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar can offer a slightly fruity and tangy flavor similar to rice wine vinegar.
napa cabbage - Substitute with bok choy: Bok choy can be used as a substitute for napa cabbage, providing a similar mild and slightly sweet flavor.
carrots - Substitute with daikon radish: Daikon radish can add a crunchy texture and a slightly peppery flavor similar to carrots.
scallions - Substitute with chives: Chives can provide a mild onion flavor similar to scallions in this recipe.
fresh cilantro leaves - Substitute with fresh parsley: Fresh parsley can offer a similar fresh and herbaceous flavor to cilantro.
wontons - Substitute with crispy chow mein noodles: Crispy chow mein noodles can add a similar crunch and texture to the dish as wontons.
slivered almonds - Substitute with cashews: Cashews can provide a creamy and nutty flavor similar to slivered almonds.
white sesame seeds - Substitute with black sesame seeds: Black sesame seeds can be used as a visually striking alternative to white sesame seeds, offering a slightly nuttier flavor.
Presentation Tips for a Stunning Chinese Chicken Salad
Elevate the plating: When presenting the dish, focus on creating a visually stunning plate. Use colorful and vibrant ingredients to add visual appeal. Consider the balance of colors and shapes to create an eye-catching presentation.
Incorporate texture: Introduce a variety of textures to the dish to add complexity and interest. Utilize crispy wontons, crunchy slivered almonds, and tender chicken to create a delightful textural experience.
Emphasize freshness: Highlight the freshness of the ingredients by arranging them thoughtfully on the plate. Use crisp Napa cabbage and vibrant carrot ribbons to showcase the quality of the produce.
Balance flavors: Ensure that the flavors are well-balanced and harmonious. Incorporate the umami-rich soy sauce and the subtle heat of sriracha to add depth to the dish.
Attention to detail: Pay attention to the finer details, such as the placement of sesame seeds and cilantro leaves, to demonstrate precision and care in the presentation.
Create a focal point: Arrange the sliced chicken as a focal point on the plate, drawing attention to the star ingredient of the dish.
Artful drizzling: When adding the dressing, drizzle it artfully over the salad, ensuring that it enhances the overall presentation without overwhelming the other elements.
Garnish with finesse: Use the remaining toasted almonds and white sesame seeds as a final garnish, adding a touch of elegance to the dish.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making Chinese Chicken Salad
Food processor: A food processor is a versatile kitchen tool that can be used for chopping, slicing, shredding, and pureeing ingredients. It's great for making sauces, dressings, and marinades.
Mixing bowl: A mixing bowl is essential for combining ingredients, marinating meats, and tossing salads. It comes in various sizes and materials, such as stainless steel, glass, or ceramic.
Storing and Freezing Homemade Chinese Chicken Salad
- To store leftover light chinese chicken salad, place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. However, keep in mind that the wonton strips and almonds may lose their crunchiness over time.
- If you want to prepare the salad ahead of time, store the dressing separately from the salad ingredients. Combine them just before serving to maintain the freshness and crunchiness of the vegetables and toppings.
- For best results, store the chicken, cabbage, carrots, scallions, and cilantro in one container, while keeping the wonton strips, almonds, and sesame seeds in separate airtight containers at room temperature.
- It is not recommended to freeze this salad, as the texture of the vegetables and toppings will deteriorate upon thawing, resulting in a soggy and unappetizing dish.
- If you have leftover grilled chicken, you can store it separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw the frozen chicken in the refrigerator overnight before using it in the salad.
How To Reheat Chinese Chicken Salad Leftovers
Reheat the leftover light chinese chicken salad in a microwave-safe bowl for 30-60 seconds, or until it reaches your desired temperature. Be careful not to overheat the salad, as it may cause the vegetables to become soggy and the chicken to dry out.
For a fresher taste, separate the chicken, wontons, and almonds from the vegetables before reheating. Microwave the chicken for 30-45 seconds, or until warm. Then, reassemble the salad with the crisp vegetables, wontons, and almonds.
If you prefer a cold salad, simply remove the leftover light chinese chicken salad from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. This will help the flavors to meld and the salad to reach a more pleasant temperature.
To maintain the crunchiness of the wontons and almonds, store them separately in an airtight container at room temperature. Add them to the salad just before serving to prevent them from becoming soggy.
If the leftover salad seems a bit dry, drizzle a small amount of the reserved dressing over the top and toss gently to refresh the flavors and moistness of the dish.
Interesting Trivia About Chinese Chicken Salad
Chinese chicken salad is a popular dish in the United States, but it actually has little to do with traditional Chinese cuisine. The salad was invented in the 1960s by chef Cecilia Chiang at her San Francisco restaurant, Mandarin. She created the dish as a lighter alternative to the heavy, deep-fried Chinese dishes that were popular at the time. The salad quickly gained popularity and has since become a staple in many American restaurants.
Is Making Chinese Chicken Salad at Home Cost-Effective?
The light Chinese chicken salad recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The use of affordable ingredients such as chicken breast, cabbage, and carrots makes it a budget-friendly option. The versatility of the ingredients also allows for easy substitution with more budget-friendly options. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $15-$20, making it an economical choice. Overall Verdict: 9/10
Is This Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe Healthy?
This light Chinese chicken salad recipe is a healthier alternative to traditional Chinese chicken salads. The use of lean chicken breast, fresh vegetables like napa cabbage, carrots, and scallions, and a dressing made with soy sauce, ginger, and sesame oil provides a balance of protein, fiber, and healthy fats. The addition of wontons and slivered almonds adds a satisfying crunch without excessive calories.
However, there are a few areas where the recipe could be improved to make it even healthier:
- Reduce the amount of sodium by using low-sodium soy sauce and omitting the added salt in the dressing
- Increase the vegetable content by adding more variety, such as bell peppers, cucumber, or edamame
- Swap the canola oil for a healthier option like avocado oil or olive oil
- Use whole grain wontons or skip them altogether to reduce the refined carbohydrates
To make this salad even more nutritious, consider the following additions:
- Add a source of healthy omega-3 fats, such as sliced avocado or a sprinkle of chia seeds
- Increase the protein content by adding tofu or shrimp
- Boost the fiber by serving the salad over a bed of quinoa or brown rice
- Enhance the flavor and antioxidants by incorporating fresh herbs like Thai basil or mint
Editor's Opinion on This Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe
This light Chinese chicken salad recipe is a delightful blend of flavors and textures. The combination of tender grilled chicken, crisp napa cabbage, and vibrant vegetables is perfectly complemented by the savory soy-ginger dressing. The toasted almonds and sesame seeds add a delightful crunch, while the wonton strips provide a satisfying crispiness. This salad is a refreshing and satisfying dish that is perfect for a light lunch or dinner. The balance of flavors and the beautiful presentation make it a standout dish that is sure to impress.
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