Description
This Chinese Chicken Salad features a crunchy mix of romaine lettuce, Napa cabbage, shredded rotisserie chicken, and a vibrant peanut sesame dressing. Fresh vegetables and herbs are tossed together with a flavorful dressing that balances tangy, sweet, and savory notes, making it a perfect light yet satisfying dish.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Dressing:
- 1/4 cup light olive oil or vegetable oil
- 3 Tbsp creamy peanut butter
- 2 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
- 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 cooked shredded rotisserie chicken breast
- 1 large red bell pepper, cored, seeded and sliced
- 1 large carrot, juliened
- 4 green onions, sliced
- 1/2 cup rough chopped cilantro
- 1/2 cup rough chopped peanuts or cashews
- 2 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds (optional)
- Fried wonton strips, homemade or store-bought (optional)
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the light olive oil or vegetable oil, creamy peanut butter, toasted sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, fresh lime juice, honey, peeled and minced ginger, minced garlic, Chinese five spice, and red pepper flakes until smooth and well combined.
- Chill the dressing: Transfer the dressing to the refrigerator and chill preferably for 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together. Alternatively, you can freeze it for 15 minutes if short on time.
- Prepare the salad base: In a large serving bowl, combine shredded romaine lettuce, shredded Napa cabbage, shredded rotisserie chicken breast, sliced red bell pepper, juliened carrot, sliced green onions, and rough chopped cilantro. Toss gently to combine.
- Add toppings: Sprinkle the rough chopped peanuts or cashews and toasted sesame seeds over the salad mixture. Add fried wonton strips if using.
- Toss and serve: Drizzle the chilled dressing over the entire salad and toss well to coat everything evenly. Alternatively, add the dressing to individual servings. Serve immediately to enjoy the salad at its freshest.
Notes
- Sesame seeds and wonton strips are optional and not included in the nutrition estimate.
- For a vegan version, substitute chicken with tofu or tempeh and use a vegan soy sauce.
- To save time, use store-bought shredded rotisserie chicken.
- Adjust the red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Chilling the dressing helps deepen the flavor, but if short on time, it can be used immediately after mixing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
