Easy Yummy Chinese Chicken Salad

Easy Yummy Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe - Authentic Flavors!

Region / culture: China | Preparation time: 15 minutes | Cooking time: 10 minutes | Servings: 6

Introduction

Chinese Chicken Salad is a delicious and refreshing dish that combines crunchy vegetables, tender chicken, and a flavorful dressing. This easy recipe is perfect for a light lunch or dinner, and can be customized to suit your taste preferences.

History

Chinese Chicken Salad is believed to have originated in the United States in the 1960s. It was inspired by traditional Chinese cuisine, but adapted to suit American tastes. The combination of crispy vegetables, protein-rich chicken, and a tangy dressing quickly became popular in restaurants and homes across the country.

Ingredients

0.75 cup vegetable oil
5 tbsp seasoned rice vinegar
3 tsp soy sauce
3 packages chicken-flavored ramen noodles
1 large head cabbage, shredded
1 head iceberg lettuce, rinsed, dried, and shredded
1 bunch green onions, chopped
12 oz (340 g) canned chicken, drained
1 cup toasted and sliced almonds
3 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

How to prepare

In a pan filled with boiling oil, add rice vinegar, soy sauce, and ramen noodles (or rice noodles).
Before tossing, add the dressing to the cabbage, lettuce, noodles (including seasonings or cooked rice noodles), chicken, green onions, and almonds.

Variations

Add mandarin oranges or pineapple chunks for a sweet and tangy twist.
Use a different type of nut, such as cashews or peanuts, for added crunch.
Experiment with different dressings, such as a sesame ginger or peanut dressing.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

To save time, use pre-cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken for this recipe.

- Toasting the almonds before adding them to the salad will enhance their flavor and crunch.

- For a vegetarian version, substitute the chicken with tofu or edamame.

- Feel free to add other vegetables such as bell peppers, carrots, or snap peas for extra color and nutrients.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this Chinese Chicken Salad as a light meal on its own, or as a side dish with grilled chicken or shrimp.

Cooking Techniques

The key cooking techniques for this recipe include boiling the noodles, shredding the vegetables, and toasting the almonds.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you don't have seasoned rice vinegar, you can use regular rice vinegar mixed with a bit of sugar and salt. You can also use any type of noodles or greens that you prefer.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the dressing and chop the vegetables ahead of time, but it's best to toss the salad just before serving to keep it fresh and crisp.

Presentation Ideas

Garnish the salad with extra cilantro leaves or sesame seeds for a beautiful presentation.

Pairing Recommendations

This Chinese Chicken Salad pairs well with a light and crisp white wine, such as a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To maintain the crunchiness of the vegetables, do not dress the salad until ready to serve.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

One serving of Chinese Chicken Salad contains approximately 350 calories.

Carbohydrates

This Chinese Chicken Salad recipe contains approximately 30 grams of carbohydrates per serving.

Fats

Each serving of this salad provides about 20 grams of fat, primarily from the vegetable oil and almonds.

Proteins

With canned chicken as the main protein source, this salad offers around 15 grams of protein per serving.

Vitamins and minerals

This salad is rich in vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamin C from the cabbage and lettuce, and vitamin E from the almonds.

Alergens

This recipe contains nuts (almonds) and soy sauce, which may be allergens for some individuals.

Summary

Overall, this Chinese Chicken Salad is a balanced dish that provides a good mix of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals.

Summary

Chinese Chicken Salad is a flavorful and satisfying dish that is easy to make at home. With a mix of crunchy vegetables, tender chicken, and a zesty dressing, this salad is sure to become a favorite in your recipe collection. Enjoy!

How did I get this recipe?

The first time I saw this recipe, I was captivated by its flavors. It was a warm summer evening, and I was strolling through the bustling streets of Chinatown. The air was filled with the enticing aromas of spices and sizzling meats, and my stomach grumbled in anticipation of a delicious meal.

As I passed by a small hole-in-the-wall restaurant, I caught a glimpse of a young chef expertly tossing together a colorful array of ingredients. The vibrant hues of the bell peppers, the crispness of the lettuce, and the succulent chunks of chicken all came together in a glorious symphony of flavors. I knew right then and there that I had to learn how to make this dish.

I mustered up the courage to walk into the restaurant and ask the chef for the recipe. He smiled warmly and graciously agreed to share his secrets with me. As we chatted, he told me about his years of training in China, his love for cooking, and his passion for creating dishes that brought joy to people's hearts.

He showed me how to marinate the chicken in a delicate blend of soy sauce, ginger, and garlic, and how to stir-fry it until it was perfectly golden and tender. He taught me how to julienne the vegetables, how to mix the dressing just right, and how to assemble the salad in a way that was both visually stunning and utterly delicious.

I watched in awe as he worked his magic, his hands moving with a grace and precision that only comes from years of practice and dedication. And when he finally plated the dish and handed me a forkful to taste, I knew that I had stumbled upon something truly special.

From that day on, I made it my mission to perfect the recipe for Easy Yummy Chinese Chicken Salad. I spent countless hours in my own kitchen, experimenting with different ratios of ingredients, adjusting cooking times, and fine-tuning the flavors until they were just right.

I drew inspiration from my grandmother, who had taught me the importance of using fresh, high-quality ingredients and cooking with love and care. She had instilled in me a deep appreciation for the culinary arts, and I was determined to honor her legacy by mastering this recipe.

Over the years, I made the salad for family gatherings, dinner parties, and potlucks. Each time, it was met with rave reviews and requests for the recipe. I always smiled and told them that it was a family secret, passed down through generations, but deep down, I knew that it was the young chef in Chinatown who had given me the gift of this delicious dish.

As time went on, I began to experiment with variations of the salad, adding in new ingredients like mandarin oranges, toasted almonds, and crispy wonton strips. Each iteration brought its own unique twist to the classic recipe, and I found joy in sharing my creations with friends and loved ones.

Now, as I sit here in my cozy kitchen, surrounded by the comforting scents of ginger and garlic, I can't help but feel grateful for the journey that led me to this moment. The recipe for Easy Yummy Chinese Chicken Salad has become a staple in my culinary repertoire, a symbol of the love and passion that I put into every dish I create.

And as I prepare to serve it to my family tonight, I know that my grandmother is looking down on me with pride, knowing that her legacy lives on in the flavors and aromas of this simple, yet exquisite salad. It may have started with a chance encounter in Chinatown, but it has blossomed into a cherished tradition that will be passed down for generations to come.