Chinese Chicken Salad with Sesame Dressing:- When compared to the heavier varieties of Chinese Chicken Salad that I constantly see at those popular food chains that everyone loves, this salad takes a gentler approach. It is topped with chicken breast that is filled with protein, pasta noodles, and a flavorful sesame dressing. It is prepared with crunchy romaine lettuce, wontons, and an almond crunch.
Chinese Chicken Salad with Sesame Dressing
Healthier Chinese Chicken Salad
A lighter cuisine that completely satisfies my cravings is exactly what I need right now. And when the flowy skirts and shift dresses that were popular throughout the summer transition into the jeans and thigh-hugging pants that are popular during the fall, it appears that lighter food is becoming a part of my weekly song.
And that’s where my all-time favorite—and healthier—Chinese chicken salad comes in.
There is no doubt that I have a craving for this Chinese salad, and as of late, it has been on my lunch train menu. Having prepared chicken breasts that have been cooked and spaghetti noodles (if I so desire) in the refrigerator, as well as a large quantity of romaine lettuce that has been cut, all that is required of me is to place everything in a bowl and I will be ready to eat.
Both of my favourite quick lunches in Los Angeles served as inspiration for this salad: The restaurant Feast from the East uses it to garnish crunchy romaine lettuce that is topped with their wonton strips that are gently fried and incredibly addicting. However, I added rotini pasta noodles to the salad, similar to the Chinese chicken salad that is served at California Chicken Cafe. Due to the fact that I no longer reside in the same states as the restaurants where I used to pick them up for lunch, I have devised a delectable tribute to two of my favourite Chinese chicken salad eateries, and man, they are absolutely perfect.
What’s in Chinese Chicken Salad?
I know this may not sound like 100% healthy-for-you food (fried wontons?), but moderation is my favorite friend.
So, as long as you watch your portion size, the amount of dressing you use, and the number of crunchy wontons and pasta you top it with, you’ll still be in the zone and your cravings will be 100% satisfied yet still healthified.
Because the ingredients have true staying power, this Chinese salad is so easy to meal prep for the week and have everything ready to go. Here’s what you’ll need to make the Chinese chicken salad itself:
- romaine lettuce
- chicken breast
- green onions
- rotini pasta (use whole wheat or gluten-free if you prefer)
- sliced almonds
- fried wontons (you can leave these off, but they’re so good that moderation is my favorite ingredient too 🙂
What’s in the Sesame Dressing?
The sesame dressing is the key to the flavor for this salad. It’s incredibly easy to make and takes just a few minutes to shake into shape.
Simply add the following ingredients to a small jar with a lid and shake. Or, of course you can whisk away if you’d like.
- grapeseed oil — it has a milder flavor than olive oil. You can use canola oil if you’d like too
- seasoned rice vinegar — get the seasoned version, not the unseasoned
- sesame oil
- sugar
- light soy sauce
- sesame seeds
- fresh ground pepper and kosher salt
See Also: Cauliflower Mac and Cheese Recipe
Tips for Making Chinese Chicken Salad
I am a fan of meal preparation, which involves preparing a few chicken breasts for the week so that I can have them on hand for fast meals and quick lunches. This dish is exactly one of the reasons why I enjoy doing this.
It is always possible to save a few extra minutes in the kitchen by using a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. When I made these salads, I only used one chicken breast, and I saved the other breast for the leftovers that I had for lunch.
The spiralled rotini pasta that is placed on top of the crunchy romaine lettuce and the green onion that is feisty are perhaps the two components of this salad that I enjoy the most. Although it is possible for you to forgo the rotini pasta, I do not.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 6 3-inch wonton skins , sliced into ¼″ strips
- 2 tablespoons canola or corn oil , for frying
- 4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cooked chicken breast , shredded
- 2 green onions , chopped
- ¼ cup sliced almonds , toasted lightly
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 2 cups cooked fusilli pasta noodles , cooled
For the Dressing:
1 ½ tablespoons grapeseed oil (or canola oil)
6 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil (add more to taste if you prefer a strong sesame taste)
1 ½ teaspoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons light soy sauce
2 tablespoon sesame seeds
½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
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Heat canola or corn oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. When oil starts to shimmer, fry the wonton skins in batches of 5-7 strips for 30 seconds each side or until lightly browned, working quickly so they don’t burn. Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels until cooled.
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In a large bowl, combine lettuce, chicken breast, green onion, almonds, and pasta.
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Add the dressing ingredients to a jar with a tight fitting lid and shake until until well mixed or whisk in a small bowl until the sugar dissolves.
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Dress the lettuce mixture with 2-3 tablespoons of sesame dressing and top with more sesame seeds, wonton strips, and serve.
Nutrition