Shredded Asian Chicken Salad
When my daughter came home for her bday weekend, I had this salad ready for her arrival with her cousin and roommate. I knew it would be well received by her as she likes Chinese/Asian influenced foods and was perfect for me as I could make it ahead. It’s an easy, portable salad great for picnicking as it contains no mayo (which also pleases those mayo haters, and you know who you are).
The chicken breasts were poached for this recipe. I normally do not like to poach my chicken as I feel the flavor just simmers away, but leaving the chicken in the liquid to cool, it soaks in the flavor and stay so very moist. A gentle shredding of the chicken, a quick chopping of veggies and simple whisked vinaigrette blends all the flavors together.
I overheard my daughter’s roommate commenting that Gina should make this and my daughter’s reply was that it’s about not having all the ingredients on hand. So, my dear little Gina, see below, the ingredients are not all that uncommon to keep in your pantry and when I visit you next, I will, as always, fill your frig and pantry.
Shredded Asian Chicken Salad
For the salad:
4 boneless chicken breasts
Small cabbage, thinly shredded, about 2 cups
1 small red pepper, thinly sliced
2 carrots, peeled and cut into thin matchsticks
2 green onions, diagonally sliced, green tops included
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted for garnish
For the vinaigrette:
2- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
¼ cup rice wine vinegar (unseasoned)
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tablespoon peanut butter or almond butter
Pinch of sugar
Pinch of Chinese hot mustard
2 tablespoons Sesame oil
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil, or slightly less
In a medium skillet, place in chicken breasts covering with water. Bring to boil, reduce to simmer and gentle simmer until no longer pink, about 10-13 minutes. Remove pan from heat and allow chicken to cool in its liquid. Can be made ahead and refrigerated.
Drain the chicken and shred using two forks into thin strips. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chicken and remaining salad ingredients. Pour over vinaigrette and mix well. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until serving time.
For the vinaigrette: In a bowl, mix together all the ingredients up to the oils. Slowly whisk in the oils until combined well. Taste and adjust seasonings.
spicegirlfla
I love being in the kitchen. Early mornings, soft music, a hot espresso. Easing into the preparation of delicious meals. Glancing through cookbooks, gathering inspiration and planning my day. I look forward to the cycles of the seasons, the pleasures of tasting and savoring and sharing this with those dear to me. Weekends are special to me as my week days are often rushed, but still I create the ambiance, light the candles, set the table and uncork the wine.
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27 Comments
Rivki Locker (Ordinary Blogger)
This does look like a wonderful picnic dish. So pretty and colorful!
Maris (In Good Taste)
What a delicious dish! You have a lucky daughter!
Kelly
What a nice mom! I would be delighted to return home to such a wholesome and delicious meal. Poached chicken is amazingly flavourful, isn’t it? I love the idea of almond butter in the dressing!
sallybr
Mayo hater here, raising my hand frantically… 😉
loved everything about this salad, I was expecting some yoghurt to replace the dreadful mayo, but I like even better with the almond butter and the soy vinaigrette. perfect Summer dish!
you do have a lucky daughter!
on a side note, I’ve poached chicken breasts in green tea the other day, turned out wonderful, I bet it would work well with this salad
spicegirlfla
What a great idea to poach in green tea! Especially for an Asian style dish. I’m going to try that out next time!
Ayesha
Awesome. I will be making this Sunday to havv for lunches during the week. I think my boy will love this too. I can’t wait to try. I love you and miss you!
Barefeet In The Kitchen
What a perfect summer salad! I love all the flavors here.
JamieAnne
Beautiful. Looks fabulous.
ChefMom
You are such a good mom. It’s funny, I used to wonder how my mom always had every possible ingredient in the house and cabinets. She always had the ingredients to make nearly anything and it just amazed me. It’s taken me 13 years of living out of her house to finally feel like my cabinets are nearing that stage. 🙂 Great salad Linda!
Maureen
This is a great salad. I make it often and it keeps for days undressed. Yummy!
yummychunklet
What a great idea to let the poached chicken soak to absorb the flavors! And, what a nice mom you are to restock the fridge and pantry!
Charles
Delicious – I should really eat more salads in the summer, especially when they look as good as this! I love the green tops of salad onions – can you believe there are people who throw them away thinking they’re not edible?! 😮
ambrosiana
What a fresh, great looking chicken salad!!! Love the cilantro and sesame seed addition!! The poached chicken is also an excellent idea!!! Brava!!
chicaandaluza
Lovely – what a happy and lucky daughter you´ve got! And it´s true, they are the sort of ingredients you would have in the store cupboard. Very, very lovely.
kitchenbelleicious
Simply Delish! It is light but filling and looks like it has the ultimate combo of flavors going on! I for one and making this pronto!
Rufus' Food and Spirits Guide
That looks amazing. I love how you took a pretty boring dish and made it sing!
Anna and Liz Recipes
Oh my family loves anything Asian and I will have to make this before the summer ends! Thanks for the recipe! Looks so easy too!
Lisa (Smart Food and Fit)
I swear you and I have similar tastes in recipes. I have been cycling my fats for my figure competiton diet (not doing to well on!) Anyhow on my days that I can eat more healthy fats, I make a dressing similar to this for my chicken and steamed broccoli! I can’t wait to try it as a salad. yummy!
Aimee@clevermuffin
I love this! And you’re right, these are so often ingredients we have on hand but don’t think to use in this way!
Caroline
You’re such a sweet mom, Linda! I’m sure your daughter loved this salad. I completely agree with what Kristy said above, about our moms having every ingredient known to man in the fridge/pantry. Honestly, I still don’t understand it. I’ll find a recipe with an ingredient I’m almost positive my mom won’t have, but low and behold, she pulls it out with a proud smile on her face. Someday I’ll get to that point!
thefooddoctor
I love that vingrette.I have to try this real soon
Karen
I love Pad Thai and this reminds me of it. All the wonderful flavor but much healthier without the noodles. Can’t wait to try this salad.
Nuts about Food
I love Asian style chicken salad and I’m always on a lookout for new ways to make it. Yum
sportsglutton
Sounds and look delicious. Great photo!
Gina!
Thank you for supplying my fridge with all these yummy ingredients, so now I can make this for Allison!!!! LOVE YOUUUU; SO PROUD OF YOU :}
ChgoJohn
That is one beautiful dish! I can almost hear the Oohs & Aahs.
Kay aka Babygirl
Of course I’ve been snooping around your blog again :). And found this wonderful recipe. I love a great chicken salad.. thanks for posting this