Despite the name, the modern Chinese chicken salad did not originate in China. Instead, it is considered an American fusion dish—one that has elements of multiple culinary traditions. Rice wine vinegar and sesame oil are both Asian ingredients that give this salad its distinct flavor. During the 1950s and '70s, Asian-style lettuce salads were popularized through California’s Sunset Magazine, which embraced California cuisine—fresh ingredients prepared with multicultural flair.
A version of Chinese chicken salad was a popular 1960s offering at Santa Monica restaurant, Madame Wu’s. It is said that owner Sylvia Chang Wu may have based her version of the salad on something she ate in Shanghai, China, which included shredded chicken, green onion, vermicelli noodles, and toasted almonds. It is indeed a flavorful and unique salad that can serve as a main dish and is well worth the time to make.
Recipe Servings: 3
+ 30 minutes resting
Ingredients
Sesame Vinaigrette:
- ¼ cup and 2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 garlic clove, pressed
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1 tsp soy sauce
Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- ¼ tsp white pepper
Salad:
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup red cabbage, shredded
- ⅓ cup carrot, grated
- ¼ cup shelled edamame
- 1 green onion, thinly sliced
Assembly:
Directions
- Whisk together the rice vinegar, garlic, sesame oil, sugar, ginger, and soy sauce in a small bowl.
- Set dressing aside.
- Combine chicken, soy sauce, sesame oil, and white pepper in a resealable bag or bowl. Let it rest in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Place chicken and marinade in a baking dish and bake 13–15 minutes, until juices run clear.
- Let the chicken cool and then cut it into bite-size pieces.
- Combine the lettuce, cabbage, carrots, edamame, green onion, and chicken in a large bowl.
- Pour dressing on top and gently toss to coat.
- Top salad with chow mein noodles, almonds, and mandarin oranges, if using, and serve.
For Sesame Vinaigrette:
For Chicken:
For Salad:
For Assembly:
Recipe introduction and directions © Copyright 2016-2024 World Trade Press. All rights reserved.