Chinese Chicken Salad with Creamy Sesame Dressing—For Mother’s Day

Seems like I’m working backwards on our Mother’s Day menu here.    Yes, I’ve got the desserts covered.  If you missed that post, the dessert recipe is right here and don’t forget to check out the Homemade gift idea by clicking here.  Now, we’re moving onto the entrée, Chinese Chicken Salad with Creamy Sesame Dressing.



For all those health conscious Mommy’s out there, this is one perfect entrée to celebrate Mother’s Day.  Hey, I guess we all can use a little help to get ourselves, and figures, ready for the swim suit season, right?   If you don’t care about all that, this is still a flavorful and refreshing salad to enjoy in Spring and Summer.



In this recipe, I roasted my own chicken breasts and fried my own won ton strips.  However, you can totally take a short cut by using your favorite rotisserie chicken and ready to serve crispy noodles, such as these.  You can literally put this salad together within 15 to 20 minutes if you take the short cuts.  Mine actually took less than 45 minutes as I did all the prep works (and clean up) while the chicken is roasting in the oven.



Here’s a break down on the ingredients (see picture below). I love the different color, flavor and texture combinations in this recipe.  Crunchy won ton strips, crispy snow peas and lettuce, along with juicy and refreshing mandarin orange, and tender chicken.  The red cabbage and carrot add a bite to the over all texture.  The Creamy Sesame Dressing is divine!  I made extras dressing and store it in the fridge and have it ready in the next 2 days to enjoy.



With a simple and healthy recipe like this, you can relax and have a wonderful Mother’s Day dining in.  I love a healthy and no stress recipe any time over waiting in line at a packed restaurant especially on popular dining out holiday such as Mother’s Day.  Yup, in another word, I’m getting old!  hahaha….



So, what’s your plan for Mother’s Day?  If you’re dining in like me, have you planned out your menu yet?  If not, hope you’ll give this recipe a try.  Thank you for reading and stopping by today.  Until next time, take care.









Chinese Chicken Salad with Creamy Sesame Dressing:(Printable Recipe)
Serving: 6

Ingredients For the Creamy Sesame Dressing:
5 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
1/4 cup Japanese Mayo
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 teaspoons sesame oil
2 tablespoons honey
1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper

Ingredients For the Chinese Chicken Salad:
2 Romaine lettuce, cut into bite size pieces
1/4 red cabbage, shredded
3 green onions, chopped
2 cooked chicken breasts, shredded by hand*
1 (15oz) can mandarin orange, drained
6 wonton skin, cut into thin strips (or use these ready to eat crispy noodles)
1 (6oz) package of snow peas
1 carrot, cut into thin strips

To prepare the dressing:
Place all ingredients in a small food processor and blend until creamy and well combined. Refrigerate until ready to use.

To prepare the Salad:
In a medium sauté pan, heat about 1-inch of vegetable oil to 375 degree F.  Fry won ton strips until golden brown and crispy (about 15 to 30 seconds).  Drain excess oil on a paper towel.  If you prefer not to fry your own won ton crisps, you can replace with store bought crispy noodles, such as these.

*You can use your favorite rotisserie chicken for this recipe.  Or, simply roast your own.  To roast your own, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Use 2 bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts.  Place the chicken on a sheet pan, skin side up.  Drizzle a little bit of olive oil on each chicken breast and sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Roast for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (with 165 degree F internal temperature).  Set aside to cool.  When the chicken has cooled down, remove and discard the skin and bones, shred into bite size pieces by hands. 

In a large salad bowl, toss all ingredients (except won ton strips) with enough salad dressing to moisten.  Top with won ton strips and serve immediately.  Enjoy.  Serve with extra/remaining salad dressing on the side.