Tuesday, May 8, 2012

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

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Seems like I’m working backwards on our Mother’s Day menu here.  Smile  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.

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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?  Winking smile If you don’t care about all that, this is still a flavorful and refreshing salad to enjoy in Spring and Summer.

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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.

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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.

Chinese Chicken Salad Ingredients

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.  Winking smile Yup, in another word, I’m getting old!  hahaha….

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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.

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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.



21 comments:

  1. wow... the colours are amazing! very appetising

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    1. Thank you. Yes, I love the vibrant color and refreshing taste of this salad.

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  2. Just like rainbow. Fits the mood perfectly

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    1. :) Yes, my kids and I are always up for colorful ingredients.

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  3. Looks so good - impressed that you do this on your own, the chicken and won ton strips!

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    1. Actually, the chicken and won ton strips were easy to prepare. I even made extra won ton strips to snack on for the day after...they were so good.

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  4. WOW what amazing colourful food! Love it! I get happy by looking at that dinner table:-)

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    1. Thank you. I'm glad you like it. I love the vibrant colors and yes, this salad makes me a happy camper.

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  5. My hubby loves salads and this looks so good and pretty. I will definitely try it. Thanks for ther recipe......Christine

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    1. Thank you and I'm sure you and your hubby will enjoy this salad a lot. :) Wish you a Happy Mother's Day weekend, Christine.

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  6. This salad looks fantastic. I cannot wait to try it. Come visit us. We have a wonderful Brie panini to share.

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    1. Thank you...will be heading to you site right after.

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  7. I love Chinese chicken salad and this one looks fantastic.

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  8. Beautiful salad, Amy! So fresh and healthy.

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    1. Thank you. Glad you like the salad. Wish you a wonderful weekend.

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  9. I love crunchy salad and the fried wonton strips are my target when I have this kind of salad (I make sure I put them aside so that they won't get soggy). Oh how much I'd enjoy this salad!!! This will be a main dish for me and I'd be super happy!

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    1. Yes, I can eat this for dinner every day and be really happy too. :) In fact, I had this salad for 3 times in the past week. Guess it's one of my favorite salad now.

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  10. Hi Amy,
    What a beautiful salad, I would just love this recipe. Your presentation is beautiful with the colors just perfect! Hope you have a Very Special Week End and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come Back Soon!
    Miz Helen

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    1. Thank you, Miz Helen. I'm glad you love this recipe. Thanks for hosting another Full Plate Thursday and wish you a fabulous Mother's Day weekend.

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  11. Ooooo....lovely lovely lovely. Looks like this perfect for the coming Chinese New Year, serving as 'Yu Shang'. haha..... Thanks for the inspiration, dear.
    Kristy

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