Chinese Chicken Salad
Description:
Keep lettuce ingredients, almonds, chicken, and dressing separate until ready to serve to avoid a wilted mess. This refreshing salad brings together crispy lettuce, tender chicken, crunchy almonds, and a flavorful dressing for a delightful meal.
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Soy sauce | 1/4 cup |
| Olive oil | 1/2 cup |
| Boneless skinless chicken breasts | 1/4 lb (about 6 oz) |
| Sugar | 1 tsp |
| Romaine lettuce | 1 head |
| Iceberg lettuce | 1 head |
| Red leaf lettuce | 1 head |
| Celery | 1 stalk |
| Green onions | 1 bunch |
| Mandarin oranges | 1 can |
| Olive oil | 1/4 cup |
| Sugar | 1 tsp |
| Red wine vinegar | 1/2 cup |
| Salt | To taste |
| Pepper | To taste |
| Almonds | 1/2 cup |
Instructions:
Part 1: Chicken Preparation
- Begin by chopping the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
- Marinate the chicken pieces in a mixture of soy sauce, olive oil, and a teaspoon of sugar for about 1 hour.
- After marinating, drain the excess marinade from the chicken.
- Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius).
- Place the marinated chicken on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and set it aside to cool.
Part 2: Almond Preparation
- While the chicken is baking, prepare the almonds.
- Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add the almonds.
- Sprinkle a teaspoon of sugar over the almonds and cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar has dissolved and the almonds are coated.
- Once the sugar has caramelized and coated the almonds, remove them from the heat.
- Transfer the almonds to a shallow pan lined with waxed paper, spreading them out evenly.
- Place the pan of almonds in the freezer and allow them to freeze until crystallized.
- Once frozen, remove the almonds from the freezer and break them up into small, crunchy pieces.
- Set the candied almonds aside for later use.
Part 3: Lettuce Preparation
- Clean the romaine, iceberg, and red leaf lettuce heads thoroughly under cold running water.
- Chop the lettuce into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large mixing bowl.
- Chop the celery into small pieces and add it to the bowl with the lettuce.
- Slice the green onions and drain the mandarin oranges, then add both to the bowl with the lettuce mixture.
Part 4: Dressing Preparation
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, sugar, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Alternatively, you can combine the dressing ingredients in a jar and shake vigorously until emulsified.
Part 5: Assembly
- Once all the components are prepared, it’s time to assemble the salad.
- Add the cooked and cooled chicken pieces to the bowl with the lettuce mixture.
- Sprinkle the candied almond pieces over the salad.
- Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients.
- Gently toss the salad until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Serve the Chinese chicken salad immediately to enjoy its fresh flavors and crunchy textures.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 635.1
- Fat: 41.3g
- Saturated Fat: 5.3g
- Cholesterol: 75.5mg
- Sodium: 2175.7mg
- Carbohydrates: 34.8g
- Fiber: 7.7g
- Sugar: 24.9g
- Protein: 35.4g
Recipe Notes:
For best results, ensure that the chicken is thoroughly cooked before adding it to the salad. Additionally, feel free to customize the salad with your favorite vegetables or toppings for added flavor and nutrition. Enjoy this vibrant and satisfying Chinese chicken salad as a light lunch or dinner option any day of the week! 🥗🍗
