Chinese Chicken Salad with Asian Peanut Dressing
- Preparing Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Served Person: 2
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 2 tsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 cup red cabbage shredded
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 2 1/2 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 tbsp canola oil (or vegetable grapeseed or peanut oil)
- 2 tsp+ sriracha
- 1 tbsp + 2 tsp rice wine vinegar
- 1 - 1 1/2 tbsp water (or lime juice)
- 1/2 tsp ginger freshly grated
- 1 1/2 cups chinese cabbage / napa cabbage shredded
- 1 1/2 cups carrots julienned (i used just veg pre shredded ca
- 1 1/2 cups bean sprouts
- 1 shallot / green onion / scallion finely sliced on the diagonal
- 1/4 cup peanuts roughly chopped
- 1/4 + cups crunchy fried noodles (i use changs)
- Carbohydrate 17.2813156272944 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Fat 11.8695835948389 g
- Fiber 3.28293746750951 g
- Protein 5.999841406799 g
- Saturated Fat 1.86337546897712 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (242g)
- Sodium 49.9511718850097 mg
- Sugar 13.9983781597849 g
- Trans Fat 0.592567109407478 g
- Calories 183 calories
My Go-To Weeknight Meal: Chinese Chicken Salad
As a busy working mom, finding time to cook healthy and delicious meals can be a real challenge. Between juggling work deadlines, school pick-ups, and after-school activities, the last thing I want is to spend hours in the kitchen. That's why I've become a huge fan of quick, easy, and flavorful recipes – and this Chinese Chicken Salad with Asian Peanut Dressing is a perfect example.
This salad isn't just fast; it's incredibly versatile. I often adapt it based on what I have on hand. Sometimes I swap the chicken for leftover grilled shrimp or tofu for a vegetarian option. The beauty of this recipe is its flexibility. You can easily adjust the ingredients to suit your preferences and dietary needs. One day I might add extra shredded carrots for extra sweetness and crunch, while another day I’ll opt for a different type of noodle to change up the texture. It’s truly become my weeknight staple.
The Asian Peanut Dressing is the star of the show. It's creamy, tangy, and just the right amount of spicy thanks to the sriracha. The combination of peanut butter, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, and sesame oil creates a harmonious blend of flavors that perfectly complements the crisp vegetables and tender chicken. I usually make a double batch of the dressing and keep it in the fridge for the whole week – it's so good, I find myself drizzling it over everything from rice noodles to roasted vegetables.
The preparation is a breeze. While the chicken is cooking (I usually use leftover rotisserie chicken to save even more time!), I prep the vegetables. Shredding the cabbage and carrots is therapeutic and goes faster than you think, especially if you have a good mandoline slicer or food processor. The whole process takes less than 20 minutes, making it ideal for a busy weeknight. My kids love helping me with the simpler tasks, like chopping the peanuts or tossing the salad, making it a fun family activity.
What I truly appreciate about this salad is its nutritional value. It’s packed with fresh vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats. It's a satisfying meal that keeps me energized throughout the day without weighing me down. This is particularly important on those days when I’m running from one meeting to the next, or trying to keep up with my children's busy schedules. I don't have to worry about feeling sluggish or bloated after eating this. It’s light, refreshing, and leaves me feeling full and satisfied.
Moreover, it’s a great way to use up leftover cooked chicken. I often roast a whole chicken on the weekend and use the leftover meat in various meals throughout the week. This salad is the perfect way to prevent food waste and create delicious, economical meals. This approach saves money and reduces my environmental footprint, which aligns with my values as an environmentally-conscious consumer.
This Chinese Chicken Salad has become more than just a meal; it's a testament to my commitment to creating healthy, delicious, and manageable dinners for my family. It's a recipe that allows me to spend quality time with my loved ones, without sacrificing my health or my sanity. So, if you're looking for a quick, easy, and undeniably delicious meal that's perfect for busy weeknights, I highly recommend you give this salad a try. You won't regret it!
The vibrant colors, the refreshing flavors, and the satisfying crunch of this salad always bring a smile to my face. It's a reminder that even amidst the chaos of daily life, there's always time to nourish myself and my family with something delicious and wholesome. This salad is more than just a meal; it’s a reminder that self-care isn't selfish; it’s essential. And it all starts with a delicious, healthy, and convenient dinner that makes everyone happy.
Step-by-step
- Mix Dressing in a jug or small bowl. Use water to adjust consistency (it should be pretty thick and gloopy), Sriracha for spiciness and saltiness with salt (not more soy sauce).
- Place all Salad ingredients in a bowl, reserving some noodles, peanuts and shallots for topping.
- Drizzled with Dressing and toss.
- Garnish with remaining noodles, peanuts and shallots and serve immediately.
