Name: Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 3 Cups broccoli slaw (broccoli, carrots and red cabbage mix); ½ Cup carrots (peeled and shredded); 1 red bell pepper (sliced into strips); 1 cucumber (sliced into strips); 2 Cups chicken (shredded); 1 Cup almonds (sliced); 4 green onions (sliced, for topping); ½ Cup cilantro (fresh chopped, for garnish); ½ Cup soy sauce; 3 Tablespoons brown sugar; 2 Tablespoons lime juice (fresh); 2 Tablespoons rice vinegar; 3 Tablespoons olive oil; 2 Teaspoons sesame oil; 1 red chili pepper (chopped, optional); 1 Teaspoon ginger (ground); 1 Teaspoon garlic (ground); 1 ½ Tablespoons peanut butter (creamy); kosher salt (to taste); black pepper (freshly cracked, to taste)

Description

This vibrant Chinese Chicken Salad combines crunchy broccoli slaw, fresh vegetables, and shredded chicken tossed in a tangy and slightly sweet Asian-inspired dressing featuring soy sauce, lime juice, sesame oil, and peanut butter. This refreshing salad is perfect as a light lunch or an impressive side dish.

Ingredients

Salad

3 Cups broccoli slaw (broccoli, carrots and red cabbage mix)
½ Cup carrots (peeled and shredded)
1 red bell pepper (sliced into strips)
1 cucumber (sliced into strips)
2 Cups chicken (shredded)
1 Cup almonds (sliced)
4 green onions (sliced, for topping)
½ Cup cilantro (fresh chopped, for garnish)

Dressing

½ Cup soy sauce
3 Tablespoons brown sugar
2 Tablespoons lime juice (fresh)
2 Tablespoons rice vinegar
3 Tablespoons olive oil
2 Teaspoons sesame oil
1 red chili pepper (chopped, optional)
1 Teaspoon ginger (ground)
1 Teaspoon garlic (ground)
1 ½ Tablespoons peanut butter (creamy)
kosher salt (to taste)
black pepper (freshly cracked, to taste)

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Instructions

Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the broccoli slaw, shredded carrots, sliced red bell pepper, sliced cucumber, shredded chicken, and sliced almonds. Mix gently to combine and set aside.
Prepare the Dressing: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, brown sugar, lime juice, rice vinegar, olive oil, sesame oil, chopped red chili pepper (if using), ground ginger, ground garlic, and creamy peanut butter until smooth and well blended. Taste and adjust seasoning with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper as needed.
Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture. Add sliced green onions and chopped cilantro as garnish. Toss everything together until the salad is evenly coated with the dressing. Serve immediately for optimal freshness and crunch.

Notes

For added protein, substitute chicken with tofu or shrimp.
If you prefer a spicier kick, increase the amount of red chili pepper or add some chili flakes.
To make ahead, keep the dressing separate and toss just before serving to maintain crunchiness.
Almonds can be toasted for extra flavor.
Use low-sodium soy sauce to reduce salt content.