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Asian Chopped Salad Recipe

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4.1 from 29 reviews

This vibrant Asian Chopped Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner. Featuring a crunchy mix of romaine, red cabbage, edamame, bell pepper, carrots, and fresh herbs, it is tossed in a tangy, sweet, and spicy sesame dressing. Enhanced with shredded chicken, mandarin oranges, and toasted almonds, this salad offers a delightful balance of textures and tastes in just 20 minutes for 10 servings.

Ingredients

Dressing Ingredients

  • ¼ cup seasoned rice wine vinegar
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
  • 1 teaspoon Sriracha
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons pure honey
  • 3 teaspoons granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons Asian toasted sesame oil (caramel brown in color)
  • ⅓ cup canola or olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Salad Ingredients

  • ½ head Romaine lettuce, chopped
  • 1 cup red cabbage, chopped
  • 1 cup pre-shelled edamame
  • 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 cup matchstick carrots
  • ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • ¼ cup scallions, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded (or freshly cooked chicken breasts)
  • 1 can mandarin oranges (15 oz), drained
  • ½ cup chopped almonds, toasted

Instructions

  1. Whisk Dressing: In a bowl, thoroughly whisk together the seasoned rice wine vinegar, minced garlic, freshly grated ginger, Sriracha, soy sauce, pure honey, granulated sugar, Asian toasted sesame oil, canola or olive oil, kosher salt, fresh ground black pepper, and toasted sesame seeds until the dressing is well combined and smooth. Transfer the dressing to an airtight container and refrigerate it until ready to use to allow the flavors to meld.
  2. Assemble Salad Base: When ready to serve, take a large salad bowl and combine the chopped romaine lettuce, chopped red cabbage, pre-shelled edamame, chopped red bell pepper, matchstick carrots, chopped fresh cilantro, and thinly sliced scallions. Toss these vegetables with enough of the chilled dressing to coat them evenly, ensuring every bite is flavorful.
  3. Add Protein and Fruit: Gently fold in the shredded rotisserie chicken and drained mandarin oranges into the dressed vegetable mix. Add more dressing as desired to maintain a balanced flavor without making the salad soggy.
  4. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle the toasted chopped almonds over the top of the salad for a delightful crunch. Serve the salad immediately to enjoy the fresh textures and vibrant flavors at their best.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and consider adding tofu or chickpeas for protein.
  • To toast almonds and sesame seeds, use a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant and lightly browned.
  • The salad dressing can be prepared a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator to enhance flavor development.
  • Use freshly grated ginger and freshly squeezed garlic for the best flavor.
  • Drain mandarin oranges well to prevent excess moisture making the salad soggy.

Find it online: https://recipethrive.com/asian-chopped-salad-recipe/