Chinese Chicken Salad

Chinese Chicken Salad is an all-time favorite classic. This recipe has thin strips of cooked chicken breast, crunchy wonton strips and a sweet and tangy Chinese Chicken Salad dressing.

If you don't already have a recipe for chicken salad Chinese style, this is going to be the one.

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It's flexible enough that you can substitute some of the vegetables. Or maybe use roasted chicken for the chicken breast. Anyway you prepare it, however, this is a sure fire winner, for family, company or even total strangers.

Get ready for recipe requests!

Chinese Chicken Salad

Ingredients

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 bunch green onions, green part only, sliced on the diagonal
4 cups romaine lettuce, cut into bite sized pieces
1 cups carrots, julienned
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
16 wonton sheets (3 1/2 inch square) shredded
3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon hot chili garlic paste
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 teaspoon sesame oil

Directions

Cook the chicken breasts, either by grilling or broiling. When they are cool enough to handle, cut each breast into thin strips. Set aside in the refrigerator until needed.

Make the wontons - preheat the oven to 350F. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and spread out the shredded wontons in a single layer. Bake until they are golden, about 20 minutes. Keep an eye on these, as they can burn easily.

Make the Chinese chicken salad dressing - Whisk together the hoisin sauce and creamy peanut butter with the brown sugar, hot chili garlic paste, fresh grated ginger, rice wine vinegar and the sesame oil.

Set aside in a covered container until ready to use.

Assemble the salad - Combine the shredded carrots, sliced green onions and romaine with the chicken strips. Add the salad dressing and mix all the ingredients thoroughly.

Sprinkle the top with the toasted wontons.

Serves 4 to 6

Did You Know? - Hoisin sauce is an Asian condiment made from soybeans, garlic, chilies and other spices. It's available in many markets in the international foods aisle, or try an Asian market if not readily available.

Food For Thought - The wontons can also be quickly fried in hot vegetable oil if you prefer. Make sure they are well drained on several thicknesses of paper towels.

Use the Salad Dressing on other Asian recipes as well.