3.28.2014

ginger sesame chicken salad

I am always on the hunt for new salad recipes that are flavorful and full of healthy ingredients. This ginger sesame chicken salad is just that -- packed with fresh vegetables and the most tender and delicious chicken, this salad is sure to become a new favorite at your dinner table!


INGREDIENTS

Marinade & Dressing
1/4 cup soy sauce // We use Liquid Aminos
3 TBSP fresh ginger 
1/4 cup canola oil
2 TBSP hoisin sauce
1 TBSP sesame oil
1 tsp sriracha sauce
1 tsp kosher salt // I left this out because I didn't want it to be too salty
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup finely chopped green onions
Boneless, Skinless Chicken breasts (1 breast per person)

Salad
1 lb Napa Cabbage, sliced thinly // I just used a 2-lb head and had leftovers
2-3 carrots, grated // Approximately 1 cup grated carrots
3 green onions, thinly sliced
2/3 cup freshly chopped cilantro
1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
1 tsp white sesame seeds, toasted
1 tsp black sesame seeds, toasted // I used closer to 1 TBSP of each because I LOVE sesame seeds

Garnish (Optional)
Toasted Black + White Sesame Seeds
Toasted Slivered Almonds

DIRECTIONS

To Make Marinade: 
Whisk together soy sauce, ginger, canola oil, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, sriracha (and salt) to make marinade. Marinade chicken in 4-5 TBSP a minimum of 30 minutes. 
I marinated ours overnight. 
Reserve the rest. 

To Make Dressing:
To the reserved marinade, add in the 1/4 cup of red wine vinegar and 1/4 chopped green onions. 
I also added 2-3 TBSP of water to make the flavor more mild. 
I don't like huge red wine vinegar flavor. 

To Prepare Salad:
Cook the marinated chicken breasts in a dutch oven in sesame oil or on a hot grill.


In a large bowl, add the sliced napa cabbage, grated carrots, green onions, cilantro, toasted sesame seeds and toasted almonds. Add the cooked sliced chicken. Coat the salad LIGHTLY with the dressing and toss together. Garnish with extra toasted sesame seeds and almonds. 

Other Thoughts:
>> This recipe requires a little bit of planning and preparation but is totally worth it!
>> Be sure to taste the dressing before coating salad; I like very little dressing and a little bit goes a long way! 
>> The chicken is so tasty on its own due to the marinade that I will definitely be using the marinade recipe by itself in the future (and I think marinating it overnight added SO much flavor!)
>> You could easily sub napa cabbage for traditional cabbage if you want more of a crunch; napa is very light and rather soft
>> Very filling but super light! I made it with girlfriends last night but can't wait to make it again for my husband! 

Enjoy! And Happy Weekend!

No comments:

Post a Comment


Back to Top