Asian-Inspired Chicken Salad
Few salad recipes are as satisfying as a well-made Asian-Inspired Chicken Salad. The star here is broccoli flowerets, supported by a short list of everyday ingredients. A hot pan and a little patience give you the kind of colour and texture that makes this dish. Scroll down for the ingredients, the step-by-step method, and answers to the questions we get asked most about it.
- Cook 15 min
- Total 15 min
- Serves 4
- Level Medium
Ingredients
- 10 ½ cup Broccoli flowerets
- ½ cup Pea pods
- 6 cup Torn mixed greens
- 2 cup Thinly-sliced Nappa cabbage
- ½ cup Julienned carrots
- 1 package (6 oz) grilled chicken breast, cut in strips
- ¾ cup Salad dressing, teriyaki ginger, Asian sesame with ginger, or balsamic vinaigrette
- 1 Mango, peeled, seeded, and thinly sliced (optional)
- Sesame crackers, optional
Method
- In large saucepan quickly plunge broccoli and pea pods into boiling water for 30 seconds. Drain vegetables. Quickly rinse with cold water. Drain well.
- In large bowl toss together the blanched broccoli and pea pods, greens, cabbage and carrots.
- Add chicken.
- Drizzle with salad dressing. Toss to coat.
- Arrange on 4 serving plates.
- Top with mango, if desired.
- Serve with crackers.
Tips for the best Asian-Inspired Chicken Salad
- Taste as you go. Seasoning at the end is fine, but adjusting halfway through gives a more balanced result.
- Let the chicken come up to room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking so it cooks evenly.
- Do not crowd the pan. Cook in batches if needed so everything browns instead of steaming.
Variations
- Fusion twist: keep the method but swap the spices for your own favourites — the Asian base takes well to it.
- Swap the chicken for turkey or firm tofu or chickpeas — keep the cooking time similar and check for doneness.
- Vegetable boost: stir in a handful of spinach, peas or diced peppers in the last few minutes of cooking.
Serving ideas
Pair with plain rice or noodles and a crisp cucumber salad.
Storage
Best eaten fresh. Leftovers keep covered in the fridge for 2 days; reheat in a hot pan or oven rather than the microwave to bring the crispness back.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Asian-Inspired Chicken Salad take to make?
About 15 minutes in total — roughly under an hour of preparation and 15 minutes of cooking.
Can I make Asian-Inspired Chicken Salad ahead of time?
You can prep all the ingredients a day ahead and keep them covered in the fridge, then cook just before serving for the best texture.
What can I substitute for broccoli flowerets?
Any ingredient with a similar texture and cooking time works; see the variations below for ideas. Keep quantities the same and adjust seasoning at the end.
How many people does this Asian-Inspired Chicken Salad recipe serve?
As written it serves 4. The quantities scale up or down in a straight line, so double everything for 4×2.
Is this Asian-Inspired Chicken Salad recipe medium to make?
It is rated medium: 9 ingredients and 7 steps. Follow the order and the tips above and it is very forgiving.
Adapted from Wikibooks Cookbook, CC BY-SA 4.0 — source
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