Craving a Chinese Chicken Salad that's anything but ordinary?
Get ready to unlock the secret to an unbelievably flavorful salad, starting with a marinated chicken recipe that will steal the show.
Prepare to discover how to transform simple ingredients into the best Chinese Chicken Salad you've ever tasted!
Ingredients
Okay, so let's gather what we need—the ingredient list is pretty straightforward, I promise! For the chicken marinade, I'm thinking two minced garlic cloves, two teaspoons of brown sugar, and one and a half tablespoons each of honey and hoisin sauce.
Don't forget oyster sauce – we're gonna need two teaspoons. Next up, one and a half tablespoons of light soy sauce, half a teaspoon of Chinese five-spice powder, and a splash—about half a teaspoon—of sesame oil. Red food coloring is optional, but it makes the chicken look more like the real deal! Fresh, crisp vegetables compliment all of these flavors nicely.
For the chicken, you'll want about one and a half pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs. We'll also need one tablespoon of vegetable oil, plus bamboo skewers (soaked!) if you're feeling fancy. A few sliced green onions for garnish? Why not?!
Instructions
Now that we've gathered all our ingredients, let's get cooking! First, I'm gonna have you place your marinade ingredients in a ziplock bag or bowl and mix it up. Then, add the chicken – get it all nice and coated! We're gonna marinate that for like, 3 to 24 hours. The soy sauce in the marinade adds a savory depth to the chicken.
Cut your chicken, if you're feeling fancy. Thread onto skewers – one for small pieces, two for larger ones.
Heat your skillet with half the oil over medium high heat. Or, use a BBQ – that's fun! Remove, but reserve your marinade. Cook in batches, about 4 minutes, then turn.
Baste with that marinade – yum! Cook the basted side for 3 minutes, then turn again, 1 minute. Baste, turn, and cook 45 sec-1 min.
Let's transfer the chicken, cover with foil, and rest for 5 minutes. Dinner is about to get real! Garnish—scallions, perhaps?
Recipe Notes
Let's explore into some recipe notes to make sure your Chinese Chicken Salad turns out amazing! Chinese Five Spice Powder—it's usually easy to find, but don't sweat it if you can't. Hoisin has some five-spice vibes, so you're still good.
I love using chicken thighs 'cause they are juicier! But, breast works too—the marinade makes it caramelize nicely, so it's a win-win.
Now, for oven cooking. For small pieces (around 5 oz), bake at 425F for 18 minutes, flip, and then bake for 4 more minutes. Little bigger? Go for 20 minutes then 5 minutes. Grilling? Medium-high heat—about 6-7 minutes per side, but watch it close, it browns up quick 'cause of the marinade. Don't wanna burn it!
Nutrition Information
I'm always curious about the nutrition in my meals, and this Chinese Chicken recipe doesn't disappoint. Each serving – around 201g – packs approximately 366 calories, which is 18% of your daily needs!
That means you can enjoy it without a ton of guilt! I mean, who wants to spend hours at the gym after a delicious meal?
I think it is a good balance of flavor and mindful eating! Remember to adjust portion sizes to match your personal dietary goals.
If you're watching your calorie intake— portion control is your best friend! I always say, a little bit of heaven is better than a whole lot of "meh," and with smart choices, you can absolutely have your chicken and eat it too! Enjoy!
Short Recipe Version
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Serving Size: 6
Ingredients:
4 cups shredded chicken
1 cup shredded lettuce
1 cup shredded carrots
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/4 cup chopped green onions
Sesame Ginger Dressing:
1/4 cup sesame oil
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon grated ginger
Instructions:
- Cook and shred chicken.
- Combine lettuce, carrots, almonds, sesame seeds, and green onions in a large bowl.
- Add shredded chicken to the bowl.
- Whisk together sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, honey, and ginger for the dressing.
- Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine.
Nutrition Information (per serving, estimated):
Calories: 366
Protein: 30g
Fat: 20g
Carbohydrates: 15g