When summer heat feels like a relentless hug you didn’t ask for, this Refreshing Chicken Mandarin Salad becomes your unexpected savior. Picture juicy chunks of chicken mingling with vibrant mandarin slices, all draped in a sesame dressing that whispers sweet nothings to your taste buds. It’s like a sunny day in a bowl, a chaotic yet harmonious dance of flavors—trust me, it’s the salad you didn’t know you needed.
Steps
- Prepare the sesame dressing by whisking together light or neutral oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, brown sugar, fresh grated ginger, and sesame seeds in a small bowl or jar. Allow the dressing to sit so the flavors can meld.
- Thinly slice the red onion and soak the slices in ice water for about five minutes to soften their sharpness. Drain the mandarin oranges and prepare the avocado by slicing it, and chop the rotisserie chicken breast.
- To assemble the salad, place approximately 3 cups of salad greens in each bowl or plate. Add the mandarin orange segments, chopped chicken, sliced avocado, and a few slices of the soaked red onion on top.
- Whisk the dressing once more before drizzling it over the salad. Start with a small amount of dressing since it is potent, and add more as needed after tasting.
- Enjoy your meal-worthy Chicken and Mandarin Salad, which combines sweet, creamy, crunchy, and savory flavors seamlessly with the sesame dressing.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons light or neutral oil (such as canola or grapeseed)
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 4 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- 1/2 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 6 cups salad greens (e.g., baby greens or finely shredded cabbage)
- 11 oz can mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 rotisserie chicken breast, chopped
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 avocado, sliced
Nutritional Values
Calories: 581.55 kcal | Carbohydrates: 30.9 g | Protein: 31.35 g | Fat: 40.35 g | Sodium: 918.65 mg | Fiber: 10.95 g | Sugar: N/A
FAQ
- Can I substitute the salad greens with something else?
- Absolutely! If you don’t have salad greens on hand, you can use finely shredded cabbage or even a bagged coleslaw mix as an alternative.
- What can I use instead of canned mandarin oranges?
- If canned mandarin oranges are not to your liking, diced mango makes a great substitute, offering a sweet and juicy alternative.
- What are some options for a crunchy topping if I don’t have sliced almonds?
- You can use chow mein noodles or crushed ramen noodles for a crunchy texture if sliced almonds are not available.
- How can I reduce the strong flavor of red onions in the salad?
- To mellow the strong taste of red onions, slice them very thinly and soak them in ice water for about five minutes before adding them to the salad.
- What type of oil is recommended for the sesame dressing?
- A light or neutral oil, such as canola, grapeseed, or untoasted sesame oil, is recommended for making the sesame dressing.
Tips
- Prepare the Dressing First: Allow the flavors in your sesame dressing to meld by making it ahead of time. This way, the taste will be more pronounced when you add it to your salad.
- Soften the Red Onion: For a milder onion flavor, slice the red onion thinly and soak the slices in ice water for about five minutes. This method helps to reduce the sharpness and makes them less overpowering.
- Choose Your Greens Wisely: While any salad greens can work, consider buying larger bags or tubs of greens, which are often cheaper per pound than smaller packages. Alternatively, thinly sliced cabbage can be a cost-effective substitute.
- Drizzling the Dressing: The sesame dressing is potent, so start by adding a small amount to your salad. Taste and add more if needed, ensuring the dressing complements rather than overpowers the other flavors.
Equipment
- Grater – For grating fresh ginger.
- Whisk – For mixing the sesame dressing.
- Small Jar or Bowl with Lid – For preparing and storing the dressing.
- Mandoline Slicer – For slicing the red onion very thinly.
- Salad Spinner – If using fresh salad greens, for washing and drying them efficiently.
