This healthier version of a classic salad makes a great lunch or dinner, especially in the warmer months. The salad dressing is rich and flavorful thanks to the use of pecan butter.
Author: American Pecan Council
Recipe type: Entree
Cuisine: Chinese
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
Asian Pecan Dressing
¼ cup pecan butter (see post above for Pecan Butter Options)
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1½ teaspoons soy sauce or gluten-free tamari
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil (see post above for Oil-Free Option)
2 tablespoons warm water, plus additional as needed
Chinese Salad
4 ounces dried thin rice noodles
Cold water
4 cups chopped romaine lettuce
4 cups chopped iceberg lettuce
1 cup mandarin oranges
½ cup crispy wontons (omit or sub more pecans for gluten-free)
¼ cup toasted and chopped pecans
2 scallions, finely chopped
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
2 cups rotisserie chicken breast, chopped (see post above for Plant-Based Option)
Instructions
Asian Pecan Dressing
In medium bowl, whisk together the pecan butter, rice vinegar, honey, soy sauce or tamari, and sesame oil and until smooth.
Add the 2 tablespoons warm water and whisk until incorporated. Add additional water, 1 teaspoon at a time, as needed, until the dressing reaches a pourable consistency.
Chinese Salad
Cook the rice noodles according to package instructions. Once cooked, drain and transfer to bowl with cold water to keep from sticking.
In a large bowl, toss the romaine and iceberg lettuces, mandarins, wontons, pecans, scallions, bean sprouts, and sesame seeds.
Divide the salad among four plates. Top each with ½ cup chicken and serve with dressing.
Recipe by Go Dairy Free at https://www.godairyfree.org/recipes/healthy-chinese-chicken-salad