Chinese Chicken Salad With Peanut, Garlic, and Orange Dressing

Submitted by Waylando

"Cabbage, orange segments, dry ramen noodles, peanuts, and chicken are tossed in a sweet and salty, tart and tangy dressing. This recipe is an improvement of one of my mother's favorites; your family is sure to love it too!"

 

• Ready In: 1hr 20mins
• Ingredients: 19
• Yields: 1 large bowl
• Serves: 6-8

ingredients

• For the Salad

• 1 head green cabbage, finely chopped
• 1 head red cabbage, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons kosher salt
• 2 navel oranges, peeled and cut into wedges (supremes)
• 3 ounces Top Ramen noodles, crumbled
• 3⁄4 lb cooked chicken, cooled and diced (about 2 whole breasts)
• 5 green onions, thinly sliced

• For the Dressing

• 2 tablespoons canola oil or 2 tablespoons peanut oil
• 1 cup dry-roasted unsalted peanuts
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons mustard
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon garlic and red chile paste (I like Huy Fong brand, you could also use Sriracha)
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1⁄4 cup brown sugar
• 1⁄2 cup orange juice
• 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
• 1⁄4 cup toasted sesame oil
• salt and pepper, to taste

directions

1. In the basket of a salad spinner, toss the cabbage with the 3 tablespoons of salt. Let sit for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. The idea is to draw out some of the water inside the cabbage and make it less crunchy, but not to let it get too salty. Once the cabbage has given up a about a quarter cup of water and looks wet, it's time to rinse (Step 7).
2. Meanwhile, heat the canola oil in a medium saucepan. Once the oil starts to shimmer, add the peanuts. Cook over medium heat until the peanuts begin to toast and turn brown. Take the pan off the heat and fish out the peanuts, saving them to put in the salad later.
3. Return the oil to the heat and add the garlic. Saute for 1 - 2 minutes, or until fragrant (but not burned - if the garlic and ginger start to turn brown, add some water to the pan - when it cooks off, the garlic and ginger will be cooked through). Add the mustard, peanut butter, and garlic chili paste. Whisk to combine.
4. Add the soy sauce and brown sugar while whisking over medium heat. Keep whisking until the sugar is fully dissolved (just a minute or two) then add the orange juice. Remove from heat.
5. Add the vinegar, Sesame oil, and pepper to taste (you probably won't need to add any extra salt).
6. Pour the dressing into a measuring cup or bowl, cover, and cool in the fridge until ready to add to the salad.
7. Rinse the cabbage in several changes of cold water, or until it does not taste overly salty. Dry in the salad spinner and pour into mixing bowl.
8. Sprinkle the crumbled ramen noodles, green onions, chicken, and orange segments on top of the cabbage. Pour half of the dressing over the top, toss to combine.
9. Allow diners to drizzle the remaining dressing over their own salads to taste. Bon Appetit!