Funky Chicken Friday: Chinese Chicken Salad with Chipotle Dressing

August 26, 2011

This is not your average Chinese chicken salad. Romaine lettuce and napa cabbage are tossed with a sweet and spicy dressing made with peanut butter, chipotle peppers (smoked jalapenos), and honey. Roasted peanuts, carrots and snow peas are added for texture and flavor. You can pick up a rotisserie chicken from your local market if you are in a time crunch or grill some chicken breasts on the barbecue. This is a light and refreshing meal that can be made any night of the week.

Chinese Chicken Salad with Chipotle Dressing

Ingredients:

Pea-mond Dressing:

1/4 cup rice wine vinegar

1 tablespoon smooth peanut butter

1 tablespoon smooth almond butter

1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger

2 teaspoons adobo chipotle pepper juice

1 teaspoon adobo chipotle pepper puree

1 tablespoon soy sauce

2 tablespoons honey

2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil

1/2 cup canola oil

Salt and freshly ground pepper

Salad:

1/2 head Napa cabbage, shredded

1/2 head romaine lettuce, shredded

2 carrots, shredded

1/4 pound snow peas, julienned

1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro leaves

1/4 cup thinly sliced green onion

2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken

1/2 cup chopped roasted peanuts

1/4 cup chopped fresh mint leaves

Chili oil, optional

lime halves, for garnish

Directions:

Dressing:

Whisk together the vinegar, peanut & almond butters, ginger, chipotle pepper puree, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, and canola oil in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Salad:

Combine cabbage, lettuce, carrots, snow peas, cilantro, and green onion in a large bowl. Add the dressing and toss to combine.

Transfer to a serving platter and top with the shredded chicken, chopped peanuts, and mint. Drizzle with chili oil, if desired. Garnish with lime halves.