Funky Chicken Friday: Chinese Chicken Salad with Chipotle Dressing
By: Leah Rodrigues
Published: 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.