20 Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe 1980 Savor The Mouthwatering Goodness!

Published on: Mar 23, 2024

The Chinese Chicken Salad has been a popular dish since its creation in 1980 by Cecilia Chang, the founder of the renowned restaurant Mandarin Restaurant in San Francisco. This flavorful and colorful salad is a perfect combination of crunchy vegetables, tender chicken, and a tangy dressing that is sure to satisfy your taste buds. In this article, we will take a closer look at the history of this iconic dish and provide you with a mouth-watering Chinese Chicken Salad recipe that you can easily recreate in your own kitchen.

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The Origins of Chinese Chicken Salad

The Birth of a Culinary Legend

The creation of the Chinese Chicken Salad is credited to Cecilia Chang, also known as the "Mother of Chinese Food in America." Chang was a Chinese-American chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author who opened the first Chinese restaurant in the United States, the Mandarin Restaurant, in 1961. The restaurant quickly gained popularity for its authentic Chinese dishes, and the Chinese Chicken Salad became a customer favorite. It soon became a staple on the menu and a must-try dish for anyone visiting the restaurant.

A Fusion of East and West

The Chinese Chicken Salad was a unique fusion of traditional Chinese ingredients and flavors with Western salad elements. The dish featured crisp lettuce, sliced chicken, and crunchy wonton strips tossed in a tangy dressing made with soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice vinegar. This combination of textures and flavors was a hit among diners, and the salad's popularity quickly spread beyond the walls of the Mandarin Restaurant.

The Evolution of the Recipe

From Simple to Sophisticated

Over the years, the Chinese Chicken Salad recipe has evolved, with different chefs and restaurants adding their own twist to the dish. Some versions include additional ingredients such as mandarin oranges, almonds, or sesame seeds, while others use different dressings such as peanut or hoisin sauce. Despite these variations, the core elements of the salad remain the same, making it a recognizable and beloved dish around the world.

A Global Phenomenon

Today, the Chinese Chicken Salad can be found on menus in Chinese restaurants, Asian fusion eateries, and even mainstream restaurants around the globe. It has become a go-to dish for those looking for a light yet satisfying meal, and its popularity shows no signs of slowing down.

The Perfect Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe

Ingredients:

1 head of romaine lettuce, chopped
1 cup shredded chicken breast
1 cup shredded red cabbage
1 cup shredded carrots
1/2 cup sliced green onions
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 cup chopped roasted peanuts
1/4 cup crispy wonton strips
For the dressing:
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon grated ginger
1 clove of garlic, minced

Instructions:

In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, shredded chicken, red cabbage, carrots, green onions, and cilantro.
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, ginger, and garlic to make the dressing.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to combine.
Top the salad with chopped peanuts and crispy wonton strips.
Serve and enjoy your homemade Chinese Chicken Salad!

With its rich history and delicious flavors, the Chinese Chicken Salad is truly a culinary masterpiece. So why not try making it at home and experience the taste of this iconic dish for yourself?