25 May Healthy Chinese Chicken Salad

Healthy Chinese Chicken Salad

Okay, we’ve all been there… We THINK we are doing something healthy for our bodies by ordering a Chinese chicken salad, only to find out that it’s one of the least healthy things on the menu! Uggh! Why? It does have the word “salad” in the title. Well, I’ll tell you why. What’s not in the title are those amazing crunchy carbo bits of croutons/wontons/whatever they are, which have the addictive properties of Pringles Potato Chips- once we start eating , we know we can’t stop. Take those crunchy bits of heaven, mix them with a sugar-loaded dressing, and you have one of the worst choices at a Chinese restaurant. (Even if it does call itself a “salad.” But there is a healthy Chinese chicken salad alternative, folks. This recipe has no processed carbs, no refined sugars, and as for the crunchy stuff?  Well, that’s just plain good! (and good for you!)

(serves 4-5, if an entree; serves 6-8, if a side salad)
INGREDIENTS:

Chicken:
3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons Brag’s Amino Acid Soy Substitute (or low sodium soy sauce)
2 teaspoons sesame oil

Salad:
1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
2 cups purple cabbage, sliced
2 cups snow peas, deveined and sliced on an angle
4 green onions (chop the white bulbs, slice the green tops on an angle)
1 cup shredded carrots
1/2 cup coarsely chopped cilantro
2 mandarin oranges, peeled and segmented
1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds

Dressing:
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced
1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
1/2 cup Brag’s Amino Acid Soy Substitute (or low sodium soy sauce)
2 tablespoons organic raw honey
3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)

PROCEDURE:
*Preheat oven to 350°
*Mix 2 tablespoons Brag’s with 2 teaspoons sesame oil. Brush on chicken breasts and bake for 15 minutes or until juices run clear. Cool completely and coarsely shred.
*Mix the salad ingredients in a large bowl, reserving 1/2 of the almonds and a few orange segments for garnish.
*For the dressing, whisk all of the ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl, or shake in a glass dressing container. Heat in the microwave for 1 minute to allow the honey to melt. Cool, then shake or whisk again.
*Toss the salad with the dressing and the chicken, reserving some extra dressing on the side.
*Arrange on a large platter, top with remaining toasted almonds and orange segments.

So there you have it. A Chinese chicken salad that actually deserves the title of “salad.”
It’s light. It’s healthy. It’s a really great way to Live Young.

Live Young,
Darnell 🙂