Slashfood Ate (8): Chinese Chicken Salads

by Sarah J. Gim, Posted Aug 24th 2006 @ 7:31PM

chinese chicken salad

I was first introduced to Chinese Chicken Salad when I moved to LA after college. I don't remember which one was first, but I thought California Chicken Cafe, Feast from the East, and Chin Chin were absolutely brilliant with their renditions of this salad that has absolutely no roots Chinese cuisine. I am going to guess that it should be attributed to the Asian Fusion cuisine of Wolfgang Puck at his restaurant Chinois on Main some time in the early '80s, but I could be wrong.

There are lots of variations of the salad, and pretty much as long as it has chicken and some other ingredient that suggests "Asian," it can be called Chinese Chicken Salad. The base is usually shredded iceberg lettuce and/or Napa cabbage, and then includes but is not limited to: julienned carrots, scallions, either almonds or cashews, snow pea pods, mandarin oranges, and fried noodles or wonton strips. I have even seen recipes that use instant ramen noodles. The dressing is invariably some version of a sesame ginger vinaigrette.

Here are eight Chinese Chicken Salad recipes from around the food blogosphere to inspire you:

Passionate Nonchalance makes a dressing using peanut butter
My Sister's Kitchen is one that uses ramen noodles
The Survival Gourmet fixes one up at the request of his wife
Nosh Thoughts steers clear of the can and uses real oranges
The Scent of Green Bananas adds the scent of cilantro
Elise's Simply Recipes has two recipes: one from Martha and a second one
Kady is Gourmetish, making up the salad but using a great bottled dressing
'Ono Kine Grindz makes Chinese Chicken Salad to use his slivered scallions

Filed Under: On the Blogs, Lists, Slashfood Ate, Ingredients, How To
Tags: america, asia, chinese chicken salad, ChineseChickenSalad, dinner, food, food and drink, fruit, grains, lunch, meat, nuts, poultry, salad, salads, seeds, slashfood ate, spices, sugar, vegetables, wolfgang puck

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

8-24-2006 @10:31PM Sera said... Interesting! I didn't know that many versions existed! I know "Cheesecake Factory" uses the mandrain oranges and wonton strips in theirs.

Here's a version that's been in my family, and they all adore it!

Chinese Ramen Chicken Salad
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8-24-2006 @10:33PM Sera said... Whoops, here's the link

http://www.flickr.com/photos/princess_of_llyr/140051321/in/pool-food-i_cooked-i-made_this/
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8-24-2006 @11:45PM Matt said... I will forever hate the Chinese chicken salad and those who push it. It annoys me to no end.
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8-25-2006 @12:44PM Chris said... Slasdot is to Microsoft as Slashfood is to Chinese Chiken Salad? Hater.
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8-25-2006 @1:15PM deez said... Chinese chicken salad absolutely is rooted in Chinese Cuisine.
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8-26-2006 @1:28PM The Survival Gourmet said... Thanks for the mention. I really like what you are doing here and I will be back often for food ideas!

I added you to my blogroll so you have a permanent link at The Survival Gourmet!
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