Grilled Ginger-Sesame Chicken Chopped Salad
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Do you get easily bored of the same salads all the time? I know I do, so I’m always trying out new salad recipes. This grilled ginger-sesame chicken chopped salad is a great one to add to your rotation. It’s easy, it is incredibly flavorful and all the textures in this salad are amazing – the crunch, the chew, the tenderness and the unique bite from the sesame seeds. I love that it is healthy too! Good for you food doesn’t have to be bland and boring, with the right flavors and a few fresh ingredients you’ve got a meal worth remembering.
The best part of this salad is the marinated and grilled chicken. I enjoyed it so much that I will likely just start making it all it’s own on occasion. It has the perfect blend of flavors and the marinade was quick and easy to throw together. Another great thing about this salad is the cabbage, how often do we get caught making salads over and over with the same types of lettuce. It’s nice to have a little variation. Summer is salad season so keep this recipe handy and try it soon!
Enjoy!
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Grilled Ginger-Sesame Chicken Chopped Salad
Ingredients
Dressing and Marinade
- 1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp finely minced ginger
- 3 Tbsp canola oil
- 2 Tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil (I used regular un-toasted since it's all I had)
- 1 tsp Sriracha (I didn't even notice it, so if you like heat add a little more)
- 1/2 tsp salt , then more to taste as desired
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions , green and white parts
Salad
- 2 (9 oz) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 lb napa cabbage , halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
- 1 1/2 - 2 cups matchstick carrots , or 2 medium carrots cut into matchsticks
- 2/3 cup slivered or sliced almonds , toasted
- 1/2 cup cilantro leaves , chopped
- 3 chopped green onions , green and white parts
- 1 tsp white sesame seeds , toasted
- 1 tsp black sesame seeds (or an additional 1 tsp white, toasted)
Instructions
- For the marinade:
- In a mixing bowl (or 2-cup liquid measuring cup), whisk together soy sauce, ginger, canola oil, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, Sriracha and 1/2 tsp salt (adding more salt to taste as desired, original recipe calls for 1 tsp salt, I added 3/4 tsp and I still thought that was too much).
- Add chicken breasts to a large resealable bag and add 3 Tbsp of the marinade mixture, reserving remaining. Seal bag and rub marinade over chicken, then transfer chicken to refrigerator and let rest at least 30 minutes, or up to 1 day.
- For the dressing:
- Add red wine vinegar and 1/4 cup chopped green onions to remaining dressing mixture and whisk to blend. Set aside (chill in refrigerator if marinating chicken longer than 1 hour).
- For the salad:
- Heat a grill or grill pan over stove top over medium-high heat. Brush grill lightly with canola or vegetable oil, then place marinated chicken on grill and cook, about 4 minutes per side, or until chicken has cooked through (it should register to 165 degrees in center of chicken when tested with a meat thermometer).
- Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes. Then, cut chicken crosswise into strips about 1/4-inch thick.
- To assemble salad:
- In a large bowl toss together cabbage, chicken, carrots, almonds, 3 chopped green onions, and cilantro with enough dressing to coat salad. Sprinkle top with sesame seeds and serve.
Notes
