Crispy Cashew Chicken Salad with Mandarin Citrus Dressing
This refreshing Crispy Cashew Chicken Salad is a delightful medley of textures and flavors, featuring crunchy shredded iceberg lettuce, tender rotisserie chicken, and vibrant mandarin oranges. The zesty dressing, made from rice vinegar, fresh ginger, and hoisin sauce, adds a distinctive Asian-inspired flair that perfectly complements the wholesome ingredients. With the savory crunch of roasted cashews and the crispness of bean sprouts, this salad is not only visually appealing but also a satisfying meal that can be enjoyed anytime. Perfect for lunch or a light dinner, it holds up well, making leftovers just as tasty!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Rice Vinegar
3 tablespoons (none)
Fresh Ginger
1 tablespoon, minced and peeled (minced and peeled)
Low Sodium Soy Sauce
1 tablespoon (none)
Sugar
1 teaspoon (none)
Hoisin Sauce
2 teaspoons (none)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Iceberg Lettuce
4 cups (shredded)
Rotisserie Chicken
3 cups (shredded, boneless, and skinless)
Fresh Bean Sprouts
1 1/2 cups (none)
Green Onion
1/2 cup (chopped)
Roasted Cashews
2 tablespoons (chopped)
Mandarin Oranges
1 (11 ounce) can (drained)
Instructions
1
In a small bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, minced ginger, low sodium soy sauce, sugar, hoisin sauce, and salt until well combined and the sugar is dissolved.
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded iceberg lettuce, rotisserie chicken, fresh bean sprouts, chopped green onion, and drained mandarin oranges.
3
Drizzle the dressing over the salad mixture, tossing gently to ensure that all ingredients are evenly coated.
4
Top the salad with chopped roasted cashews for an extra crunch. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to one hour before serving for enhanced flavors.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein in this recipe?
The main protein used is 3 cups of shredded, boneless, and skinless rotisserie chicken.
What kind of lettuce provides the crunch in this salad?
The recipe calls for 4 cups of shredded iceberg lettuce to ensure a crisp and crunchy texture.
How much rice vinegar is required for the dressing?
You will need 3 tablespoons of rice vinegar to create the mandarin citrus dressing.
How should the fresh ginger be prepared?
The recipe requires 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger that has been peeled and minced.
What type of soy sauce is recommended?
The recipe recommends using 1 tablespoon of low sodium soy sauce.
Is there any sugar in the dressing?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of sugar is added to the dressing to balance the flavors.
How much hoisin sauce is used?
The dressing includes 2 teaspoons of hoisin sauce for an Asian-inspired flair.
How much salt should I add to the dressing?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of salt in the dressing mixture.
How many bean sprouts are included?
The salad contains 1 1/2 cups of fresh bean sprouts.
How much green onion is needed for this salad?
You should use 1/2 cup of chopped green onion.
What kind of cashews are used as a topping?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of chopped roasted cashews for an extra crunch.
What size can of mandarin oranges is needed?
You will need one 11-ounce can of mandarin oranges.
Do the mandarin oranges need to be drained?
Yes, ensure the mandarin oranges are drained before adding them to the mixing bowl.
What is the first step in preparing the dressing?
Whisk together the rice vinegar, minced ginger, soy sauce, sugar, hoisin sauce, and salt in a small bowl until the sugar is dissolved.
How do I assemble the salad?
Combine the lettuce, chicken, bean sprouts, green onion, and oranges in a large bowl, then drizzle with dressing and toss gently.
When should the roasted cashews be added?
Top the salad with the chopped roasted cashews just before serving to maintain their crunch.
Can the salad be refrigerated before serving?
Yes, you can refrigerate the salad for up to one hour to enhance the flavors.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, the recipe is tagged as healthy and features fresh vegetables and lean rotisserie chicken.
What makes this salad Asian-inspired?
The combination of rice vinegar, fresh ginger, hoisin sauce, and bean sprouts gives it a distinctive Asian-inspired flair.
Are the leftovers from this salad good?
Yes, the salad holds up well, which makes the leftovers just as tasty as the initial serving.
Is the chicken skinless in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for boneless and skinless shredded rotisserie chicken.
How is the lettuce prepared?
The 4 cups of iceberg lettuce should be shredded before being added to the salad.
What is the total number of ingredients in this recipe?
There are a total of 12 ingredients used to make this salad and its dressing.
Is this recipe suitable for a light dinner?
Absolutely, it is described as a satisfying meal perfect for lunch or a light dinner.
What is the texture of this salad like?
The salad is a medley of textures, featuring crunchy lettuce and cashews, tender chicken, and vibrant oranges.
How do I ensure the ingredients are evenly coated?
Toss the salad gently after drizzling the dressing to ensure all components are evenly covered.
Can I serve this salad immediately?
Yes, the salad can be served immediately after assembly and topping with cashews.
What kind of bowl should I use for mixing the salad?
A large mixing bowl is recommended to properly combine all the salad ingredients.
What kind of ginger is used?
The recipe specifically uses fresh ginger that has been minced and peeled.
Is this a refreshing salad?
Yes, the description highlights it as a refreshing medley of flavors and textures.