Sizzling Chinese Chicken Salad
This Sizzling Chinese Chicken Salad is a vibrant, flavor-packed dish that brings together tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and a savory soy sauce dressing, all served atop a bed of crisp lettuce. Quick to prepare in under 30 minutes, this dish features succulent chicken strips simmered with garlic, mushrooms, crunchy water chestnuts, and colorful green onions, topped with the perfect hint of MSG for umami flavor. Serve it warm with your favorite rice for a satisfying meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or as an impressive dish for gatherings.
N/A
Servings
150
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 (cut into thin strips)
cornstarch
1/4 cup (for coating chicken)
oil
1/4 cup (for frying)
garlic cloves
3 - 4 (peeled)
mushrooms
1/2 lb (sliced)
water chestnuts
1 (6 ounce) can (sliced)
green onion
1 bunch (cut into 2-inch lengths)
celery
1 cup (diagonally sliced)
soy sauce
1/4 cup (for seasoning)
msg
1/2 teaspoon (for flavor enhancement)
shredded lettuce
2 cups (for serving)
pimiento
1/4 cup (drained and chopped)
Instructions
1
Begin by cutting the boneless skinless chicken breasts into thin strips using either scissors or a sharp knife.
2
Roll the chicken strips in cornstarch until evenly coated and set aside.
3
In a large skillet or wok, heat the oil over medium-high heat and add the peeled garlic cloves. Cook until the garlic turns golden brown, then remove and discard the garlic.
4
Add the chicken to the hot oil and sauté, stirring frequently, until the chicken is browned and cooked through.
5
Once the chicken is browned, add the sliced mushrooms, water chestnuts, green onions, and celery into the pan. Stir-fry the mixture until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.
6
Pour in the soy sauce and sprinkle in the monosodium glutamate (MSG), stirring until everything is combined and heated through.
7
Remove the skillet from heat and gently incorporate the shredded lettuce and chopped pimento, tossing lightly to combine all ingredients.
8
Serve the hot chicken salad immediately, either on its own or over a generous helping of rice.
Nutrition Information
5g
Fat
15g
Carbs
11g
Protein
1g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sizzling Chinese Chicken Salad?
It is a vibrant, flavor-packed dish featuring tender chicken strips, fresh vegetables, and a savory soy sauce dressing served over crisp lettuce.
How long does it take to prepare this recipe?
This dish is designed to be a quick meal and can be prepared in under 30 minutes.
What are the main ingredients for this salad?
The primary ingredients include chicken breasts, cornstarch, mushrooms, water chestnuts, green onions, celery, and soy sauce.
How should the chicken be prepared?
You should cut boneless skinless chicken breasts into thin strips and coat them evenly in cornstarch.
What is the purpose of the garlic in this recipe?
Garlic cloves are used to flavor the cooking oil; they are cooked until golden brown and then discarded before adding the chicken.
What vegetables are included in the stir-fry?
The stir-fry mixture contains sliced mushrooms, water chestnuts, green onions, and diagonally sliced celery.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains approximately 150 calories.
What is the protein content of this dish?
This recipe provides 11g of protein per serving.
How much fat is in the Sizzling Chinese Chicken Salad?
There are 5g of fat per serving in this recipe.
Are there many carbohydrates in this meal?
The dish contains 15g of carbohydrates per serving.
Does this recipe provide fiber?
Yes, there is approximately 1g of fiber per serving.
Why is MSG used in this recipe?
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is added to enhance the umami flavor of the dish.
When should the lettuce be added?
The shredded lettuce should be incorporated after removing the skillet from the heat to keep it fresh and crisp.
What are pimientos and how are they used?
Pimientos are sweet red peppers; in this recipe, they are drained, chopped, and tossed into the salad at the end for color and flavor.
Can I serve this dish with rice?
Yes, it is highly recommended to serve this hot chicken salad over a generous helping of rice.
Is this a warm or cold salad?
This is a warm salad because the chicken and vegetables are stir-fried and served immediately while hot.
What type of chicken is best for this recipe?
Boneless skinless chicken breasts are best because they are easy to slice into the thin strips required.
How do I ensure the vegetables stay crisp?
Stir-fry the vegetables only until they are tender but still retain their crispness.
How should the green onions be cut?
The green onions should be cut into 2-inch lengths.
What is the best way to slice the celery?
The celery should be sliced diagonally for an authentic stir-fry texture.
How do I brown the chicken?
Sauté the cornstarch-coated chicken strips in hot oil, stirring frequently until they are browned and cooked through.
Can I use a wok for this recipe?
Yes, a large skillet or a wok is ideal for the stir-frying steps of this recipe.
How much oil is needed?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of oil for frying the chicken and vegetables.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, with 150 calories and a good amount of protein and vegetables, it is tagged as a healthy meal option.
What kind of soy sauce should I use?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of soy sauce for seasoning; standard or light soy sauce works well.
How do I incorporate the cornstarch?
Roll the thin chicken strips in 1/4 cup of cornstarch until they are evenly coated before frying.
Is this recipe suitable for busy weeknights?
Yes, because it is quick to prepare and easy to make, it is perfect for weeknight dinners.
What makes this salad 'sizzling'?
The 'sizzling' aspect comes from the hot stir-fried chicken and vegetables being served immediately over fresh lettuce.
How should I toss the final ingredients?
Once the heat is off, gently incorporate the lettuce and pimiento by tossing them lightly with the hot mixture.
Can I use this recipe for gatherings?
Yes, its vibrant colors and umami-rich flavors make it an impressive dish for guests.