Bright & Zingy Ina Garten’s Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe

Summers call for fresh, zesty meals that dance on your palate, and this Ina Garten Chinese chicken salad recipe delivers pure culinary magic.

Crisp vegetables mingle with tender, perfectly seasoned chicken in a symphony of flavors.

The dressing bursts with tangy, bold notes that awaken every taste bud.

Packed with vibrant ingredients, this salad turns an ordinary lunch into a gourmet experience.

Each bite promises a delightful crunch and a hint of Asian-inspired zest.

Light yet satisfying, this recipe brings restaurant-quality elegance right to your kitchen.

Grab your ingredients and get ready to impress with a salad that’s sure to become a summer staple.

Items Required for Ina Garten Chinese Chicken Salad

• Chicken Breasts: Lean and tender protein that forms the hearty base of the salad, select fresh, organic chicken for the best flavor and texture.
• Sesame Seeds: Nutty and crunchy topping that adds a delightful textural contrast and rich, toasted essence to the dish.

• Asparagus: Crisp, green vegetable that brings a fresh and slightly earthy dimension, choose bright green spears with tight, compact tips.
• Bell Peppers: Colorful and sweet vegetable that provides vibrant crunch, select peppers that are firm and have a glossy, unblemished surface.
• Scallions: Mild onion-like herb that adds a sharp, fresh note and beautiful green color, pick bright green stalks with white bottoms.

• Olive Oil: Smooth, fruity oil that helps roast chicken and bind dressing, opt for extra virgin for the most robust flavor.
• Salt: Essential flavor enhancer that balances and elevates the entire dish, use high-quality sea salt or kosher salt.
• Black Pepper: Warm, spicy seasoning that adds depth and complexity, freshly ground provides the most intense flavor.

Tools That Help Prepare Ina Garten Chinese Chicken Salad

• Baking sheet: Essential for roasting chicken evenly and creating a non-stick surface.
• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for combining chicken, vegetables, and tossing with dressing.
• Whisk: Great for blending dressing ingredients smoothly and quickly.
• Cutting board: Ideal for shredding chicken and chopping vegetables.
• Sharp knife: Needed for slicing bell peppers, scallions, and preparing ingredients.
• Pot: Used for boiling water to blanch asparagus.
• Tongs: Helpful for transferring asparagus between boiling water and ice bath.
• Colander: Useful for draining blanched asparagus.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise for measuring dressing ingredients.
• Ice bath bowl: Stops asparagus cooking and keeps vegetables crisp.

Steps to Make Ina Garten Chinese Chicken Salad

• Chicken Preparation

Roast chicken breasts in oven until perfectly cooked and tender, ensuring juicy meat that falls apart easily.

• Vegetable Selection

Select crisp, colorful vegetables that complement the chicken’s rich flavor, creating a vibrant and fresh base for the salad.

• Dressing Magic

Blend tangy and sweet ingredients to create a harmonious sauce that ties all components together with delightful complexity.

• Salad Assembly

Mix roasted chicken with crunchy vegetables, allowing each ingredient to shine while creating a balanced and exciting texture experience.

• Final Touch

Sprinkle with aromatic garnishes that elevate the salad’s visual appeal and add an extra layer of flavor complexity, transforming a simple dish into a gourmet adventure.

Twist Ideas for Ina Garten Chinese Chicken Salad

• Replace chicken with grilled shrimp, tofu, or sliced beef for a different protein twist that keeps the salad exciting and versatile.
• Add toasted almonds, crispy wonton strips, or crushed rice crackers to enhance the texture and give an extra layer of delightful crispiness.
• Experiment with seasonal vegetables like sugar snap peas, cucumber, or radishes to add color, nutrition, and fresh flavors to the salad.
• Drizzle sriracha sauce, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes, or mix in some grated ginger to bring a zesty kick and elevate the overall taste profile.
• Prepare the chicken and chop vegetables in advance, storing them separately. Combine and dress the salad just before serving to maintain maximum freshness and crispness.

Serving Tips for Ina Garten Chinese Chicken Salad

• Refresh with Chilled Delight: Serve this Chinese chicken salad straight from the refrigerator for a cool, crisp summer meal that beats the heat and satisfies hunger.
• Create Asian-Inspired Plating: Arrange the salad on a wide, flat plate with a sprinkle of sesame seeds and green onion rings for an Instagram-worthy presentation that looks as good as it tastes.
• Pack for Picnic Perfect: Transfer the salad to an airtight container for an easy, portable lunch that travels well to parks, beaches, or office lunch breaks without losing its vibrant flavors.
• Pair with Complementary Sides: Serve alongside light rice crackers, steamed edamame, or a small bowl of miso soup to round out the meal with additional Asian-inspired textures and tastes.

Save Leftovers of Ina Garten Chinese Chicken Salad Like This

• Refrigerate Quickly: Store the salad in an airtight container within 2 hours of preparation to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Consume Wisely: Enjoy the salad within 3-4 days when kept refrigerated, ensuring peak flavor and food safety.
• Separate Dressing Strategy: Keep the dressing separate from the salad ingredients until serving to prevent soggy vegetables and maintain crisp textures.
• Freeze with Caution: While chicken can be frozen, the salad's vegetable components will lose crispness, so it's best consumed fresh for optimal taste and texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 4

Elegant Ina Garten Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Ina Garten’s Chinese chicken salad combines crisp vegetables with tender chicken in a tangy sesame dressing. Elegant ingredients deliver complex flavors that transport diners to a refreshing culinary experience you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 split chicken breasts (bone-in, skin-on)
• ½ pound (226 g) asparagus, ends removed, cut in thirds diagonally
• 1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded, and sliced into strips
• 2 scallions (white and green parts), sliced diagonally
• ¼ cup (60 ml) smooth peanut butter
• ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
• ¼ cup (60 ml) apple cider vinegar
• 3 tbsps soy sauce
• 1 ½ tbsps dark sesame oil
• 2 tbsps good olive oil
• 1 tbsp white sesame seeds, toasted
• ½ tbsp sesame seeds, toasted
• ½ tbsp honey
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• ½ tsp peeled, grated fresh ginger
• 2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Roasting Chicken: Preheat oven to 350°F with center rack. Arrange chicken breasts on a rimmed baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
2. Cooking Chicken: Roast for 35-40 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Rest for 10 minutes, then shred meat using two forks, discarding skin and bones.
3. Preparing Asparagus: Blanch asparagus in salted boiling water for 3-5 minutes until vibrant green. Shock in ice water bath, drain, and pat dry.
4. Mixing Salad Components: Combine shredded chicken, blanched asparagus, and sliced bell peppers in a large mixing bowl, creating a vibrant base.
5. Creating Dressing: Whisk dressing ingredients until smooth and fully incorporated, ensuring no separated layers.
6. Assembling Salad: Pour dressing over the salad mixture, gently tossing to coat evenly. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Finishing Touch: Sprinkle with sliced green onions and toasted sesame seeds. Serve chilled or at room temperature for a refreshing meal.

Notes

• Precision Roasting: Use a meat thermometer to guarantee chicken reaches 165°F, preventing dryness and ensuring food safety.
• Moisture Retention Technique: Let roasted chicken rest 10 minutes before shredding to lock in natural juices and enhance tenderness.
• Asparagus Blanching Trick: Immediately transfer blanched asparagus to ice water to stop cooking and maintain vibrant green color and crisp texture.
• Dressing Integration Tip: Whisk dressing thoroughly until ingredients completely emulsify, creating a smooth, well-balanced flavor profile for the salad.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: Chinese

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg