Party and I have consumed countless salads over the last few months, from heirloom tomato panzanella to Niçoise salad and everything in between. But I'd almost forgotten about the American café favorite, Asian chicken salad, until I found myself watching Giada at Home one afternoon, and had yet another "must make this" moment. Her version is topped with sliced, roasted chicken and coated in a not-too-cloying soy dressing. The result is a light, yet hearty salad that I could eat over and over again. See for yourself when you check out the recipe.

Asian Chicken Salad
Adapted from Giada De Laurentiis
Asian Chicken Salad

Ingredients

Salad:
1 large carrot, peeled
3 cups shredded napa cabbage, from 1 small cabbage
3 cups shredded romaine lettuce, from 1 small lettuce
1 small red bell pepper, seeded and deveined, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons fresh Thai basil leaves or fresh mint leaves, chopped
2 cups thinly sliced store-bought rotisserie chicken (about 2 small chicken breasts)
1/2 cup pine nuts
1 tablespoon toasted white or black sesame seeds

Dressing:
1/4 cup peanut or vegetable oil
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup chow mein noodles, for garnish

Directions

  1. For the salad: Using a vegetable peeler, shave the carrot and add to a large salad bowl. Stir in the cabbage, lettuce, pepper, Thai basil, chicken, almonds, and sesame seeds.
  2. For the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, if using.
  3. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well. Garnish with the chow mein noodles and serve.

Serves 4 to 6.

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