Recipe

Asparagus & Chicken Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing

Prep Time: 1 hr 30 min
Cook Time: 15 min
Serves: 4

Here’s a perfect spring salad that celebrates fresh asparagus and chives. You will love the tangy, sesame ginger dressing.

Ingredients

Asparagus & Chicken Salad:

1/2 lb (0.3 kg) asparagus, fresh
1 tsp (5 mL) sunflower oil
1 tsp (5 mL) sunflower oil
1 lb (0.5 kg) boneless, skinless chicken breast(s)
1 tsp (5 mL) toasted sesame oil
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tsp (10 mL) rice vinegar
1 tbsp (15 mL) light tamari sauce
1 tsp (5 mL) sunflower oil
8 cups (2 L) Romaine lettuce, shredded
2 cups (500 mL) green cabbage, shredded
1 carrot(s), medium, grated
2 cups (500 mL) orange peppers, thinly sliced
1 green onion(s), thinly sliced
12 sprigs chives, for garnish

Sesame Ginger Dressing:

3 tbsp (45 mL) sunflower oil
4 tsp (20 mL) rice vinegar
2 tsp (10 mL) water
1/4 tsp (1.25 mL) ginger, ground
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tsp (10 mL) ketchup
2 tsp (10 mL) honey
1 tsp (5 mL) lemon juice
1/4 tsp (1.25 mL) black pepper, freshly ground
1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) toasted sesame oil
1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) sesame seeds
2 tsp (10 mL) light tamari sauce

Instructions

Asparagus & Chicken Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing

1 Cut chicken breasts into strips (6-8 pieces per breast). Place in shallow bowl. Add sesame oil, minced garlic, rice vinegar and tamari and turn pieces to coat. Marinate 1 hour in the refrigerator.
2 Trim tough ends from asparagus. Heat 1 tsp (5 mL) oil in non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add asparagus and sauté approximately five minutes until tender crisp. Roll the spears in the pan to coat with oil and encourage even cooking on all sides. Set aside to cool. Slice on an angle into 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) pieces.
3 Heat another teaspoon (5 mL) oil in pan asparagus was sautéed in. Add chicken strips and cook until lightly browned and cooked through (165°F (74°C)) - about 5 minutes per side. Pour over any remaining marinade during cooking. Boil and set aside to cool.
4 Shred romaine lettuce and cabbage and add to large salad bowl. Top with the grated carrot and slivers of orange pepper.
5 To serve, pile romaine salad high in centre of dinner plate. Garnish with sliced green onions and a few chive sprigs. Serve with sesame ginger dressing.

Sesame Ginger Dressing

1 Measure sunflower oil, rice vinegar, water, ground ginger, garlic, ketchup, honey, lemon juice, freshly ground black pepper, sesame oil, sesame seeds and tamari into a blender or food processor. Process until smooth. Serve with Asparagus & Chicken Salad.