This crispy chicken salad is an easy warm-weather dinner thanks to some smart short-cuts like bagged salad and store-bought chicken tenders. The dressing is a zingy peanut-garlic combo and all of it comes together in about 30 minutes.
6ouncesfrozen breaded chicken tendersI like Applegate brand
3cupsAsian-style bagged saladsee note
2cupschopped spinach
1/4cupchopped red onion
For the Dressing
2tablespoonscreamy peanut butter
1cloveof garlicminced
1tablespoonsesame oil
1teaspoonsoy sauce
1/2teaspoongranulated sugar
1tablespoonrice wine vinegar
Juice of 1 lime
1/2teaspoonginger paste
1pinchred pepper flakesor more to taste
Garnishes
1green onionsliced
2tablespoonsroughly chopped roasted peanuts
1/2cuprice noodles
Instructions
Bake the chicken tenders according to package directions. While they bake, assemble the salad by tossing the packaged salad with the spinach, and red onion. Divide the salad between two plates or bowls.
In a small bowl, whisk the peanut butter, garlic, oil, soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, lime juice, ginger paste, and red pepper flakes until smooth. The dressing will be thick, so add up to 3 tablespoons of water until it is thin enough to pour.
Slice the baked chicken tenders into bite-sized pieces and divide them between the two salads. Drizzle the dressing over the top of the salads and garnish each with the chopped peanuts and green onion.
Notes
Look for bagged Asian-style salad mix in the produce department. Mine included a package of dressing and other garnishes, which I didn't use. If you can't find one, you can use a coleslaw mix.