Best New Moon Cafe Chinese Chicken Salad Recipes

BEST CHICKEN SALAD

Best Chicken Salad image

The secret here isn't in the seasonings (though the tarragon and sour cream make it pretty wonderful) but in the texture of the chicken, described as "plush" by the chef Barbara Tropp in her "China Moon" cookbook. She incorporated Chinese methods and flavors to her cooking, including this foolproof method for poaching chicken breasts without overcooking. It makes a chicken salad that's perfect for sandwiches (especially on dark rye or sourdough breads) or scooped onto a lettuce-lined plate with sliced radishes, tomatoes, crackers, grapes or all of the above. The chicken breasts used here must be bone-in, but you can remove the skin if you prefer. The skin and bones flavor the cooking liquid, providing a bonus of several pints of chicken stock.

Provided by Julia Moskin

Categories brunch, dinner, lunch, salads and dressings, main course

Time 6h20m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

About 4 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts
2 scallions, cut into thirds
1/4 teaspoon black peppercorns
1 lemon, halved
2/3 cup mayonnaise, preferably Hellmann's, Best Foods or homemade
1/4 cup sour cream or crème fraîche, more to taste
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard or 1 teaspoon brine from a jar of pickles, optional
2 or 3 pale green celery ribs, cut into medium (1/4-inch) dice
1/2 cup minced onion or finely sliced scallion, optional
1/2 cup walnut or pecan halves, broken into bite-size pieces
3 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon, parsley, or chives, plus extra for garnish
Salt and ground black pepper, to taste

Steps:

Choose a heavy pot or Dutch oven with a tightfitting lid. It should be large enough to hold the chicken snugly, but not much bigger. Fill pot about 2/3 full with cold water, but don't put the chicken in yet. Boil some extra water in a teakettle.
Add scallions and peppercorns to water, cover and bring to a rolling boil. Turn off heat and slip chicken pieces into the hot water. If needed, add boiling water from the kettle to cover chicken with water by 2 inches. Replace the lid and let chicken rest in the hot water for about 2 hours. Do not turn the flame back on: The pot will retain enough heat to cook chicken thoroughly and safely. (To test, cut into 1 piece of chicken and check the meat near the bone. If it is still pink, return the pot to low heat, bring the water to a simmer and simmer 10 minutes more.)
Lift chicken out of the pot. Remove and discard bones, skin and fat. Pat the meat dry with paper towels, then cut or shred into small bite-size pieces and transfer to a bowl. (Meanwhile, simmer cooking liquid until tasty, strain and refrigerate or freeze to use as chicken stock.)
In a bowl, whisk together juice of 1/2 lemon, mayonnaise and sour cream. If using, whisk in mustard or brine. Taste and adjust the seasonings and thickness to your liking. Pour over chicken, scraping the bowl clean with a rubber spatula.
Add celery, onion if using, nuts, herbs and salt and pepper. Toss gently but thoroughly. Refrigerate, covered, at least 4 hours. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Sprinkle with herbs before serving.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 1112, UnsaturatedFat 54 grams, Carbohydrate 5 grams, Fat 77 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 96 grams, SaturatedFat 18 grams, Sodium 1300 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram, TransFat 0 grams

CHINESE CHICKEN SALAD

Chinese Chicken Salad image

Here's a bright and flavorful way to use up leftover cold chicken that can be thrown together in about 20 minutes.

Provided by Julia Moskin

Categories dinner, lunch, weekday, salads and dressings

Time 20m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

Ingredients

1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon finely minced ginger
1/2 cup corn or peanut oil
1 teaspoon dark sesame oil
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
6 cups small lettuce leaves, like baby romaine, Boston or mesclun
4 cups leftover roasted chicken, torn into bite-size pieces
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
1 small jalapeño chili pepper, thinly sliced
1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 small yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/4 cup cilantro leaves, plus extra for garnish
1/3 cup toasted pine nuts

Steps:

Whisk sugar, vinegar, mustard and ginger together. Whisk in oils, and season to taste with salt, pepper and more sugar and vinegar if needed. Dressing should have a nice balance of sweet and tart.
In a large bowl toss lettuce with a few tablespoons of dressing until lightly dressed. Arrange around sides of a large serving bowl or platter.
Toss chicken, celery, peppers and cilantro in a bowl with dressing until well coated. Arrange in center of serving bowl, and sprinkle with pine nuts and cilantro.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 435, UnsaturatedFat 28 grams, Carbohydrate 5 grams, Fat 38 grams, Fiber 1 gram, Protein 19 grams, SaturatedFat 8 grams, Sodium 415 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram, TransFat 0 grams

CHINA MOON CHICKEN SALAD

China Moon Chicken Salad image

Make and share this China Moon Chicken Salad recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Mike 2

Categories < 30 Mins

Time 30m

Yield 2-4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

6 cups bagged salad greens
4 cups sliced napa cabbage
1/2 cup cilantro leaf, roughly chopped
1/3 cup asian salad dressing
1/2 cup snow peas, chopped
1/2 cucumber, sliced
1 Asian pear, sliced
1 teaspoon sesame seeds, toasted
1 cup fresh gourmet organic seasoned croutons
1/2 lb chicken breast, cooked and sliced