(Click on the photo above for a detailed shot-by-shot food styling and photography analysis, illustrating the creative process and techniques used to achieve this captivating “money shot” for culinary presentations.)

Contents

The Beloved Chinese Chicken Salad: A Culinary Journey from America

Often celebrated as a quintessential dish in Chinese-American restaurants across the United States, the Chinese Chicken Salad holds a unique place in the culinary landscape. Interestingly, this particular salad is not a traditional offering you would typically find on menus in mainland China. As the esteemed author and restaurateur Cecilia Chiang recounts in her insightful memoir,
The Seventh Daughter: My Culinary Journey from Beijing to San Francisco, lettuce was historically a rare and imported commodity in China, with the concept of “salads” more commonly referring to various pickled items. Despite its American origins, the Chinese Chicken Salad has firmly established itself as a cherished dish, beloved for its vibrant flavors, refreshing crispness, and wonderfully balanced dressing. My personal devotion to this salad stems from its perfect combination of a tantalizingly tangy and sweet sauce, beautifully complemented by an abundance of irresistibly crunchy fried wonton strips.

While the dish itself is a favorite, it’s worth taking a moment to consider the terminology we use to describe it. In an era where linguistic precision and cultural sensitivity are increasingly valued, it feels appropriate to update certain antiquated terms. For instance, the “Oriental Chicken Salad” found on some chain restaurant menus, like Applebee’s, could certainly benefit from a more modern and respectful renaming. Alternatives such as “Asian Chicken Salad” or simply “Chinese Chicken Salad” are not only more accurate but also align better with contemporary sensibilities. The term “Oriental” carries historical connotations that are widely considered outdated and, at times, inappropriate when referring to people, cultures, or cuisine from Asia, often evoking a bygone era rather than the present. Embracing more inclusive and current language helps foster a more welcoming and understanding culinary environment for everyone.

Below, you’ll find the comprehensive recipe to guide you in crafting your own exquisite homemade Chinese Chicken Salad. Prepare to embark on a delightful culinary adventure right in your kitchen!

Elevating Your Visuals: Essential Food Styling and Photography Tips

Responding to popular demand, I am delighted to continue sharing my detailed, shot-by-shot analyses of the food photography process. This journey often involves several experimental attempts and revisions before ultimately capturing that singular, compelling image – what I affectionately refer to as the “money shot.” In these deep dives, I reveal my complete photo setup, which, for the majority of the year (outside of the deep winter months), relies extensively on the inherent beauty and flattering qualities of natural light. Natural light provides an unparalleled softness, rich dimensionality, and authentic color rendition that makes food truly pop and appear incredibly appetizing. However, as the challenging winter months arrive, bringing with them dreary skies and limited natural illumination, I gracefully transition to using my reliable
Lowel EGO lights. These professional-grade lights are exceptional at providing consistent, high-quality illumination that beautifully mimics the nuances of natural light, ensuring my food photos remain vibrant and appealing year-round.

For aspiring food photographers and bloggers eager to refine their craft, I highly recommend exploring Vegan Yum Yum’s fabulous and insightful write-up on food photography for bloggers. It stands as an invaluable resource, brimming with practical advice, creative insights, and actionable tips that can genuinely transform your culinary visuals. The mastery of food photography is paramount for any food blogger or enthusiast striving to captivate their audience and present their delectable creations in the most enticing light possible. A solid understanding of composition, meticulous styling, and effective lighting principles can be the decisive factor, distinguishing a casual snapshot from a professional, mouth-watering image that tells a compelling story.

To further immerse yourself in the art and science of capturing delicious dishes, I invite you to explore my extensive category specifically curated for “Food Photography/Blog Tips.” Here, you will uncover a wealth of information, ranging from fundamental setup guidelines for beginners to advanced techniques for seasoned photographers, empowering you to master the crucial visual storytelling aspect of your culinary adventures.

Experience the Revitalized Steamy Kitchen: Cleaner, Brighter, Faster

I am absolutely thrilled to unveil the refreshed look and enhanced functionality of Steamy Kitchen! Our team has been diligently working behind the scenes to bring you a website that is not only cleaner and brighter but also significantly faster and more responsive. This comprehensive redesign is an ongoing labor of love, but I genuinely believe this lighter, more intuitive design perfectly reflects my personality and reinforces my unwavering commitment to providing you with a seamless and enjoyable user experience. Our primary objective was to significantly enhance readability, streamline navigation, and ensure that every visit to Steamy Kitchen is as delightful and efficient as possible, allowing you to focus on what matters most: delicious recipes and inspiring culinary content.

One of the most exciting and highly anticipated new features introduced with this redesign is our integrated print functionality! I deeply understand the importance of having a tangible, physical copy of your most cherished recipes, especially one that is free from any digital clutter. Now, whenever you wish to print a recipe, you will conveniently find a discreet print icon nestled right next to each post’s header text. A simple click on this icon will magically generate a beautifully formatted, ad-free, and sidebar-less version of the recipe, meticulously optimized for flawless printing. Say goodbye to wasted ink and cluttered pages; you’ll receive just your recipe, presented cleanly and crisply, ready to be added to your personal kitchen binder or cookbook. This thoughtful functionality truly underscores our dedication to making your cooking journey as effortless and enjoyable as humanly possible.

Crafting the Ultimate Easy Chinese Chicken Salad: A Weeknight Wonder

This Chinese Chicken Salad recipe is meticulously designed to deliver maximum flavor with remarkably minimal effort, making it an impeccable choice for a quick, light, and satisfying weeknight meal. The secret to its efficiency and convenience lies in embracing intelligent shortcuts without ever compromising on the integrity of its exquisite taste. Utilizing store-bought roasted chicken, such as a readily available rotisserie chicken from your local supermarket, drastically reduces preparation time. Simply shred the tender breast meat for your vibrant salad, and cleverly repurpose the succulent remaining chicken for alternative culinary creations – imagine crafting delectable paninis the very next day! Furthermore, never allow those flavorful chicken bones to go to waste; they are an invaluable resource for culinary enhancement. I enthusiastically advocate for simmering them with fresh water, crisp carrots, and aromatic celery to create a deeply flavorful and nourishing broth, perfect for enriching future soups or stocks. It’s a brilliant strategy to maximize every ingredient and minimize food waste, embodying smart and sustainable cooking practices.

For that essential textural contrast and signature crunch, you can easily opt for pre-fried crispy chow mein noodles, which are conveniently available in bags or canisters within the Asian section of most well-stocked supermarkets. These provide an instant, delightful crunch that is an integral characteristic of an exceptional Chinese Chicken Salad. For an additional layer of nuanced flavor and satisfying crispness, consider generously tossing in a handful of perfectly toasted almonds, or perhaps some rich cashews, adding another dimension to this already multifaceted salad.

The distinctive dressing for this Chinese Chicken Salad is a universally adored staple in my household, particularly for my discerning husband. It represents a meticulously crafted copycat rendition of Applebee’s widely celebrated “Oriental Chicken Salad” dressing, expertly striking that harmonious balance between an invigorating tanginess and a subtle sweetness. This homemade dressing truly acts as the unifying element, elevating the entire salad by seamlessly bringing all its diverse components together with its utterly irresistible zest and captivating flavor profile.

Homemade Chinese Chicken Salad Recipe

Yields: 4-6 generous servings

Ingredients:

15 wonton skins, thinly cut into strips (For a convenient alternative, use 1 cup of pre-fried crispy chow mein noodles)
Approximately 1-2 inches of high-heat oil for frying (e.g., vegetable, canola, or peanut oil)
1 head of fresh lettuce (iceberg or romaine are excellent choices), thoroughly washed and shredded or torn into bite-sized pieces
2 fully cooked chicken breasts, meat expertly shredded by hand for optimal texture or thinly sliced
1 medium cucumber, peeled (optional) and thinly sliced into elegant half-moons or finely julienned
A generous handful (about 1 cup) of fresh snow peas, stringed and sliced diagonally for visual appeal
1 (11-ounce) can mandarin oranges, thoroughly drained to remove excess syrup
Optional additions for extra crunch and flavor: 1/2 cup toasted sliced almonds or cashews

For the Tangy & Sweet Dressing:

(A delicious homemade version, inspired by a classic restaurant favorite)

Yields: Approximately 1 scant cup (Use about half for the salad and store the remainder in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days)

6 tablespoons honey (can substitute with agave nectar for a vegan option)
1/2 cup high-quality mayonnaise (vegan mayonnaise can be used for a plant-based alternative)
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil (essential for that authentic Asian aroma)
3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar (unseasoned is typically preferred for its mild acidity)

Instructions:

1. Craft the Perfect Salad Dressing:

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the honey, mayonnaise, and Dijon mustard. Whisk these ingredients vigorously until the mixture is exceptionally smooth, creamy, and thoroughly emulsified. This ensures a consistent base. Gradually, while continuing to whisk, incorporate the toasted sesame oil and rice wine vinegar until the dressing is uniformly blended and possesses a luscious, creamy texture. Taste the dressing and adjust the sweetness or tanginess to your personal preference.

2. Prepare the Crispy Wonton Strips (if frying):

Heat approximately 1 inch of your chosen high-heat oil in a deep skillet or a sturdy pot until it reaches 375°F (190°C). If you don’t possess a kitchen thermometer, you can test the oil’s readiness by gently sliding a single wonton strip into it; the strip should immediately begin to sizzle actively and transform into a light golden-brown hue within about 30 seconds. Fry the wonton strips in small, manageable batches to prevent overcrowding the pan, which can lower the oil temperature and result in soggy wontons. Each batch should typically take between 30 seconds to 1 minute to achieve a beautiful golden color and a satisfying crispness. Using a pair of tongs or a slotted spoon, carefully remove the fried wontons and transfer them to a wire rack set over layers of paper towels. This crucial step allows excess oil to drain away, ensuring maximum crispiness.

3. Assemble Your Exquisite Chinese Chicken Salad:

In an generously sized serving bowl, delicately combine the shredded lettuce, the tender cooked chicken, the thinly sliced cucumber, the crisp snow peas, and the thoroughly drained mandarin oranges. Drizzle a substantial amount of the freshly prepared tangy-sweet dressing over all the ingredients. Gently toss the salad to ensure that all components are lightly and evenly coated with the dressing. Just before serving, generously sprinkle the crunchy wonton strips over the top to preserve their delightful crispness. Serve immediately and savor every vibrant bite!

Pro Tip: Achieving Perfectly Poached Chicken Breasts for Salads:

If you’re starting with raw chicken breasts, poaching is an exceptional method for consistently achieving incredibly tender, moist, and flavorful results – ideal for transforming into shredded chicken for salads. Here’s a foolproof guide:

Place the raw chicken breasts in a medium-sized pot in a single layer.
Pour in enough cold water or high-quality chicken broth to ensure the chicken breasts are submerged by approximately 1 inch.
Add 1 teaspoon of kosher salt or sea salt to the liquid. For an added layer of subtle flavor, consider incorporating aromatics such as a bay leaf, a few black peppercorns, or a thin slice of onion.
Bring the pot’s contents to a vigorous rolling boil over high heat.
As soon as it reaches a rolling boil, immediately reduce the heat to the absolute lowest setting, allowing the liquid to maintain a barely perceptible simmer.
Cover the pot tightly with a lid and promptly remove it entirely from the heat source.
Allow the chicken breasts to sit undisturbed in the hot liquid for precisely 20 minutes. It is crucial not to lift the lid during this period, as the trapped heat gently cooks the chicken to perfection.
After 20 minutes, carefully remove the perfectly poached chicken breasts from the liquid. They will be beautifully cooked through, exceptionally tender, and wonderfully juicy.
Remember to save the flavorful poaching liquid! It serves as an excellent base for future soups, stews, or for cooking grains such as rice or quinoa, maximizing its utility.

A Dash of Whimsy: My Memorable Encounter with Food Network’s Dave Lieberman

It was a moment that perfectly blended my culinary passions with a delightful touch of unexpected humor. The much-anticipated winner of our cookbook giveaway, featuring a coveted copy of Dave Lieberman’s Dave’s Dinners, personally signed by the author, goes to none other than Lynn, famously known as Half Asian! A massive congratulations, Lynn! Part of the joyous fun of this particular contest was inviting all of you to unleash your creativity and guess my unconventional “pickup line” when I first had the distinct pleasure of meeting the charismatic Food Network personality, Dave Lieberman. Your imaginative and often hilarious guesses were truly entertaining, bringing so much laughter and enjoyment, even though they played no role in the final selection of the winner – it was purely for the sheer shits and giggles!

Lynn’s specific guess was particularly amusing and clever:

“I don’t have to show my husband the film…”

A truly witty suggestion! While that wasn’t quite my opening gambit on that memorable occasion, Lynn was indeed chosen as our lucky random winner by the highly impartial Psychic Science random number generator. Lynn, please reach out to me via email at [email protected] with your complete mailing address to claim your exciting prize!

So, What Was My Unforgettable Pickup Line to Dave Lieberman?

And now, for the grand revelation… My very first words, uttered in a moment of pure, unadulterated enthusiasm upon meeting Dave Lieberman, were:

“Ohmygod. I have lens envy!”

Yes, you read that absolutely correctly. In that precise moment, my inner photography dork completely took over. Clearly, his camera lens was impressively substantial, a sight to behold for any photography enthusiast. Dave, demonstrating his remarkably sweet and gracious nature, immediately extended a generous offer for me to try out his magnificent lens. However, upon a closer and more practical inspection, we regrettably discovered that his “big lens” simply wasn’t a compatible fit for my camera body. It was a classic, albeit slightly comical, case of mistaken compatibility – we gave it our best shot, but alas, it just wasn’t meant to be a perfect photographic pairing. A minor moment of photographic heartbreak, perhaps, but undeniably a truly memorable and humorous encounter! My camera is quite capable of handling various large lenses, but specifically, Dave’s lens, designed for his Canon Rebel XT, was not compatible with my Canon 40D.