Chinese Chicken Salad is a popular dish in the USA, but not typically eaten in China. Its origins are unclear, but it likely dates back to the 1930s and has evolved over time. Modern versions include a bed of lettuce, shredded chicken, and various toppings and dressings.
Chinese chicken salad is a popular lunch or dinner dish in the United States (USA), with a history dating back to the 1930s. Despite its name, Chinese Chicken Salad is not typically eaten in China and bears little resemblance to traditional Asian cuisine. Many believe this dish gets its name from the various Chinese-style seasonings used to add flavor to the salad, including ginger, soy, and sesame. In some parts of the United States, this dish may also be referred to as Mandarin, Asian, or Oriental Chicken Salad.
Food historians have several theories about the origins of Chinese chicken salad. In China, it is relatively rare for people to consume raw vegetables, such as those found in salads in the United States. Some believe that modern Chinese chicken salad is based on a dish known as ping pong chicken from the Szechuan region of China. This dish consists of cooked vegetables and chicken in a spicy peanut sauce, but shares little in common with American versions of this salad.
Although chef Wolfgang Puck is often credited with inventing this dish at his famous Chinois restaurant, many believe this recipe even dates back to the 1930s. Some cookbooks from this period include recipes for a deli-style Chinese chicken salad, with sauces or dressings based on mayonnaise or French dressing. In the 1960s and 1970s, several Californian restaurants developed their own version of the salad, which included a mustard vinaigrette dressing.
Modern Chinese chicken salad recipes often incorporate the ingredients made famous by Wolfgang Puck’s version of this dish. This includes a bed of romaine lettuce topped with shredded chicken, greens, almonds and crunchy fried noodles. The dressing is made from a blend of sesame and ginger rather than the traditional mustard or mayonnaise base. Some American fast food chains sell a similar version of this recipe.
Chinese chicken salad can also include salads with Chinese dressings. They consist of cooked chicken pieces combined with mayonnaise, almonds and soy sauce, ginger or sesame. This dish can be served on bread or crackers or placed on a single lettuce leaf for garnish.
Each restaurant that prepares this dish is based on a slightly different recipe, and many add their own unique ingredients based on regional preferences. Some use tangerine slices for a citrus kick, while others use peanut sauce or chopped peanuts. Tons of crunchy fried potatoes and bean sprouts can also be used to add crunchy salad to this salad.
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