Summer’s so fun, filled with picnics, potlucks and barbecues. It’s already August and I can’t even believe it. I mean, where has the summer gone? Seriously. I say this every year about this time, but it seems to get a a little worse each year. Must be that age thing kicking in. (Ouch.) It’s been a busier than usual summer around here for sure. Jon and the boys were off in Romania on a missions trip in July. And then there was that college visiting trip in June. (Do I actually have a child that’s nearly college age?) Had a couple short girls’ trips away, loved every minute. And that family week at the Cape? Heaven.
So while this New England girl embraces fall with all her heart, she also has trouble saying au revoir to summer. So I’m going to enjoy every minute left, experience it to the fullest. Because I’ll need all those warm, fuzzy memories to fall back on when the thermometer’s subzero and the car’s sitting under a foot of snow in the driveway. In like three months. Yeah. But hey, let’s not go there prematurely. Still plenty o’ summer left in New England. School hasn’t started around here yet, and I haven’t heard the first complaint from my crew…
I love a good main dish salad recipe that’s flavorful and healthy during summertime. And it’s gotta be colorful too.
Just look at the fabulous color and flavor mix in this Oriental Chicken Salad!
This salad is perfect for summer get-togethers, would be a great addition to your Labor Day picnic table. I often make Oriental Chicken Salad as a main dish and let others fill in with sides and desserts. It’s colorful, flavorful and healthy, serves many and everyone seems to love it. That makes it a winner in my book.
The sesame oil in the dressing gives a decidedly oriental flavor. And if you’re just a little adventurous like me…use the sesame hot oil instead of the traditional. It packs a little heat. (I like it with one tablespoon of the hot oil, but you may like more….) This Oriental Chicken Salad tastes great the day of, but actually improves with age. My one big tip is to add the blanched pea pods just before serving as they lose their brilliant green color over time. I also used a rotisserie chicken. It saved tons of time and tasted great!
Oriental Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups wild rice mix cooked according to package directions and cooled
- 1 small red pepper chopped
- 1 can water chestnuts sliced and drained
- 4 scallions sliced
- 3 celery stalks sliced
- 2/3 cup sliced almonds
- 1 1/2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 cup snow pea pods
- 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon sugar OR 1 1/2 teaspoons agave nectar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil OR 1 tablespoon sesame hot oil
Instructions
- Blanche pea pods by dropping in boiling water for 30 seconds, then quickly place in an ice water bath.
- Mix all ingredients together in a large serving bowl.
- Let marinate for several hours.
- Serve cold.
Notes
Oriental Chicken Salad
Another delicious main dish salad : Chicken Artichoke Pasta Salad w/Sun-dried Tomatoes
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom says
This salad is perfect for get togethers or just for the week for lunches. I love everything about it!!
nancy mcmahan says
There is not one thing in that salad I don’t like. Salads are one of my favorite things to eat. Thanks Allie
Tracy says
Oh Allie! This salad looks fantastic! You have done a wonderful job capturing the gorgeous colors of this salad in your beautiful photos. What a great salad to wow a crowd! The presentation is really something! I am going to make it this weekend. Thanks for all of your great ideas!
Allie says
Well I’m so glad you spied this recipe in Hanover’s paper years ago Tracy! It’s an awesome recipe and thanks so much for sharing it with me! I just love the wild rice and it goes a long way, stretches to feed a lot. The sesame oil really makes this dish a standout!
Carina says
I am so on the same page, Allie – I will embrace fall when the time comes, but I am not ready to say goodbye to summer and will enjoy every moment that we have left. August does sneak up faster every year, doesn’t it? Yikes! Beautiful salad! Xo
Aunt Pinkie says
Boy, does that ever look fabulous! Never heard of hot sesame oil but shall look for it! Thanks, Allie-can’t wait to make it!
Bresca says
Sesame oil has great flavor. My sister-in-law told me that they’re so crazy about the flavor that they’ve started popping their popcorn with sesame oil! I didn’t know about the “hot sesame oil” though — I will have to try some and pass it on. I also love the idea of making a great homemade dish using the rotisserie chicken. There’s never enough time to do everything, but that might just make it do-able! Thanks!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
I love Oriental Chicken Salad, and yours looks DELICIOUS! Love all the vibrant colors and beautiful veggies you jam packed into this salad! This looks seriously yummy! Totally craving this for lunch today! Thanks for sharing the yum! Cheers!
Catherine says
Dear Allie, while I look forward to fall, hoping the change in season brings some peace to my family, I do miss summer already. Mostly because I wish I had gotten outside more. This is a wonderful end of season meal. It looks beautiful and sounds delicious. Enjoy the rest of your summer dear. xo, Catherine
Denise G. says
Oh my word, is this good! The flavors and textures are amazing. I did not have the hot sesame oil but I will buy it for next time. I did cut back a little bit on the dressing and had some fresh red grapes on my counter that I sliced in half and tossed into my plate just before eating which added a little sweetness to the otherwise tangy flavors. Yum! Very satisfying.
Allie says
Dear Denise, I’m so glad you liked it! The grapes are a fun addition. I could totally see cutting down on the dressing. When I made it, the leftover salad absorbed the extra dressing over the next few days…it just got better with age. So so glad you enjoyed it!
Sharon @ What The Fork Food Blog says
UGH.. I feel the same way about summer this year. Where has it GONE? My husband is a teacher and has been home since the end of June. I can’t believe he goes back next week. BOO. Also, this salad looks so delicious!
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Wow! This oriental chicken salad looks fabulous, Allie! So vibrant and delish colors.! A perfect meal for week lunches. I love everything about it!! Loving this gorgeous share, Allie! Happy Weekend! 🙂
Sarah says
Hi Allie! I am so with you – where has the summer gone? I feel like it was just April and now we’re heading to the end of August! On to the salad…this sounds like such a great late summer salad to brighten things up a bit. Anything with soy sauce has to be amazing. I’ve never tried sesame hot oil before, but now I’m on a hunt to find some because that sounds to die for!
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Looks like my daughter is a year younger than your son and I am so so not looking forward to next year! I am gonna be a basket case! I am gonna need pointers on how to NOT shed a tear or tenmillion! GAH!
Like you, Allie, I have a hard time “saying au revoir to summer”, but food can help me – especially when it’s quick and easy salad like this! Yes – I would love the hot sesame oil too!!! Deeelicious!
Hope you and your family have a wonderful weekend!
Linda @ Food Huntress says
I also can’t believe it’s almost Sept. The summer has flown by. I love all the flavors in this salad. It seems so fresh and delicious!
Susie Mandel says
Oh, yummm. 🙂
Karen @ The Food Charlatan says
I love me a main dish summer salads! Especially when they have an Asian twist. I do love summer but this CA drought is getting to me–I’m ready for fall!
Jennifer @NourishedSimply says
Allie, a perfect one dish meal. I love this!
Barbara Child says
Such a beautiful salad! I’m thinking I could easily adapt this for my vegan family members by substituting bean sprouts or some other item for the chicken! Thanks so much for such scrumptious recipes!