Chinese lemon chicken salad

Chinese chicken salad that's healthy, high-protein, and perfect for lunch, meal prep, or a quick family dinner.

5 from 5 votes

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Course: Salad

Cuisine: asian, Chinese

Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free, Low Calorie

Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 15

Servings:

Calories: 814kcal

Author: Lei

Boiling the chicken: Start by filling a pot with enough water to cover the chicken by about 2cm. Place the pot over medium-high heat and boil the chicken for about 10-15 minutes. To check if the chicken is done, take a chopstick or fork and poke it into the thigh. If the juices run clear, you've got perfectly cooked chicken.
Frying garlic: As the chicken boils away, grab a small saucepan and fry the chopped garlic in oil until it turns golden.
Mixing the sauce: Combine fried garlic and oil from Step 2, lemon juice, soy sauce, sugar, and chilli in a small bowl. Give it a good stir until everything’s beautifully blended.
Preparing the chicken: Dive those boiled chicken pieces into ice water for 5-10 minutes to lock in their juiciness. Then, shred the chicken into pieces.
Mixing it up: Throw in the lemon pieces, fresh coriander, shredded chicken, and sauce into the bowl. Now, give them all a jolly good mix. Let the flavors mingle and dance together. Your Chinese Chicken Salad with Lemon and Coriander is ready to dazzle your taste buds.

- Chicken: Chicken legs or thighs work best for this recipe, offering tender juiciness due to their fat and meat content. Feel free to remove the skin if desired, or use boneless chicken thighs as an alternative.

- Lemon: Lemon brings that tangy kick and freshness to the recipe, but if you prefer, Chinese black vinegar or balsamic vinegar can be excellent alternatives.

- Fried Garlic: Freshly fried garlic is like a flavor bomb. It's super fragrant and makes the oil so tasty. Forget those store-bought versions that fall flat; making your own is a piece of cake, and it stays fresh in the fridge for ages. You can add it to just about anything. From stir-fries to soups and sauces.

- Chilli: Chili is totally optional because not everyone can handle the heat. But some chilli varieties aren't super spicy, they just add vibrant colour to your dish. Plus, they're a great source of vitamin C.

- If you have steam equipment available, you can steam the chicken for 15 minutes to keep it juicy and flavorful, much better than boiling.

- When shredding the chicken, consider wearing gloves to avoid greasy hands. The shredded chicken absorbs the sauce more effectively. alternatively, Feel free to cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces for a different texture.

- Since this is a cold dish, you can prepare the chicken ahead of time and keep it ready. When it's time to serve, simply mix in the sauce, and you're good to go.

- The amount of garlic and garlic oil you add is entirely up to your taste preference. As for me, I absolutely love loading up on lots of them. Begin with one tablespoon and go ahead and add more to your liking.