Asian Whole Grain Salad
Easy and healthy Asian whole grain salad with chicken, veggies and an orange sesame vinaigrette dressing. I like to make cooking as easy as possible, especially in the summer. This recipe uses pre-cooked quinoa, brown and red rice mixture that you microwave in the package and it is delicious. I also use rotisierrie chicken but you can make your own if you prefer. In Las Vegas I like to make things that don’t require heating up the oven. All you need to do is microwave packaged rice, shred the chicken and prepare the shredded carrot, bok choy, green onions and cilantro, make the dressing and mix ingredients together. This is a great lunch or can be made as a side dish salad.
Ingredients for Asian Whole Grain Salad:
Salad Mixture:
- 1 8.5 oz package whole grain pre-cooked microwaveable grain mix (I used Seeds of Change quinoa, brown and red rice mix).
- 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken (may use white and dark meat)
- 1/2 cup carrot, grated
- 1 baby bok choy, sliced thin
- 1/4 cup frozen peas, thawed and uncooked
- 1 large green onion, sliced
- 2 tbsp cilantro, chopped
- 1/2-1 tsp sesame seeds
Salad Dressing:
- 2 tbsp fresh squeezed orange juice
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 tbsp seasoned rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp avocado oil or other neutral oil
- 1 tbsp honey (I used hot honey and it was delicious)
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, optional
- Salt and pepper, to taste
How to make Asian Whole Grain Salad:
- Microwave the grain mixture (about 90 seconds) and let it cool.
- Shred the chicken and prepare the vegetables.
- Combine the cooled grain mixture, chicken, carrot, bok choy, peas, green onion, cilantro and sesame seeds in a salad bowl. Toss together.
- Mix the dressing ingredients in a small bowl or measuring cup. Whisk together until mixture is smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss together.
- You can serve immediately or store in the refrigerator in a covered container.
Optional Add-in ingredients:
- Edamame, cucumber, shallots, red pepper, thinly sliced snow peas, mandarin orange slices, or peanuts would be great in this salad.
- Fresh ginger could also be added to the vinaigrette if you like more ginger flavor.
Storage of salad:
- Salad can be kept in a covered container in the refrigerator for 1-2 days but is best served the same day.
Other salad recipes to make:
- Greek Chicken Salad
- Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
- Citrus Fennel Arugula Salad
- Greek Cheese Tortellini Salad
- Oriental Ramen Noodle Salad
Asian Whole Grain Salad
Easy and healthy Asian whole grain salad with chicken, veggies and an orange sesame vinaigrette dressing
Ingredients
Salad ingredients:
- 1 8.5 oz package whole grain pre-cooked microwaveable grain mix (I used Seeds of Change quinoa, brown and red rice mix)
- 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken (may use white and dark meat)
- 1/2 cup carrot, grated
- 1 baby bok choy, sliced thin
- 1/4 cup frozen peas, thawed and uncooked
- 1 large green onion, sliced
- 2 tbsp cilantro, chopped
- 1/2-1 tsp sesame seeds
Dressing ingredients:
- 2 tbsp fresh squeezed orange juice
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp avocado oil or other neutral oil
- 1 tbsp honey (I used hot honey and it was delicious)
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (may use less depending on desired heat level), optional
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Microwave the grain mixture (about 90 seconds) and let it cool.
- Shred the chicken and prepare the vegetables.
- Combine the cooled grain mixture, chicken, carrot, bok choy, peas, green onion, cilantro and sesame seeds in a salad bowl. Toss together.
- Mix the dressing ingredients in a small bowl or measuring cup. Whisk together until mixture is smooth.
- Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss together.
- Edamame, cucumber, shallots, red pepper, thinly sliced snow peas, mandarin orange slices, or peanuts would be great in this salad. Fresh ginger could also be added to the vinaigrette if you like more ginger flavor.
- You can serve immediately or store in the refrigerator in a covered container.