Refreshing Chicken Salad with Smoked Chicken
Chicken Salad Made with Leftover Smoked Chicken
I made a delicious chicken salad using leftover smoked chicken from dinner yesterday and some vegetables from the fridge. It’s a perfect dish to refresh your palate with its vibrant flavors!
Main Ingredients
- Smoked chicken or chicken breast, appropriate amount (leftovers are great!)
- Water dropwort (Mina-ri), 5 sprigs
- Onion, 1/2
- Bell pepper, 1/2 (use different colors for visual appeal)
- Cucumber, 1
Dressing
- Red crab soy sauce or regular soy sauce, 5 Tbsp
- Mustard paste (Yeon-gyeja), 1 Tbsp (adjust to taste)
- Sesame seeds, a pinch (for nutty aroma)
- Yuja (citron) syrup, 1 Tbsp (for a refreshing citrus note)
- Agave syrup or corn syrup, 2 Tbsp (adjust sweetness)
- Vinegar, 2 Tbsp (for a tangy kick)
- Red crab soy sauce or regular soy sauce, 5 Tbsp
- Mustard paste (Yeon-gyeja), 1 Tbsp (adjust to taste)
- Sesame seeds, a pinch (for nutty aroma)
- Yuja (citron) syrup, 1 Tbsp (for a refreshing citrus note)
- Agave syrup or corn syrup, 2 Tbsp (adjust sweetness)
- Vinegar, 2 Tbsp (for a tangy kick)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
If using leftover smoked chicken, tear or cut it into bite-sized pieces. For a more tender texture, you can briefly blanch it in hot water for about 1-2 minutes. Be careful not to overcook, as it can become tough.
Step 2
Wash the water dropwort thoroughly and cut into 5cm lengths. Thinly julienne the onion, bell pepper, and cucumber (remove seeds from cucumber). Slicing the vegetables finely makes the salad visually appealing and helps them integrate well with the dressing. For extra crispness, you can salt the cucumber slices, let them sit for a few minutes, then squeeze out the excess water.
Step 3
Drain the blanched smoked chicken completely. Excess water can dilute the dressing and affect the taste.
Step 4
Combine the prepared smoked chicken and julienned vegetables in a large bowl. Arranging them attractively is key! Using a variety of colorful vegetables will make your chicken salad even more appetizing.
Step 5
In a small bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients: red crab soy sauce (or soy sauce), mustard paste, sesame seeds, yuja syrup, agave syrup (or corn syrup), and vinegar. Stir well until the sauce is fully combined. Adjust the amount of mustard paste according to your preference for spiciness.
Step 6
Pour the prepared dressing evenly over the ingredients in the large bowl. Gently toss everything together using chopsticks or tongs, being careful not to mash the ingredients. Your refreshing chicken salad is ready to be enjoyed! Dig in and savor the delicious flavors!
