Crispy Wonton Chicken Salad Recipe
Introduction
This Crispy Wonton Chicken Salad combines tender, flavorful chicken with crunchy homemade wonton strips and fresh herbs. Dressed in a tangy sesame and peach dressing, it’s a refreshing meal perfect for warm days or light lunches.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons peach or apricot preserves
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt, to taste
- 8 ounces cooked chicken meat, torn into bite-size pieces (about 2 cups)
- 8 wonton wrappers
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- 2 romaine hearts, coarsely chopped
- 4 scallions, coarsely chopped
- 1 packed cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro leaves with tender stems
- 1 packed cup coarsely chopped fresh mint leaves
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, peach preserves, mayonnaise, soy sauce, chili powder, and onion powder. Season the dressing with salt to taste.
- Step 2: Add the torn chicken pieces to the dressing and toss gently until well coated.
- Step 3: Cut the wonton wrappers into 1/2-inch strips, then cut those strips in half crosswise to shorten them. Heat about an inch of vegetable oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat to 350°F (175°C), or until a wonton strip bubbles immediately when added.
- Step 4: Carefully add the wonton strips to the hot oil and fry, stirring constantly with a slotted spoon, until puffy and golden, about 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Transfer the crispy wontons to a paper towel-lined plate and season with salt.
- Step 5: Add the chopped romaine, scallions, cilantro, mint, and half of the fried wontons to the bowl with the dressed chicken. Toss gently to combine and season with salt as needed.
- Step 6: Top the salad with the remaining fried wontons and serve immediately.
Tips & Variations
- For an extra crunch, fry the wonton strips in small batches and do not overcrowd the pan.
- You can substitute cooked shredded rotisserie chicken if short on time.
- Try swapping mint with Thai basil for a different fresh flavor.
- Use gluten-free tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free option.
Storage
Keep leftover salad components separately if possible. Store the dressed chicken and greens in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep fried wonton strips in a sealed container at room temperature to maintain crispness and add just before serving. Reheat chicken gently if desired, but avoid reheating wontons to prevent sogginess.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make the wonton strips ahead of time?
Yes, you can fry wonton strips a day ahead and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. This keeps them crispy for next-day use.
What can I use instead of wonton wrappers?
If you don’t have wonton wrappers, thin store-bought egg roll wrappers or even homemade phyllo dough cut into strips can be fried similarly for a crunchy topping.
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Crispy Wonton Chicken Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
A refreshing and vibrant Crispy Wonton Chicken Salad featuring tender chicken, fresh herbs, and crisp romaine, tossed in a tangy, slightly sweet dressing, and topped with crunchy fried wonton strips for added texture. Perfect for a light lunch or dinner with a delightful mix of flavors and textures.
Ingredients
Dressing
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
- 2 tablespoons peach or apricot preserves
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt, to taste
Salad
- 8 ounces cooked chicken meat, torn into bite-size pieces (about 2 cups)
- 2 romaine hearts, coarsely chopped
- 4 scallions, coarsely chopped
- 1 packed cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro leaves with tender stems
- 1 packed cup coarsely chopped fresh mint leaves
Fried Wontons
- 8 wonton wrappers
- Vegetable oil, for frying
- Salt, to season
Instructions
- Make the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, peach or apricot preserves, mayonnaise, soy sauce, chili powder, and onion powder until smooth. Season the dressing with salt to taste and set aside.
- Prepare the salad: Add the torn chicken pieces to the bowl with the dressing and toss gently to coat the chicken evenly with the dressing flavors.
- Fry the wonton strips: Cut each wonton wrapper into 1/2-inch strips, then cut those strips in half crosswise to shorten them. In a medium saucepan, heat about an inch of vegetable oil over medium heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C) or until a wonton strip immediately bubbles upon being added. Carefully add the wonton strips in batches to the hot oil, stirring constantly with a slotted spoon to ensure even frying. Fry until the strips are puffy and golden brown, about 30 seconds to 2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil, then season with salt.
- Assemble the salad: To the bowl with the dressed chicken, add the chopped romaine, scallions, cilantro, mint, and half of the fried wonton strips. Toss everything together gently to combine. Season with additional salt if needed.
- Serve: Transfer the salad to serving plates or a large bowl, topping with the remaining fried wonton strips for extra crunch. Serve immediately to enjoy the crisp textures at their best.
Notes
- For best results, fry wonton strips in small batches to maintain oil temperature and crispiness.
- If peach or apricot preserves are not available, you can substitute with a similar fruit jam for the dressing’s sweetness.
- Make sure chicken is cooked and cooled before tossing with the dressing to maintain crisp fresher salad greens.
- Use freshly chopped herbs (cilantro and mint) for maximum flavor and brightness.
- The salad is best served immediately after assembly to prevent the wonton strips from getting soggy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian Fusion
Keywords: Crispy Wonton Chicken Salad, Asian salad, fried wontons, chicken salad, sesame dressing, fresh herbs salad
