This Chinese Chopped salad is gluten free, protein packed and so nutritious! Starting with a base of chopped kale and red cabbage, layers of mandarin oranges, edamame and peanuts, scallions dressed with a homemade ginger-lime peanut dressing. Crispy, crunchy peanut crusted chicken tenders makes this a healthy and satisfying dinner or lunch for any occasion!
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Jump to RecipeSummer is coming!! Wishful thinking, I know. But I’m visualizing that the bright light of sunshine at the end of this grey winter tunnel and it is time to make the transition from comforting “hibernation cuisine” to a lighter and more body conscious dinners!
And where better to start than with a protein dense, vegetable laden Salad! Pretty soon we are going to toting our potluck contributions to those summer BBQs or looking for refreshing, cool dinners that pack well for picnics and outside dining and this Chinese Salad with Peanut- Crusted Chicken Tenders is going to be one of your go-to’s! Guaranteed! Plus, this healthy asian inspired salad is completely GLUTEN FREE!!
Watch Chinese Salad with Peanut-Crusted Chicken Tenders Video Here:
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EMBRACE THE PEANUT
If you aren’t already a complete peanut lovin’ addict, you may want to consider loading up on these nutrient-rich , superfood powerhouses. Just a small serving can provide your body with some pretty huge benefits!
Did you know?
Peanuts contain antioxidants, flavonoids, protein and fiber!
Multiple studies have found associations between nut consumption and reduced risk of cancer mortality! Peanuts contain nutrients and cancer-preventative qualities like unsaturated fats, bioactives and certain vitamins and minerals.
Peanuts are a Superfood for your Brain! Research shows that eating more peanuts can improve short-term memory, boost energy and alertness, increase blood flow to the brain, protect against cognitive decline and strengthen cognition.
Eating Peanuts can reduce the risk of common diseases such as: Heart Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, Type 2 Diabetes and High Cholesterol
Peanuts are a sustainable crop and require less water for production than any other nut! They also improve the soil they are grown on by adding nitrogen back into the soil- while most crops deplete the nitrogen levels in soil.
First Make the Peanut Crusted Chicken Tenders
Preheat oven to 350°F. These Crispy Peanut Crusted Chicken Tenders will be fried and then baked! Or you could use an air fryer!
Next, pulse peanuts in food processor til finely chopped. Combine in shallow mixing bowl with rice crumbs (got mine from Trader Joe’s) or Gluten Free panko breadcrumbs. This is what you are coating the chicken tenders with.
Continue to set up your breading station by whisking eggs and water in 2nd shallow mixing bowl and then adding gluten free peanut flour in 3rd mixing bowl.
As always, I recommend seasoning the chicken tenders first. I made a spice blend using: salt, pepper, paprika and ground ginger.
Now bread each chicken tender individually. Start with dredging in flour, followed by coating in egg wash and then breading with the peanuts. . Repeat with all of the chicken tenders.
Now it’s time to get crispy! Heat about 2 tbsp of peanut oil in non-stick fry pan over medium high heat. When oil is very hot (should hear sizzle when chicken is added) place chicken in skillet.
Cook the peanut crusted chicken for about 4 minutes on each side or until there is golden brown crust. Work through all the chicken tenders in same way. Placing crispy peanut crusted chicken tenders on baking sheet when finished.
Chicken tenders will finish by baking in oven for 10-12 minutes. Do this step as you assemble to salad and dressing so you can add the chicken while it’s still warm. After baking, slice peanut crusted tenders into strips and add to prepared salad OR serve alongside salad.
Assemble the Chinese Salad and Make Peanut Ginger-Lime Dressing
To make the dressing just combine in mixing bowl: creamy peanut butter, rice vinegar, lime juice and lime zest, coconut aminos, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, Sriracha and olive oil. Whisk until smooth and set aside.
Combine chopped kale, red cabbage, shelled edamame, carrots, scallions, and mandarin oranges in large salad bowl. Toss with about ½ of the dressing and toss to coat.
Just before serving top salad with sliced chicken tenders, chopped peanuts, and gluten free chow mein noodles. Top with additional dressing to each serving.
Chinese Salad with Peanut-Crusted Chicken Tenders {VIDEO}
Ingredients
Peanut Crusted Chicken Tenders
- 1⅕ lb chicken tenders
- 3 eggs whisked with 1/3 cup water
- 1 cup peanuts
- ½ cup Panko or Rice breadcrumbs (GF)
- ½ cup peanut flour (GF) or all purpose for non GF
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- peanut or canola oil for frying
Chinese Chopped Salad
- 4 cups kale stems removed and chopped
- 2 cups chopped red cabbage
- 1 cup shelled edamame thawed, if from frozen
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- ½ cup chopped scallions
- 1 cup Mandarin oranges drained
- 1 cup crispy chow mein noodles or dried ramen, or wonton strips. GF options available
- ¼ cup chopped peanuts
Peanut Ginger-Lime Dressing
- 3 tbsp creamy peanut butter
- 3 tbsp rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp lime juice, fresh whole lime
- ½ tsp lime zest
- 2 tbsp coconut aminos or tamari (GF) or soy sauce
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- ½ tsp minced fresh ginger
- 1 tbsp Sriracha
- ⅛ cup olive oil
Instructions
Peanut Crusted Chicken Tenders
- Preheat oven to 350°F
- Pulse peanuts in food processor to a fine chop. Remove from food processor and combine with rice or Panko breadcrumbs in shallow bowl.
- Continue to set up breading station by whisking eggs and water in 2nd shallow mixing bowl and then adding peanut flour in 3rd mixing bowl.
- Season chicken tenders with salt, pepper, paprika and ground ginger.
- Bread each chicken tender individually. Start with dredging in flour, followed by coating in egg wash and then breading with peanut mixture. Repeat with all of the chicken tenders.
- Heat about 2 tbsp of oil on non-stick fry pan over medium high heat. When oil is very hot, add about 4 chicken tenders at a time (depending on size of skillet). Cook about 4 minutes on each side or until there is golden brown crust. Work through all the chicken tenders in same way. Placing crispy peanut crusted chicken tenders on baking sheet when finished.
- Tenders will finish by baking in oven for 10-12 minutes. Do this step as you assemble to salad and dressing so you can add the chicken while it's still warm. After baking, slice peanut crusted tenders into strips and add to prepared salad OR serve alongside salad.
Chinese Chopped Salad and Peanut Ginger-Lime Dressing
- Combine and whisk together ALL ingredients for dressing in mixing bowl. Set aside.
- Combine chopped kale, red cabbage, shelled edamame, carrots, scallions, and mandarin oranges in large salad bowl. Toss with about ½ of the dressing and toss to coat.
- Just before serving top salad with sliced chicken tenders, chopped peanuts, and chow mein noodles. Top with additional dressing to each serving.
