Asian Pasta Chicken Salad

An easy, light salad perfect for dinner on a hot summer day. Loaded with crunch, chew and Asian seasonings, each bite is wonderfully satisfying!

Asian Pasta Chicken Salad

2 cups shredded Napa or Chinese Cabbage

1 1/2 cups baby spinach leaves

1 cup red cabbage, cut into strips

1 cup diced celery

1/2 red pepper, diced into 1'“ pieces

1/3 cup red onion, diced

3 green onions, whites and tops, sliced in 1/2 inch slices

3/4 cup small broccoli florets, steamed until tender, then cooled

1 1/2 - 2 cups shredded cooked or rotisserie chicken

6 ounces dried bowtie or rotini pasta, cooked until just tender, then cooled

12 wonton wrappers cut into strips and fried in 1/2 inch oil, until golden

1/3 cup coarsely chopped peanuts

-Clean and prepare vegetables (cabbage, spinach, celery, red pepper, red onion, green onions, broccoli) and mix in a large salad bowl. Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes.

-Meanwhile shred chicken, cook pasta, and fry wonton strips.

-Toss chicken and cooled pasta with salad. Pour on dressing and toss again.

-Garnish salad with wonton strips and peanuts.

-Serve immediately. Makes 8 servings as a main dish salad.

Asian Sesame Dressing:

2 tablespoons soy sauce

½ cup vegetable oil

3 tablespoons rice or red wine vinegar

1 tablespoon sesame oil

1 tablespoon fresh lime or lemon juice

1 clove garlic minced

3 tablespoons white sugar

1 tablespoon fresh ginger grated

1 teaspoon Sriracha or to taste

2 tablespoons water

1 teaspoon sesame seeds

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

-Combine all ingredients in a jar and shake well to combine. Chill for 1 hour in fridge.

Prepare vegetables then combine with chicken, pasta and dress with Asian Sesame dressing.

Garnish salad with fried wonton strips and peanuts for a whole mouthful of yum!