Asian Chicken Salad

J.R. Holmsted

This recipe is straight out of the finest of culinary collections...my elementary school cookbook! All the moms would submit their favorite recipes (some of them must have burned off all their tastebuds) and then copies were sold as a fundraiser. My mom reworked this recipe for our tastes long ago, but in any case I'll hat tip Vickie Smith in Bakersfield, CA! Whoever you are and wherever you may be now!

The original name was "Chinese Chicken Salad." That seemed problematic after about 1990 so it was then referred to as "Oriental Chicken Salad." Some people think saying Oriental-anything isn't appropriate either and I don't know all the rules when it concerns the PC labels for foods, so we'll just go with Asian Chicken Salad! It's a little old school on some of the ingredients, but I promise it is easy and delicious!

Ingredients:
5-6 chicken breasts
1 head cabbage, shredded
4 tbsp diced almonds
2 pkg Top Ramen chicken flavor

---

​Dressing:
4 tbsp sugar
6tbsp red wine vinegar
3/4 cup oil (we use vegetable or canola oil)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp Accent

Directions:

• Cook chicken using your desired method. I can tell you that I have used baked, crock pot, grilled, and smoked and they are all great. I have even sauteed pre-cut cubes and used them! Just make sure you have bite sized pieces. We have also found we prefer diced to shredded chicken, but that's just a personal choice. Do what you like!
• Break apart Ramen and crumble onto the cabbage. Shake the flavor packet over the top.

​​

• Mix dressing separately and pour over top. 
• Add chicken and almonds and mix well!

​And that's it! Easy peasy. Serve immediately or chill if preferred. I particularly love this the day after, as the ingredients have really soaked up all the dressing.

Don't be deterred if you don't think you like cabbage! I honestly didn't think I liked it either if it wasn't wrapped in a crispy fried egg roll. For years my mom didn't tell us it was cabbage! She let us assume it was crisp lettuce because that's what it tastes like. Moms can be so sneaky! 

Hope y'all are having a great summer, enjoy!

*TIP* Splurge for smoked almonds for extra yumminess!