Asparagus and Chicken Salad With Ginger Dressing

Name: Asparagus and Chicken Salad With Ginger Dressing
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 large shallot, finely diced, about 2 tablespoons; 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar; 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; Salt to taste; Generous pinch of cayenne; 1 tablespoon grated ginger; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 2 teaspoons sesame oil; 1/4 cup vegetable oil; 1 pound asparagus; Salt and pepper; 1 serrano chile, thinly sliced (optional); 1/2 cup roasted peanuts, crushed; 3/4 pound smoked chicken, sliced; 1 large lime, halved; Basil, mint and cilantro leaves, about 1/2 cup total

By David Tanis

Total Time: 30 minutes
Rating: 5(730)
Comments: Read comments

Asparagus takes easily to many kinds of seasonings, so after you’ve tired of having it plain with butter or homemade mayonnaise, try this spicy dressing laced with ginger and chiles. Adding smoked chicken is a nice way to make a more substantial first course or light lunch. You can purchase smoked chicken at better butcher shops or online, but equally good is grilled chicken at room temperature, or cold poached chicken. I sometimes substitute lightly smoked ham or smoked slab bacon, simmered until tender.

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Ingredients

Yield:4 servings

For the Vinaigrette

1large shallot, finely diced, about 2 tablespoons
3tablespoons rice wine vinegar
2tablespoons dark brown sugar
1tablespoon Dijon mustard
Salt to taste
Generous pinch of cayenne
1tablespoon grated ginger
2garlic cloves, minced
2teaspoons sesame oil
¼cup vegetable oil

For the Salad

1pound asparagus
Salt and pepper
1serrano chile, thinly sliced (optional)
½cup roasted peanuts, crushed
¾pound smoked chicken, sliced
1large lime, halved
Basil, mint and cilantro leaves, about ½ cup total

Ingredient Substitution Guide

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Preparation

Step 1
To make the vinaigrette, put shallots in a small bowl. Add vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt and cayenne and let steep for 5 minutes. Add ginger and garlic, then whisk in sesame oil and vegetable oil. Taste and adjust seasoning.
Step 2
Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Snap off the tough end of each asparagus spear, then cut each spear into 2-inch lengths. Cut thicker pieces in half lengthwise as necessary so all cut pieces are approximately the same size. Place asparagus pieces into boiling water and cook for 1 minute. Drain and cool under running water. Blot dry.
Step 3
To make the salad, put asparagus in a salad bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Add chile, if using, and crushed peanuts. Dress with half the vinaigrette and toss to coat.
Step 4
Arrange dressed asparagus on a platter or on individual plates. Tear chicken slices into strips and scatter over asparagus. Drizzle a little more vinaigrette over the salad and give it a good squeeze of lime. Garnish with basil, mint and cilantro leaves and serve immediately.

Ratings

5 out of 5

730 user ratings

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Comments

Keiko7 years ago

This was a fresh take on asparagus which I get tired of cooking the same few ways for a few weeks that's the only fresh spring produce available. I piled that on top of rice vermicelli noodles to make it into a lunch fare.

Brianna7 years ago

It's January, and because I was not about to pay twice as much for asparagus that isn't even half as good as in-season, I made this with broccolini. Honestly, I think I would eat a shoe if it was served with this dressing. So good, I almost forgot I was on a diet. Made as directed, I didn't find the dressing too oily or sweet - it was balanced nicely by the serrano.

tundra7 years ago

Very good, am planning on using the leftover dressing tonight for another salad. I used honey instead of brown sugar and only half the amount.

Susan2 months ago

Just made this, used half the amount of chicken and asparagus but the full amount of the rest. Had very thin asparagus so just marinated it raw in the dressing. Made air fryer chicken tenders and when still warm, marinated as well. This was the BEST ny times recipe I have made in decades. Amazing complex deliciousness.

YB4 months ago

I threw some chicken thighs in the air fryer and added spinach leaves, tomatoes and avocado to the recipe and switched the peanuts for cashews. Delicious. The dressing was delicious.

Marina11 months ago

Delicious! I poached the chicken, and my family laughed I was making boiled meat with salad. But it 100% worked since the other flavors are so amazing together. My daughter even asked for the recipe.

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