Asian-Inspired Sesame Almond Chicken Slaw

There’s a certain magic in discovering new culinary delights, especially when they stem from an unexpected source. For me, this often happens during my visits to the Honest Weight Food Coop in Albany. Their impressive array of prepared salads always captures my attention, serving as a constant source of inspiration for my home kitchen. It’s a delightful pastime, standing before that vibrant wall of fresh creations, pondering the flavors and textures within each one.

Some time ago, I found myself captivated by their cilantro-lime chickpeas, a simple yet profoundly flavorful dish that quickly became a staple in my repertoire. My culinary explorations at the Coop continued, leading me to uncover other gems like their vegan kale Caesar and a particularly aromatic Thai tofu salad. But most recently, a new obsession took hold: their “Sumi” salad. This irresistible creation, a harmonious blend of crisp cabbage, tender scallions, nutty sesame seeds, and crunchy almonds, quickly earned its place as a new favorite.

What makes the Sumi salad so captivating is its exquisite balance. It’s remarkably fresh and profoundly satisfying, delivering a predominantly sweet, rather than spicy, flavor profile. The dressing, a key component, is generously infused with the distinct richness of sesame oil, lending the salad an addictive depth that keeps you coming back for more. It embodies everything I seek in a healthy, flavorful meal – vibrant ingredients, intriguing textures, and a dressing that ties it all together beautifully.

Inspired to recreate this exceptional salad at home, I embarked on a journey to perfect my own version. After several attempts, I found the most successful approach by incorporating a technique I learned from The Slanted Door cookbook. This renowned culinary guide, celebrated for its authentic Vietnamese flavors, highlighted the critical importance of pre-salting the cabbage in their Vietnamese chicken salad recipe. This seemingly minor step proved to be a game-changer for my homemade Sumi salad, transforming it from good to truly extraordinary.

The method involves a brief pre-salting of the shredded cabbage, even for as little as 15 minutes. This simple yet effective process works wonders by softening the cabbage strands, allowing them to relax and release some of their natural moisture. This crucial step prevents the final salad from becoming watery and, more importantly, enables the cabbage to more effectively absorb the flavorful dressing. In my earlier attempts, when I had skipped this salting step, the cabbage remained stubbornly crunchy, making the salad surprisingly difficult to chew and enjoy. The texture was jarring, and the dressing struggled to penetrate the firm leaves. By embracing the pre-salting technique, the cabbage achieves a wonderfully tender yet still crisp texture, creating a much more pleasant and cohesive eating experience. This foundational step is arguably the most important secret to achieving the perfect chicken and cabbage salad.

While the Sumi salad is utterly delicious on its own, I wanted to elevate it into a more substantial, stand-alone meal. My solution was to incorporate the succulent, pulled meat of a whole poached chicken. Poaching chicken is a fantastic way to ensure the meat remains incredibly moist and tender, far superior to dry, overcooked alternatives. I adopted the poaching method also outlined in The Slanted Door: a gentle simmer for 15 minutes, followed by 15 minutes off the heat, covered, allowing the residual heat to finish cooking the chicken perfectly. This method consistently yields beautifully tender chicken, ideal for shredding into salads. As an added bonus, poaching a whole chicken provides a wonderful foundation for making homemade chicken stock with the carcass, a truly invaluable ingredient to have on hand, especially during colder months. This recipe, with the addition of chicken, yields a generous amount of salad, making it an excellent choice for meal prep. It keeps remarkably well in the refrigerator for several days, providing convenient and delicious lunches and dinners throughout the week.

For those who prefer a quicker or simpler approach than poaching a whole chicken, you can easily substitute boneless, skinless chicken pieces, such as two or three chicken breasts or thighs. To prepare these, simply bring a pot of salted water to a boil, add the chicken pieces, immediately turn off the heat, cover the pot tightly, and remove it from the stove. Let the chicken poach gently in the hot water for about 15 minutes, or until cooked through. Once done, remove the pieces, let them cool briefly, then shred or dice them for your salad. This adaptation allows for flexibility without compromising on flavor or texture. Moreover, if you decide to make homemade chicken stock, don’t discard the bones and poaching liquid from the initial step. Return the chicken carcass, bones, and any skin to the pot, add fresh water if needed to cover, and simmer for 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the broth develops a rich, savory flavor. This ensures nothing goes to waste and you gain a versatile ingredient for future cooking endeavors.

The beauty of this chicken and cabbage salad lies not just in its individual components, but in how they come together to create a symphony of flavors and textures. The crisp, pre-salted cabbage forms the perfect base, offering a refreshing crunch that perfectly complements the tender poached chicken. The nutty notes from the toasted almonds and sesame seeds add another layer of texture and a depth of flavor that is undeniably Asian-inspired. Finally, the thinly sliced scallions provide a mild, oniony bite, brightening the entire dish.

Crafting the perfect dressing is paramount for any salad, and this Citrus-Asian Dressing is no exception. It’s a masterful blend designed to enhance every ingredient. Starting with a neutral oil, such as canola or grapeseed, provides a smooth base without overpowering the other flavors. The addition of white balsamic vinegar introduces a delicate tang and a hint of sweetness, which is beautifully rounded out by fresh lemon juice, providing a vibrant, citrusy lift. However, the true star of the dressing is the sesame oil, whose deep, nutty aroma and flavor are central to the Sumi salad’s character. A touch of sugar is included to balance the acidity, creating a perfectly harmonious sweet and savory profile, while the remaining kosher salt ensures every element of the dressing is seasoned to perfection. This carefully balanced dressing penetrates the softened cabbage and coats every piece of chicken and nut, ensuring each bite is bursting with flavor.

When it comes to assembly, it’s a straightforward process that brings all these delightful elements together. In a generously sized bowl, combine the prepared cabbage, the succulent pulled chicken, the crunchy sliced almonds, the aromatic sesame seeds, and the fresh, thinly sliced scallions. Once all the solid ingredients are in place, pour the freshly whisked Citrus-Asian dressing over them. The key to a truly cohesive salad is a thorough toss. Use your hands or large salad tongs to gently but firmly mix everything together, ensuring that every single strand of cabbage, every piece of chicken, and every nut and seed is beautifully coated with the flavorful dressing. This ensures a consistent taste and texture throughout the entire salad.

Serving this chicken and cabbage salad offers a fantastic opportunity for presentation. While delicious served simply in a large communal bowl, individual servings can be garnished with a sprinkle of extra sesame seeds or a few fresh cilantro leaves for an added pop of color and flavor. This salad is versatile enough to be a light lunch on its own, a satisfying dinner paired with a side of rice or crusty bread, or even a vibrant side dish for a larger Asian-themed meal. Its robust flavors and textures make it incredibly adaptable to various dining occasions, and its ability to keep well in the fridge means you can enjoy its deliciousness over multiple meals, making healthy eating both convenient and enjoyable.

This Chicken and Cabbage Salad with Sesame Seeds, Scallions, and Almonds isn’t just a recipe; it’s a testament to the joy of culinary exploration and the satisfaction of recreating beloved dishes at home. It’s a vibrant, fresh, and deeply satisfying meal that offers both incredible flavor and practicality. We genuinely hope you try this recipe and enjoy it as much as we do. It’s a wonderful way to bring fresh, wholesome flavors to your table. Happy cooking, and Happy New Year to you all!

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