That big bowl of flavor and crunch up there is my dinner at least once a week. Fast, fresh and figure-friendly, my mom’s recipe for Chinese Chicken Salad has become my go-to alternative to Manhattan’s bevy of overpriced-but-easily-available takeout options.

A few weeks ago I posted a picture of this salad on Instagram and Facebook and was asked to share the recipe. Ask and ye shall receive my fellow Chinese Chicken Salad enthusiasts. This colorful mix features a plethora of tastes and textures, from shredded purple cabbage and tender chicken to toasted almonds and crisp cucumber batons. All that healthy goodness is tossed in a homemade sesame dressing.

You’ll want to go ahead and splurge on this low-fat favorite now because next week it’s all about the butter. (Two words: apple pie.)

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Chinese Chicken Salad with Sesame Dressing

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Prep Time: 20 min

Ingredients:

For the salad:
4 cups shredded cooked chicken (See Kelly's Notes)
3 cups shredded Romaine lettuce
2 cups shredded purple cabbage
2 scallions, thinly sliced (white and green parts)
1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced into batons
1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1 cup crispy chow mein noodles

For the dressing:
3 Tablespoons sesame oil
1/4 cup seasoned rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 Tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh black pepper

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine all of the salad ingredients, tossing until well mixed.

In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients and then pour over the salad, tossing to coat.

Kelly's Notes:

I buy a rotisserie chicken and shred the meat (discarding the skin). It's fast, fresh and just enough meat for 4 to 6 servings.