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    Home » Recipes » Asian Salad Recipes

    Chinese Cauliflower Salad with Shredded Chicken

    Published: Jun 2, 2020 · Modified: Jan 13, 2021 by The Devil Wears Salad

    Jump to Recipe
    Chinese Cauliflower Salad with Shredded Chicken
    Chinese Cauliflower Salad with Chicken and Chives
     

    This lean and healthy Chinese Cauliflower Salad celebrates quintessential Asian flavours with a new kid on the block. The sweet and tender stalks of this new vegetable mixed through with a clean protein is simply delicious!

    Chinese Cauliflower Salad with Shredded Chicken | The Devil Wears Salad

    Why I Love Chinese Cauliflower Salad with Shredded Chicken

    I created this salad recipe for 2 reasons. Firstly, because I absolutely love this Chinese cauliflower vegetable and because Phenie wanted more chicken salad recipes.

    So, I thought I’d take advantage of the Chinese cauliflower being in season and created this healthy Asian chicken salad.

    Be sure to also check out our other chicken recipes: Gochujang Chicken Salad with Noodles and Tofu and Gluten Free Pasta Salad with Tarragon Mustard Chicken

    The inspiration of using Chinese cooking wine and ginger is something we have done for a very long time. It’s a marriage made in heaven.

    After being on holiday again and eating gluttonously, I needed something lean and healthy. Love how my everyday culinary desires help to dictate my creations!

    The outcome was stupendous!

    The only problem was I ate this Chinese cauliflower vegetable all day and by the end of dinner I was in so much pain! My tummy felt like it was cramping for hours. I think I just worked out I don’t have a huge intolerance for the cruciferous family of vegetables! LOL!

    What is Chinese Cauliflower?

    To be honest with you, I’m a little confused. And whilst I’d like to think I know a fair bit about vegetables because we consume so much of it, the Chinese cauliflower has got me stumped.

    In the few grocers I have been, this vegetable is labelled as Chinese cauliflower. But I have also seen the same vegetable called caulilini.

    Have you heard of caulilini? Having done some research in a bid to find the right terminology for this vegetable, I have come to my own personal conclusion as to what it’s really called.

    I have also seen it called caulini and baby cauliflower.

    Caulilini™ is a patented product by Mann™, the vegetable division of Del Monte Fresh Produce in California. They launched this new vegetable in mid-2018 after having field trials for over a year.

    The caulilini™ was met with great enthusiasm with many chefs loving the new kid on the block.

    Mann™ are the same people who created the now heavily consumed broccolini. Whilst this vegetable is a hybrid of the humble gai lan and broccoli, the caulilini™ is a pure cauliflower.

    So, my theory is that because they are still relatively new on the market, a proper caulilini™ is one that is supplied by this American producer. Much like you can only call Champagne a Champagne if it comes from the region of Champagne.

    I reckon that there are now plenty of caulilini™ producers out there, growing their own version of the vegetable but because it doesn’t come from Del Monte Fresh Produce in California, it can’t be called caulilini™.

    So Chinese cauliflower it is! The same as sparkling wine is to Champagne, Chinese cauliflower is to caulilini™.

    And after all that, I believe the 2 vegetables are the same!

    Chinese cauliflower or caulilini

    How Did I Discover Chinese Cauliflower?

    This has got to be one of my new favourite vegetables to stir fry and I will never forget the first time I ever tried it.

    I went out on a girls’ night out to the illustrious Flower Drum restaurant. Flower Drum is not only the best Chinese restaurant in Melbourne but was also for many years THE BEST restaurant in Melbourne, full stop.

    Chinese fine dining at its best with senior waiters in impeccable black suits and white gloves. A place where silver service is still prevalent and expertly executed.

    Anyway, we ordered the Chinese cauliflower stir fry of which it was simply fried in garlic. Nothing else. The chefs prepared it to perfection. They cooked it to the point where it just surpassed al dente but far from being overcooked and limp.

    The stems were crunchy yet tender and it was sweeter than the regular cauliflower. I have yet to be able to replicate that faultlessness at home but I’ve come pretty close!

    I remember thinking how such a simple dish could have such a great impact.

    Chinese cauliflower or caulilini florets

    How to Make Chinese Cauliflower Salad with Shredded Chicken

    How to Cook the Chicken Tenderloins

    For this recipe, I want to cook the lean chicken tenderloin strips in quintessential Chinese ingredients.

    In a small saucepan on medium to high heat, bring 2 cups of chicken broth to the boil.

    Then, add 3 tbsp of Chinese cooking wine and 4 slices of ginger into the broth. The ginger adds a little warmth and zing to the broth and if you love ginger as much as we do, learn more about what other ingredients goes with ginger for your next salad creation.

    Chinese cooking wine with ginger and Chinese cauliflower

    Once it starts to boil, add the chicken tenderloin strips and boil for 10 minutes.

    Remove the chicken and set aside to cool. Shred the chicken by pulling the flesh apart with your fingers. Set aside.

    With the leftover broth, I used it to cook some rice. I poured the broth, including the ginger, into the rice cooker and topped it up with water. Trust me, it is seriously so delicious! Chicken flavoured rice is so yum.

    Shredded chicken tenderloin

    How to Stir Fry the Chinese Cauliflower

    Cut the Chinese cauliflower into small florets.

    On medium to high heat, add ½ tbsp of avocado oil into a wok. Once that is hot, add 1 chopped garlic clove. Fry for 45 seconds.

    Add the Chinese cauliflower followed by ¼ cup of water into the wok. Stir fry for 2 minutes.

    Add another ¼ cup of water and stir fry for another 2 minutes. If all the water continues to dry up, add another ¼ cup and fry for another 2 minutes.

    Once that is cooked, remove the cooked Chinese cauliflower with a pair of tongs. Do not scoop it out or pour it out as we don’t want the garlic or the sauce for the salad.

    How to Prepare the Rest of The Salad

    Cut a handful of purple coral lettuce thinly.

    Cut the chives about 3 cm in length to yield ½ cup.

    How to Prepare Plum and Ginger Dressing

    Peel the ginger and grate enough to yield 1 ½ tsp.

    In a small mixing bowl, add the rice wine vinegar, olive oil, plum sauce and grated ginger until well combined.

    Whole ginger and sliced ginger

    How to Assemble Chinese Cauliflower Salad

    This is a simple one. No layering involved!

    Add all the ingredients of the salad into a large mixing bowl.

    Pour the dressing on the salad and toss until well combined.

    On a large serving plate, place the mixed salad in a heap and serve immediately.

    Caulilini, Chinese cauliflower or whatever you wish to call it, just do yourself a favour and go and get some. You’ll never turn back.

    Mix it through with lean shredded chicken and you’ll have yourself a meal on its own, a great lunch to pack for work or a great side to have at dinner.

    That’s all!

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    Salad dressings are incredibly easy to make in the comfort of your own home. This way you can control the ingredients to suit your palate and you can make the exact portion you need for that one meal. Check out our collection!

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    Chinese Cauliflower Salad with Shredded Chicken

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    Chinese Cauliflower Salad with Shredded Chicken
    Print Recipe
    5 from 16 votes

    Chinese Cauliflower Salad with Shredded Chicken

    This lean and healthy Chinese Cauliflower Salad celebrates quintessential Asian flavours with a new kid on the block. The sweet and tender stalks of this new vegetable mixed through with a clean protein is simply delicious!
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time20 mins
    Total Time40 mins
    Course: Salad
    Cuisine: Asian
    Dietary: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Nut Free
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 144kcal
    Author: Amy Chung

    Ingredients

    Salad

    • 2 cup chicken broth
    • 3 tbsp Chinese cooking wine
    • 4 slices ginger
    • 4 chicken tenderloin
    • 1 Chinese cauliflower
    • ½ tbsp avocado oil
    • 1 garlic clove
    • ¾ cup water, divided
    • 1 handful lettuce, purple coral
    • ½ cup chives, chopped

    Salad Dressing

    • 1 ½ ginger, grated
    • 4 tbsp rice wine vinegar
    • 2 tbsp plum sauce
    • 1 tbsp olive oil

    Click on the toggle below for conversion to US Cooking Units.

    Instructions

    Salad

    • In a small saucepan on medium to high heat, bring 2 cups of chicken broth to the boil. Add 3 tbsp of Chinese cooking wine and 4 slices of ginger into the broth. Once it starts to boil, add the chicken tenderloin strips and boil for 10 minutes.
      Remove the chicken and set aside to cool. Shred the chicken by pulling the flesh apart with your fingers. Set aside.
    • Cut the Chinese cauliflower into small florets.
      On medium to high heat, add ½ tbsp of avocado oil into a wok. Once that is hot, add 1 chopped garlic clove. Fry for 45 seconds.
      Add the Chinese cauliflower followed by ¼ cup of water into the wok. Stir fry for 2 minutes. Add another ¼ cup of water and stir fry for another 2 minutes. If all the water continues to dry up, add another ¼ cup and fry for another 2 minutes. Once that is cooked, remove the cooked Chinese cauliflower with a pair of tongs. Do not scoop it out or pour it out as we don’t want the garlic or the sauce for the salad.
    • Cut a handful of purple coral lettuce thinly.
    • Cut the chives about 3 cm in length to yield ½ cup.

    Salad Dressing

    • Peel the ginger and grate enough to yield 1 ½ tsp.
    • In a small mixing bowl, add the rice wine vinegar, plum sauce, olive oil and grated ginger until well combined.

    Assembly

    • Add all the ingredients of the salad into a large mixing bowl.
    • Pour the dressing on the salad and toss until well combined.
    • On a large serving plate, place the mixed salad in a heap.
    • Serve immediately.

    Notes

    • You can use any cut of chicken for this recipe. Tenderloin strips were chosen as it is leaner and it is easier to shred. The breast is also easy to shred.
    • If you’re unable to source Chinese cauliflower, regular cauliflower is good to use. You can even use broccolini or broccoli if you prefer.
    • If you’re shopping in the Asian grocery store for chives, ensure you don’t buy the garlic chives by mistake as it is simply too strong a flavour when eaten raw.
    • If you don’t have a wok, a large fry pan will do. Ensure it has a bit of depth though as it will make the stir-frying process less messy.
    • You can find Chinese cooking wine easily in any Asian grocer.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 144kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 617mg | Potassium: 759mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 251IU | Vitamin C: 81mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1mg

    *Disclaimer: Nutritional information provided is an estimate only and generated by an online calculator.

    Tried this recipe? We’d Love To See It!Mention @thedevilwearssalad or tag #thedevilwearssalad!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jennifer Talley

      June 05, 2020 at 1:26 pm

      5 stars
      I’ve never tried Chinese Cauliflower! This recipe looks
      Amazing! Can’t wait to try it!

      Reply
      • The Devil Wears Salad

        June 09, 2020 at 10:40 am

        Hope you’ll be able to find it one day. It’s so crunchy, sweet and nutty. Try your Asian grocers.

        Reply
    2. Maren

      June 04, 2020 at 9:03 am

      5 stars
      This salad looks so good I love the green and purple colors

      Reply
      • The Devil Wears Salad

        June 09, 2020 at 10:39 am

        We love green and purple in our salads too!

        Reply
    3. Sabrina

      June 04, 2020 at 8:34 am

      5 stars
      I never would have tried or heard of chinese cauliflower if it weren’t for this recipe! Thanks for the recipe

      Reply
    4. Sabrina

      June 04, 2020 at 8:33 am

      5 stars
      I never would have tried or heard of chinese cauliflower if it weren’t for this recipe!

      Reply
      • The Devil Wears Salad

        June 09, 2020 at 10:39 am

        It’s not an overly common vegetable although I am seeing it more and more in a variety of supermarkets. Definitely worth a try!

        Reply
    5. Sara Rodriguez

      June 04, 2020 at 6:09 am

      I love the mix of Asian flavors with the chicken! I have to try this salad!

      Reply
      • The Devil Wears Salad

        June 09, 2020 at 10:38 am

        Thanks Sara! We think it’s a winner. Hope you’ll enjoy it.

        Reply
    6. Marina

      June 04, 2020 at 1:52 am

      5 stars
      Love this recipe, there are so many chicken salad recipes out there. This is truly unique flavour coming from Chinese cauliflower and ginger!

      Reply
      • The Devil Wears Salad

        June 09, 2020 at 10:38 am

        We agree. There are so many chicken salad recipes out there to try so we thought we’d change it up a bit and use Chinese cauliflower and create some different flavours and textures.

        Reply

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    The Devil Wears Salad Team

    United by a common love for salads, us 3 girls decided to embark on a journey to show you that you CAN win friends with salad!

    Tried and tested, these recipes are designed for all discerning home cooks. We have everything from no cook recipes right through to showstoppers. Something for everyone!

    More About Us →

    Most Popular Recipes

    • Korean Cucumber Salad – Oi Muchim (오이무침)
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