Pulled Chicken Salad Food

WARM SHREDDED CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Trim chicken of any excess fat or sinew. Slice, across grain, into 3 by 1/2 inch strips. Stir marinade ingredients together in a medium bowl. Add chicken strips and toss to evenly coat. Set aside at room temperature, uncovered, 30 minutes. It's important not to marinate any longer, or the acid in the lemon will break down the fibers of the chicken.
• Meanwhile, prepare the salad. Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Tear watercress into bitesized pieces and toss with dressing. Divide salad among 6 serving plates. Thinly slice avocado halves into strips lengthwise and arrange on salad. Reserve in refrigerator.
• To cook chicken, heat a large dry cast iron skillet over high heat 15 minutes. (Yes, 15 minutes.) Heat peanut oil for frying. Lift chicken strips from marinade, one at a time, and add to pan, standing as far away as possible to avoid splatters. Fry until dark golden brown and crisp, about 1 minute per side. Arrange about 8 hot chicken strips on each salad in a spoke pattern. Serve immediately.

SHREDDED CHICKEN SALAD WITH CABBAGE, BELL PEPPER AND CILANTRO

Steps:

• For the salad: In a large bowl, combine the green and red cabbage, chicken, the 4 scallions, bell pepper, the 1/2 cup cilantro and 1 tablespoon sesame seeds. Toss.
• For the dressing: In a blender, combine the almond butter, tamari, vinegar, honey, Sriracha, lime zest and lime juice and blend until smooth.
• Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss to combine. Let sit for a few minutes and toss again; the longer it sits the more the flavors absorb.
• Scoop into a bowl and garnish with more cilantro, scallions and sesame seeds. Serve right away or refrigerate for up to 4 days.

SHREDDED CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Mix chicken, celery, carrots, mayonnaise, relish, mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a bowl until well combined. Place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

SHREDDED CHICKEN SALAD WITH CREAMY MISO DRESSING

Steps:

• Cook bacon in a dry medium skillet over medium heat, turning slices occasionally, until brown and crisp, 5-8 minutes. Transfer to paper towels; let cool.
• Cook ginger in a small saucepan of boiling water 1 minute. Drain ginger and rinse under cold water; set aside.
• Whisk soy sauce, tahini, miso, fish sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and 2 Tbsp. lemon juice in a small bowl until smooth.
• Whisk egg yolk and remaining 2 Tbsp. lemon juice in a medium bowl to combine. Very gradually stream in 1/2 cup vegetable oil (almost drop by drop), whisking constantly until mayonnaise is emulsified and thick. Still whisking constantly, gradually add soy sauce mixture, then remaining 1/4 cup oil. Thin dressing with a tablespoon or two of water if needed; you want it to be the consistency of heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper.
• Toss chicken and 1/2 cup dressing in a large bowl to coat. Add lettuce and another 1/2 cup dressing and toss again; season with salt and pepper. Crumble bacon over.
• Transfer salad to a serving bowl or platter and drizzle another tablespoon or so of dressing over salad (you may have some left over). Top with scallions, sesame seeds, and reserved ginger.
• Do Ahead
• Dressing can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.