Chinese Chicken Salad

Lately Jim and I have LOVED eating salads in the evening. We feel better and less bloaty and full to go to bed. We have also started exercising.... I splurged and got T25, awesome workouts! But anyway, any time I run across a YUMMO looking salad I give it a try to add variety to our dinners... this one was amazing! I followed the recipe pretty much as it was written, but I garnished with just a few Chinese noodles... had them left over in the fridge and it was a good way to use them up. I love crunchy toppings on a salad. Enjoy!

Chinese Chicken Salad
adapted from America's Test Kitchen

INGREDIENTS:
2 oranges 
1/4 cup rice vinegar 
1/4 cup soy sauce 
3 tablespoons grated fresh ginger 
3 tablespoons sugar 
1 Tablespoon Asian chili-garlic sauce 
3 tablespoons vegetable oil 
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil 
4 (6- to 8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed 
2 romaine lettuce hearts (12 ounces), sliced thin 
1/2 small head Napa cabbage, cored and sliced thin (6 cups) 
2 red bell peppers, stemmed, seeded, and cut into 2-inch-long matchsticks 
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves 
1 cup salted dry-roasted peanuts, chopped 
6 scallions, sliced thin 
Chinese noodles for garnish, if desired

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Cut thin slice from top and bottom of oranges, then slice off rind and pith(the pith is the white stuff under the rind) Working over bowl, cut orange segments from thin membrane and transfer segments to second bowl; set aside. Squeeze juice from membrane into first bowl (juice should measure ¼ cup).

2. Combine orange juice, vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, sugar, and chili-garlic sauce in bowl; transfer ½ cup orange juice mixture to 12-inch skillet. Slowly whisk vegetable oil and sesame oil into remaining orange juice mixture to make vinaigrette; set aside.

3. Bring orange juice mixture in skillet to boil. Add chicken, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until meat registers 160 degrees, 10 to 15 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking. Transfer chicken to plate and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, boil pan juices until reduced to 1/4 cup, 1 to 3 minutes; set aside. Using 2 forks, shred chicken into bite-size pieces (or you can do what I did and slice into bite size pieces. Off heat, add chicken, any accumulated juices, and 2 tablespoons vinaigrette to skillet. Toss to coat and let sit for 10 minutes.

5. Toss romaine, cabbage, bell peppers, cilantro, peanuts, and scallions with remaining vinaigrette in large bowl. Transfer to serving platter and top with chicken and oranges. Garnish the top with Chinese  noodles if desired. Serve.