Equipment
Ingredients
Salad Base
- 400 g cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
- 100 g celery, finely diced
- 30 g scallions, thinly sliced
Wasabi-Tahini Dressing
- 60 g tahini, well-stirred
- 30 ml lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 10 g wasabi paste
- 5 ml sesame oil
- 30 ml water, warm
- 3 g salt
Garnish
- 5 g sesame seeds, toasted
Nutrition (per serving)
Nutrition is estimated per serving. Nutrients without complete source data are omitted.
Full nutrition
- Calories
- 378 kcal
- Protein
- 28 g
- Carbohydrates
- 15 g
- Fat
- 23 g
- Fiber
- 3 g
- Sugar
- 1 g
- Sodium
- 605 mg
- Saturated Fat
- 5 g
- Monounsaturated Fat
- 9 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat
- 7 g
- Cholesterol
- 85 mg
- Potassium
- 378 mg
- Calcium
- 116 mg
- Iron
- 3.0 mg
- Magnesium
- 49 mg
- Phosphorus
- 314 mg
- Zinc
- 1.9 mg
- Vitamin A
- 30 mcg
- Vitamin C
- 5 mg
- Vitamin D
- 0.1 mcg
- Vitamin E
- 1.3 mg
- Vitamin K
- 25 mcg
- Vitamin B6
- 0.5 mg
- Vitamin B12
- 0.3 mcg
- Thiamin
- 0.33 mg
- Riboflavin
- 0.25 mg
- Niacin
- 11.5 mg
- Folate
- 46 mcg
- Water
- 99 g
Sources: Aggregated Public Data, USDA FoodData Central
Method
In a small mixing bowl, vigorously whisk together the tahini, lime juice, wasabi paste, sesame oil, and salt. The mixture may initially seize and thicken.
Gradually whisk the warm water into the tahini mixture, 10ml at a time, until the dressing becomes smooth, creamy, and pourable.
Place the shredded cooked chicken breast, diced celery, and sliced scallions into a large mixing bowl.
Pour the wasabi-tahini dressing over the chicken and vegetables. Toss thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds before serving.
Chef's Notes
- Wasabi potency varies wildly between brands. Start with the recommended 10g and add more if you prefer a sharper sinus-clearing effect.
- Using a high-quality, pourable tahini makes emulsifying the dressing much easier. If your tahini is dry at the bottom of the jar, process it in a food processor first to reincorporate the separated oils.
- For the best texture contrast, use chilled, freshly roasted or poached chicken breast rather than canned chicken.
Storage
Refrigerator: 3 days — Store in an airtight container.
Troubleshooting
Dressing is too thick or seized
Cause: Tahini naturally seizes when acidic ingredients like lime juice are added
Fix: Whisk in additional warm water, 5ml at a time, until smooth and creamy
Prevention: Ensure tahini is well-stirred before measuring
Salad lacks punch
Cause: Wasabi paste lost its potency or not enough salt was used
Fix: Stir in an additional 2-3g of wasabi paste and a pinch of salt
Prevention: Use a fresh tube of wasabi paste and taste the dressing before mixing with the chicken
Cultural Context
This fusion recipe bridges the gap between East Asian and Middle Eastern flavor profiles. It pairs the creamy, nutty essence of Mediterranean tahini with the sharp, volatile heat of Japanese wasabi, creating a unique, egg-free alternative to traditional mayonnaise-based chicken salads.
